Romans 8:1-13, Notes

Dear Study Warriors:
     If you are in our Sunday School class, would you please let me know that you received this Blog Update so I know I have your addresses correct, etc.  Thanks so much.  May God bless you as you continue to study and meditate on His word!  Blessings to you, Rich and Deb


                                      “Spirit-Led Living”

By Pastor Rich Paradis

Romans 8:1-13

 

As we move forward in our study of the letter to the Romans, we now find ourselves at one of the high points of the entire epistle. We have considered the antidote to the poison (the Gospel), the poison itself (sin), justification by faith, and now we are thinking through the incredible doctrine of sanctification. Paul has led us by way of a very tight, logical case through each of these areas. The chapter will be no different as we consider the believer’s life led by the Spirit and its opposite, the life led by the things of the flesh. Let’s look together and make applications.

 

 

Words used frequently in the passage:

Flesh = 13

Spirit = 12

God, Christ Jesus, Christ, Him, His, = 16

Death, Die = 7

Live, living, life, dwells, alive = 10

 

 

I.                    A Summary of Romans 3:21-7:25    Romans 8:1-4

a.       If one were making a direct connection from the end of Romans 7 only to the “therefore” that starts chapter 8, he or she might be very confused. Paul has just shown us the battle that is going on in the believer’s heart as he fights to live a life that honors God. He did it by way of a very transparent look into his own life and the battle with trying to do right in his own power versus dependence on the power of God within him to win over sin and its trajectories.

                                                               i.      I read a great quote this week that I think relates to this battle. It said, “the unsaved person must be strong to be strong, while the believer in contrast must be weak to be truly strong.” In other words, we can’t win this battle in our own strength. We will need the strength of our Savior to win over ongoing sinful patterns in our lives.

b.      As we open chapter 8, we are not looking at a “therefore” that only connects to that just before it. We are looking at a connection to the last 4+ chapters of this letter. And in this connection, we are going to see the connection between our  justification and our sanctification moving forward.

c.       Verse 1 is so powerful and so full of meaning. Following the “therefore”, we are led to a great truth. That is, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Let’s break the sentence apart to wring some of the meaning from it:

                                                               i.      “there  is no condemnation” – What an incredible statement of truth and comfort! The enemy (through many means) will try to convince you that condemnation is all around you. (See Vs.34) It comes in the form of legalism. It comes in the form of judgment from others. It even comes from inside the believer. But the Bible tells us right here that there is no condemnation, or damnatory sentence that can be levied against…

                                                             ii.      “those who are in Christ Jesus” – The believer is given a great benefit in the opening words of this passage. The Law was able to point out, stimulate, and even condemn sin. But it could not provide the answer to, “how do I escape this condemnation?”

1.      Some interesting questions arise from this verse that again provide a review to that which we’ve already considered in the book of Romans:

a.       How do I escape this condemnation?

b.      How do I get “in Christ Jesus”?

c.       How could this happen if our salvation was based on our actions instead of our acceptance of His actions?

d.      Verse 2 continues the thought with the explanation. The controlling power of the indwelling Holy Spirit is the key for the believer that is moving forward in his practical sanctification. 1 Corinthians 15:45 tells us that Christ is that life-giving spirit that made this possible. The work of Jesus Christ at the cross and in His resurrection will be intricately tied to our ongoing sanctification. This “spirit of life in Christ Jesus” is contrasted with the law of sin and of death that is the controlling power of sin which eventually brings death. The result of living in Christ is “being set free”. What a powerful thing to consider. We are not being set free to do it our own way; we are being set free to do it His way! How was this freedom gained?

e.       Verse 3 goes on to say that what the Law couldn’t do, God did. Paul demonstrated with his own life in the previous section that the flesh is weak. But God sent His Son, not in sinful flesh, but in the likeness of sinful flesh as an offering for sin. With that offering, he condemned sin and fleshly desire. A few things are worth noting:

                                                               i.      Our Savior was not sinful – He was sent “in the likeness” of sinful flesh. That is, He looked like sinful mankind.

                                                             ii.      “Sinful flesh” is that life that is merely human nature apart from divine influence. This life is prone to sin and opposed to God.

                                                            iii.      An offering had to made for the sins of mankind – God is not uninterested in sin. It must be judged.

f.        Verse 4 reminds us again that the law is not gone from the life of the believer. It is not a part of salvation, but it is an ongoing moral and ethical guide. The believer’s life is now led by the Spirit. He or she doesn’t walk “by flesh”, but by the Spirit of life, Christ.

 

II.                 An Explanation by Contrasts    Romans 8:5-11

a.       In Verse 5a, we are introduced to the one who live their lives according to the flesh, the unregenerate. This  person has set his or her mind on the things of the flesh. What are these things? Galatians 5:19-21 gives us a pretty good start to a list.

b.      Verse 5b continues with the contrast to this person noted above. The contrast is found in the person living according to the Spirit. This person finds his or her joy in living by the things of the Spirit. What are these things? Again, Galatians 5 offers us some insight. Look at Galatians 5:22-25 and you will see a good start at a list related to this life.

c.       Verse 6 will give us another contrast between the life lived for the flesh versus the one lived in the Spirit. Verse 6a tells us that the one living for the flesh will have his mind set on flesh. Look at the result of living this way…death. Death here is noted to be “all the miseries arising from sin, which would at least include a loss of life consecrated to God and the blessings of that life found here.

d.      Verse 6b shows us the contrast to this above-noted lifestyle; life and peace. Death versus life and peace. The choice seems easy.

e.       Verse 7-8 turn up the heat exponentially. It says that the person living their life with a mindset of “flesh first” is actually hostile to God. Do you ever think of sin as “being hostile” to God? Look at James 4:4 for an additional verse that shivers the heart of one considering this “life lived for fleshly desires”. This life is not even interested in the law of God. This life cannot please God…

f.        Verse 9 reminds the reader of his or her position in Christ. Unlike the one who lives for the “flesh”, the believer is “in the Spirit”. Again, it is noted that the difference between positions is salvation which is found only in Christ. In contrast to the one noted above, the believer lives in one of the great results of his or her regeneration; new power over temptation and sin.

g.       Verse 10 notes that the body still subject to physical death, but the believer is “alive” with the righteousness of Christ.

h.       Look at Verse 11. There is a great view of the Triune Godhead in Spirit-Led living. It says that the Spirit of Him who raised Christ from the dead (the Father) dwells in you. Jesus Christ is noted as the One who was raised from the dead for our salvation. And the blessed Holy Spirit is given to dwell in those who are “in Christ”.

 

III.               What shall I do?    Romans 8:12-13

a.       It is interesting to note again the addressees of this letter. It is “brethren”, those who are in Christ but continue to struggle with the same things that Paul himself noted in the previous chapter.

b.      Verse 12-13 seem to have an implied question and answer in them. The question is, “who am under obligation to?” And Paul takes no time in answering that question. He says that we are not under obligation (one held by duty) to the flesh or the lifestyle of those living for the flesh. That will spell nothing but death. On the other hand, we who are in Christ are to live in obligation, or duty, to the Spirit. How do we do this? By putting to death the deeds of the body, those things that demonstrate our allegiance to fleshly pursuit. If we do this, life is the result. This life is a sanctified, set apart life that glorifies the One who purchased this life for us.

 

IV.              An Application For All Of Us

a.       Regeneration in Christ by the Spirit of God is intimately correlated with the mutual indwelling of the believer, the Spirit, and Christ. In this connection, we see both justification and sanctification being demonstrated before our very eyes.