Pentecost 9

Readings: Isaiah 55:10-13; Psalm 65; Romans 8:12-17 (sermon text); and Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23.

Thank God the Holy Spirit more often for giving us the Scriptures! Today's Romans text is an excellent example. Paul makes three points:

1. "Brothers" - fellow Christians - "we are debtors." What? Didn't Jesus remove our debt? Yes, but ours is a different debt. We owe none to Satan - for "if you live according to the flesh, you will die." Rather, our debt is to the rescuing Spirit of life.
2. Verse 14 says that we are unique debtors. We are children of God - not of Satan, a taskmaster who is never satisfied - and so we are debtors to our Father. Think of our work not as a job (always working) but as joyful living for God (most decidedly NOT a taskmaster!).
3. We, adopted by God, call Him "Abba" ("Daddy!") and, being thus children of God, under His care, are heirs. But debtors and heirs? Our inheritance shows up in two ways: suffering (a necessary part of our lives) and our eventual permanent life with Him (after all, He has promised to prepare a room for each of us).

"Bearing witness" - the Spirit doesn't use our fickle emotions as a foundation to do so. How, then? He uses God's infallible Word: the Father has given His only begotten Son for us!

Thank God that it all depends on Him!