Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. (Rom. 8:12)
Expanded Passage: Romans 8:12-13
Whether through war or hardships in life, some Albanian women have lost their husbands. These widows are easy to spot. Most dress in black until the day they die. They might not celebrate special events or even sing for the first year after a husband’s death. Most likely, they will never remarry. They remain in a state of perpetual mourning for the husbands they have lost. Cultural tradition obliges them to honor their husbands in this way.
Spiritually, at one time it was as if we were clothed in black because we lived according to the flesh and were destined to die if we did not choose to live according to the Spirit. Even though we were physically living, we did not know the hope of eternal life that God offers us.
How amazing to realize that God has given us the right to live again! With God’s help, we can throw off those habits and customs of our old fleshly nature! Our obligation is to leave death and our old sinful nature behind to embrace our new spiritual one. We are encouraged to be filled with God’s love and joy. While we may mourn some years we wasted not living for God, God gives us hope of new life now and for eternity.
Throw off the “mourning clothes” of your fleshly nature.
Caryl Aukerman is a wife and mother of three and has served with Global Partners for over seventeen years as a missionary in the country of Albania.
© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
