Romans 8:12-13

Romans  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  52:35
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This morning we continue our study in the book of Romans that we started in July of this year. We are in the middle of the the 8th chapter - and this is the chapter that we have said is the victory lap. It is so packed full of Gospel goodness. As many scholars have said “it begins with no condemnation and ends with no separation”
This is the Spirit chapter. The word spirit was used one time in chapters 1-7, it appears 21 times in the 8th. This is an incredible chapter, one that I have been stuck on for a while. It is a beautiful description of who we are in Christ.
As we look at the world around us, it is easy - so easy for us to be concerned about the things that are going on. For us to get worried - this chapter deals with that. This chapter starts with no condemnation and ends with no separation. This is the anthem of the believer. This is our comfort food. This is our blessed assurance. It is right here.
Last week I had Quinn on the scaffold and we rolled around the sanctuary - to give some sort of illustration to the idea that our heart set matters - and that with our heart set, we choose either Flesh or Spirit. We choose our long off in the distance destination, and that changes everything about what we do and what we experience between here and there. If you missed that - it’s online. We had a good time with it.
Today we are picking up where we left off last week in verse 12-13, and we will only get through those two verses today.
Romans 8:12–13 CSB
So then, brothers and sisters, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, because if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Romans 8:12–13 KJV 1900
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
I included the verse slides for King James - for one reason really… its starts the sentence a little better.
So then, he says in verse 12 - reminding us of everything we have already heard from this chapter and before… What we studied last week
The spirit of God is working to complete the work that was begun in us.
1. Changes our thinking
2. Produces life and peace in us and through us
3. Dwells in us
4. Will Resurrect us
He says because of that - we are not obligated to the flesh.
What does that mean?
To be obligated means to owe someone something. The king james and ESV say we are not debtors to the flesh to live according to the flesh.
It means we don’t have to.
Our names are no longer associated with that debt. We died to sin - we know from earlier in this book - and are no longer tied to it in any way.
So we know right off that we are dealing with our relationship with sin and the flesh. We used to have to deal with them, but we don’t any more.
Last week I mentioned my dad passing away and that he was in the hospital for 17 days before that. We were driving back and forth to Blessing hospital in quincy at least once a day - in a truck that got 9 miles to the gallon, gas prices were similar to what they are now - we were eating fast food or cafeteria food - which was more expensive. And we racked up quite a bit of credit card debt all at once. During that time - I lost my job. It wasn’t a great job, but it paid a little bit, but I lost it. And there were so many things going on - physically, mentally - that I couldn’t get another job at that time. And I didn’t. And the debt mounted. Eventually, the debt collectors started calling. And kept calling. And there was nothing we could do because they were calling. I owed them. We eventually paid all of that off - but it took years. And they kept calling. It was such an amazing feeling. Now the only people that call are asking about my extended warranty!
Being in debt that you cannot pay is a terrible situation. There is nothing good or fun about it. It is just bad.
Outside of our salvation relationship with Christ - that is our relationship with the flesh. It owns us. We owe it everything. Every drop of joy, every penny of finances, every ounce of health and peace… the flesh requires it of us.
Paul tells us once again here - we don’t owe that debt any more. We don’t have to live according to the flesh. And, he says, if you DO live according to the flesh, you will die.
So what is the other option? We know from last week - and earlier in this chapter - that we can and should be living according to the spirit! And verse 13 tells us an important part of that.
Romans 8:13 CSB
because if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
These two verses are the two of the most important verses on sanctification.
The continuing change worked by God in us, freeing us from sinful habits and forming in us Christ like affections, dispositions and virtues. It does not instantly eradicated sin, nor does it merely restrain or repress sin. Sanctification produces real transformation.
According to the Westminster Shorter Catechism (Q. 35), sanctification is "the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness." It is a continuing change worked by God in us, freeing us from sinful habits and forming in us Christlike affections, dispositions, and virtues. It does not mean that sin is instantly eradicated, but it is also more than a counteraction, in which sin is merely restrained or repressed without being progressively destroyed. Sanctification is a real transformation, not just the appearance of one.
Sanctification is a lifelong process that includes God continuing the work that He began in us, and our continued struggle against sin.
It isn’t something we can do on our own.
And it isn’t something that just happens to us.
It is the work that we partner with God to accomplish - where he provides all of the power and ability and we provide human effort dependent on God
2 Cor. 7:1 Phil. 3:10-14
Philippians 3:10–14 CSB
My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead. Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.
Heb. 12:14). Knowing that without Christ's enabling we cannot do good works, but also that He is ready to strengthen us for all we have to do (Phil. 4:13), we "abide" in Christ, asking for His help constantly-and we receive it (Col. 1:11; 1 Tim. 1:12; 2 Tim. 1:7; 2:1).
2 Corinthians 7:1 CSB
So then, dear friends, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from every impurity of the flesh and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
But Romans 8:13 reminds us that it isn’t just us in our own power. There are three parts to this verse that we need to see.
If you live according to the flesh you will die
If you put to death the deeds of the body you will live
Most important - by the spirit.
We say when we share the Gospel with someone “Jesus died for to forgive your sins, now you need to go live your life for him”
And we say that because that is how we understand it ourselves!
Without further explanation or foundation – telling someone that, that Jesus died to forgive their sins now they need to go out and do their best -results in a legalistic approach to following God – a rules based Christianity.
The person who hears that – goes one of two ways… either they oscillate in doing well at following the rules, and then failing at following the rules. Paul describes this reality in Romans 7:18-19.. that for those of us living in reality – the desire to good is there but often there is no ability to do it.
OR.
They are really good at following the rules and end up being no fun to be around. Because the rules are all they do.
We create a law for ourselves. And within that, start relying on ourselves for our salvation, giving room for sin to grow.
The most important part of that verse is right in the middle. It is the clarifying statement. How do you do the thing you are supposed to be doing? By The spirit.
So then – because of everything that has come before this. Because the spirit has changed our thinking, lives in us, will resurrect us. Because of all of these things –
I am no longer obligated to the flesh.
I don’t owe the flesh anything, because it hasn’t done anything for me.
When we recognize what God has done for us, we want to live for him with all our heart.
And we do that – through the power of the spirit.
If you live according to the flesh – you die. The canoe.
But if by the spirit – we put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
1. Recognize the presence of sin. Sin is there. The spirit is empowering us, but we do the putting to death. The spirit brings the deed to the chopping block, puts the basket in place, Hands you a very sharp ax, Even pulls that ax up into position for you…. But we have to do the putting to death. Typically God does not take away sin just because we ask him. We are instructed to Kill it. Be killing sin or it will be killing you. Col 3:5-9
Colossians 3:5–9 CSB
Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, God’s wrath is coming upon the disobedient, and you once walked in these things when you were living in them. But now, put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices
2. Refuse to entertain sinful thoughts James 1:14 If we don’t kill sin at the point of desire – we have very little chance to kill it. You know the problem with your mind? The problem with your mind is that your mind knows what your mind likes. Kill it. If you just push it away – its going to come back stronger. We don’t just push it out of our minds.. we pull it out into the light and shoot the stupid thing. Ask God to help you hate it.
James 1:14 CSB
But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire.
3. Set your heart on God. Col 3:1-2
Colossians 3:1–2 CSB
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
4. Read the bible Ps 119:11
Psalm 119:11 CSB
I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.
Ephesians 6:16–17 CSB
In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God.
The one offensive weapon, used for killing, is the sword of the spirit!
Galatians 3:5 CSB
So then, does God give you the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law? Or is it by believing what you heard—
We read the word of God, and we trust in it.
5. Pray. A lot. Matthew 26:41
Matthew 26:41 CSB
Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
6. Repent when you have fallen. You won’t get it every time. Psalm 32:5 Don’t heal yourself too quickly – its good to be broken hearted that you have offended God. You also can’t’ stay there. You cant wallow in the ashes of a dead fire forever.
Those are our efforts. When we put forth those efforts, we are met with the power of the creator of the universe.
When we put forth our efforts, we are met with the might of the Lord of Hosts.
When we Recognize and kill sin - we acknowledge the work already done on the cross.
Hebrews 13:5–6 CSB
Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you. Therefore, we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Temptation: Unrighteous dealings because of a love of money.
Response:
Recognize that the sin is there, the sin that is loving money
Don’t entertain Sinful thoughts. Be satisfied.
Set your heart on God. For HE.
Weaponize the word. Has said: I will never leave you nor forsake you”
Pray… The lord is my helper I will not fear. What can man do to me.
6. Repent, if you mess it up.
If we can do those things… We live.
Numbers 6:24–26 CSB
“May the Lord bless you and protect you; may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace.” ’
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