Paul speaks to the instrumentality of Christ’s advent in that the second Person of the Godhead was sent by the Father; that is “sending” (πέμψας, aorist active participle) Christ in the likeness of sinful man. However; as Christ remained in a sinless condition, His death was an acceptable ransom for the elect; that is those who are changed by God ontologically in position initially and then fully consummated in the glorified state. The divine result is that those who have been regenerated by the Spirit of life “walk” (περιπατοῦσιν, present active participle) not out of habit but out of the changed nature. Paul contrasts these to those who “live” (here the word ὄντες, present active participial form of εἰμί “to be”) according to the flesh. What is in play here is simply a difference in being or ontology. Those who are the children of God “walk” or intentionally make conscience decisions based on the admonitions of the Lord while those who are of the flesh just do what is natural for them to do; it is their nature to “live” this way. Let one not forget that the “being” in this state of lost depravity does not always manifest itself in wanton paganality. Paul has already addressed both the pagan and the religious as being equally condemned apart from the regeneration of the Holy Spirit working through the blood of Christ’s atonement. What all of the lost world is lacking in is the indwelling of the Spirit of life; the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit no one can please God and God’s just wrath is what they will receive. Obviously, for those who have received the gift of the indwelling Spirit of life, not only is judgment averted but adoption is enacted. The believer has been granted an heirship in the family of God. Although adoption is many times couched in terms of privilege or the reception of an honored title, as Paul continues to discuss the sanctification process he highlights not the honor of adoption but the debt. “So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” It seems that many in faith life today have missed this point as evidenced by the licentiousness so prevalent in many congregations. It would be bad enough if this were due to the weakness of “seeker” theology that is insufficient to confront unrepentant sin in lieu of universally embracing any behavior. But the real root of the problem is that many see their adoption as being license to live however they choose with the result being an apathy toward holiness that refuses to consider confronting any sin on the basis that grace has been endued and salvation requirements met. Under this stratum, the end goal of “going to heaven” has been achieved and there is simply no other requirement imposed upon the child of God. This way of thinking is in great error and the Apostle would not and does not condone such theology. In fact, Paul speaks to the ongoing requirement of the elect to live in keeping with their newly acquired name; the name of Christ, and not to bring shame and dishonor to the family name of Christ through sinful behaviors and attitudes. Ultimately, the “proof is in the pudding” so to speak. Those who have been adopted understand this principle and live striving for the honor of their heavenly Father. This choice brings the elect into direct conflict with those who have not received such adoption and are in open opposition to those who have. The ensuing suffering stands as evidence in the present temporal frame of the fact that one has been adopted into the family and not the expressed freedom to do whatever one wishes. If this dichotomy of thought is absent in the life of the supposed believer, they may very well have religion but not adoption.
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