Word for Today - 5 Nov 2026
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“We have an obligation.” Romans 8:12 NIV
Fulfill your obligation to the Lord
Paul wrote: “We have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live” (vv. 12-13 NIV). Obligation: it isn’t your favourite word, is it? That’s because we interpret it in a negative light. Don’t think of it as something you have to do but as something you get to do. Our greatest obligation doubles as our greatest opportunity—surrendering our lives to the lordship of Christ. Can you think of any greater privilege than being used by God to help fulfill His eternal purposes? The word “obligation” means to be legally or morally bound, and the best picture might be marriage. When you say, “I do,” at the altar, you are obligating yourself “for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part.” And when we enter into a covenant relationship with God through the new birth, two things happen. We are legally and morally bound to Him, and He is legally and morally bound to us. The gospel demands that we give all of ourselves to God. But when we do, God gives all of Himself to us. Think of the benefits of such a trade-off! You’ll never get a better deal. The trade-off also gives full veto power to the Holy Spirit. But once again, that’s a good obligation. Why? Because He will take you places you can’t go and do things in and through you that are otherwise impossible.
Fulfill your obligation to the Lord
Paul wrote: “We have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live” (vv. 12-13 NIV). Obligation: it isn’t your favourite word, is it? That’s because we interpret it in a negative light. Don’t think of it as something you have to do but as something you get to do. Our greatest obligation doubles as our greatest opportunity—surrendering our lives to the lordship of Christ. Can you think of any greater privilege than being used by God to help fulfill His eternal purposes? The word “obligation” means to be legally or morally bound, and the best picture might be marriage. When you say, “I do,” at the altar, you are obligating yourself “for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part.” And when we enter into a covenant relationship with God through the new birth, two things happen. We are legally and morally bound to Him, and He is legally and morally bound to us. The gospel demands that we give all of ourselves to God. But when we do, God gives all of Himself to us. Think of the benefits of such a trade-off! You’ll never get a better deal. The trade-off also gives full veto power to the Holy Spirit. But once again, that’s a good obligation. Why? Because He will take you places you can’t go and do things in and through you that are otherwise impossible.
