Obligatory

One definition I found for obligatory was this:

1. creating or recording an obligation, as a document.

It reminds me of 2 Cor. 3:6, “The letter killeth” and Rom. 7:11 which paraphrased, “Sin used the law (even a self-imposed law in my heart) as a basis of attack against me to eventually kill me.” Glory!

Romans 8:14 speaks of being led by the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty, 2 Cor. 3:17.

According to the New Covenant given by the Testator, Jesus Christ, we walk in liberty in the Spirit of God and not obligation. I am not obligated to serve Jesus Christ. Hebrews 10:5-10 clearly indicates I am not obligated to serve God. I will not serve God and His Son Jesus because I have to. Otherwise, Christ’s death was for nothing.

Christ wills in me, by revelation of Himself in me, to do and be, Col. 1:29. My righteousness is by His faith in me, not by obedience to a “do and do not do” list. The “do and do not do” list can only bring knowledge of sin and that is one of its purposes.

The law brings knowledge of sin. The revelation of Christ imparts His faith and righteousness by grace.

If walking in the Spirit is obligatory. It is not walking in the Spirit. It is religion. We are in His rest from dead works, Heb. 4:3. So, one might say, “Well, sometimes we are obligated.” No, we are not sometimes obligated. If we are reacting on any obligation we are rebuilding that which was destroyed, Gal. 2:18.

In contrast and no comparison, there is an obedience that exists because of the body of Christ Himself, Rom. 1:5, Heb. 10:10, John 17:17,19. This obedience is imparted, diffused through osmosis by grace in the revelation of Christ. As I grow in the revelation of Him, there is a righteousness revealed from faith to faith, glory to glory, Last Adamic pattern to another Last Adamic pattern according to Christ and His eternal nature. In the unveiling of His nature and Him, His will diffuses into my will and my will diffuses into His. This all occurs by grace again and again and again with no end because it is His nature. Glory!!!