Romans 8

Our Walk In the Spirit

Romans 8:1–39 NKJV

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Therefore, brethren, 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. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Key Verse: Romans 8: 13

Romans 8:13 NKJV

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.

Scripture Lesson

Romans 8:1–9 NKJV

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

INTRODUCTION

“We have just studied in Romans 7 the spiritual defeat of the unregenerated. In chapter 8 we will learn the basis for the victorious life of a born-again Christian.

We learn in verses 1-4 that those who have been filled with the Spirit of Christ and walk after His Spirit are no longer under condemnation.

This is the Lord’s answer to the question of Romans 7:24, “Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” This deliverance can only come through the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 7:25). The law of the Spirit of Christ Jesus does for us what the law of Moses, or any other law, could never do. If there had been a law given that could have given life, righteousness should have been by the Law (Galatians 3:21). A law can force people to do what they do not want to do or put them behind bars, but it cannot make them righteous. One may even reform his life to a certain degree, but he can only be made righteous by God’s gift of life in the Holy Ghost (Romans 5:17).

“For this reason it was essential for Jesus to redeem men from sin and death by His death and give them a portion of His resurrection life (Hebrews 2:14-15).

When one has been filled with the Holy Ghost, he must no longer walk after the flesh to satisfy its desires and appetites.

He now has power to walk after the Spirit, by which he fulfills the righteous law of God. Verses 5-10 contrast the walk in the Spirit with the walk in the flesh that is concerned only with the temporal and material things of life.

This is to be carnally (naturally) minded, which will eventually lead to eternal death.

To walk after the Spirit means to be wholly concerned with pleasing God and obeying His will.

The carnal mind is contrary to the will of God and cannot please Him. But he whose mind has been transformed by the Spirit of God is in harmony with His will and will be led by His Spirit (verse 14).

Paul admonished all, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind...

Even a cursory search of the sacred pages of the Scripture reveals the holiness of God and the depravity of man. Further searching reveals a tender love and compassion emanating from God toward man.

Man was created to live according to God's commandment to be holy.

Yet, the mind of man was so impaired by the Fall, and so beclouded by sin, that the love God has for man is not always readily perceived. (For this and other reasons four thousand years were required to prepare the world for the promised Savior).

Often the life and fellowship the Christian has with the Lord Jesus Christ is referred to as a "walk."

The Apostle Paul admonished the Christians to, "Walk in the Spirit." To many, however, this seems harsh and hard. Why? Because a spiritual "walk" with the Lord requires holiness. "He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy" (I Peter 1:15-16)

We must not forget that God is love, an it is only through His laws and commandments that there is everlasting goodness

"And now...what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the comments of the Lord, and His Statutes… for thy good? Deuteronomy 10: 12-13

I. LIVE IN THE SPIRIT

"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:24-25).

Deep inside of every man lives a spirit which is the very essence of his being.

God created man a free moral agent.

He gave him the freedom to choose right or wrong on his own accord. Only like this could a man become a moral being of worth, walking in a just and upright manner before his Creator.

"For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God" (I Corinthians 2:11).

Man's knowledge of himself lies within his own spirit, and his knowledge of God comes only through the Spirit of God as He reveals Himself to the spirit of man.

A. The Heredity of Sin (let’s talk about)

Man was created holy, but by a willful transgression of a specific commandment man lost his uprightness and holiness before God.

"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned"

(Romans 5:12).

Sin, which brought the penalty of death to man, was admitted into the humans heart by the consent of man, himself and in direct opposition to the will of God.

However this did not change God nor His attitude toward the necessary essentiality of man's spiritual uprightness before Him.

The willful disobedience of man changed him from being holy to unholy, unclean, and corrupt.

Man cannot save himself from this sad condition. "Because the carnal mind is At enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Romans 8:7).

"God is a Spirit" (John 4:24), and can only be known spiritually. But fallen man is alienated from all that is truly spiritual.

Unless he is born again of the water and Spirit, supernaturally brought from death into light, he cannot see or apprehend the things of God.

(See Ephesians 5:14 and John 3:3.)

B. A Greater Law "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Romans 8:2-4).

The Law given unto man was holy, just, and good; but man whose spirit cannot be subject unto the law of God, remained condemned under the curse of sin.

Further complicating the matter, man had no desire to obey the law of God. (See Genesis 6:5 and Judges 21:25.)

Had justice taken its course, it is no doubt that man would have been banished from God's presence forever.

Is anyone thankful for His mercy??

Man had to be saved from sin and restored to his rightful place in God. It must be done by God, but not without the consent of human will.

Had God compelled man to be righteous, then man would not have been able to walk in perfection of character.

He would become nothing more than a puppet. (See Colossians 3:14.)

A sacrifice for sin had to be made, sufficient enough to satisfy the justice and moral attributes of a holy God.

To accomplish this, the incarnation of God was necessary. "God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh" (Romans8:3).

The God-man, our Advocate, Jesus Christ the righteous through the atonement at Calvary made it possible for the spirit of man to be cleansed from sin.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9).

Man then becomes the temple in which God dwells through the power of His Spirit. "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" (I Corinthians 3:16).

The Scriptures plainly teach us that the Spirit of God must govern the spirit of man, that man must be holy and that the lust of the spirit of man must die if he is to abide continually in the presence of God. It is also essential that man live an exemplary life conducive to a spiritual walk with God.

II. WALK IN THE SPIRIT

"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (II Corinthians 6:16).

In the simplest of terms, walking in the Spirit is being guided by the Holy Ghost.

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13).

Perhaps, in a deeper sense, walking in the Spirit is being identified with Jesus Christ in His crucifixion and in the power of His resurrection.

The Apostle Paul knew the Lord, but his knowledge went further than the intellect.

Paul actually belonged to the Lord Jesus Christ-spirit, soul, and body. He readily acknowledged Christ's ownership of his being.

Lets listen the cry of his soul:

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death" (Phillippians 3:10).

Our walk with the Lord is to be greaterthan our talk, but many find it easier and less costly to talk about a walk with the Lord Jesus than actually walking with Him!

Only after we have made our initial consecration of all we are and all we haveto the Lord are we ready to walk with Himin a deep spiritual walk.

Walking in the Spirit does not merely Prevent us from breaking the law.

The law operated under the principle of external restraint, but in our walk in the Spirit we are motivated internally rather than restrained externally.

Walking in the Spirit will lead the regenerated spirit of man to exercise the moral character attainable only through the

God-like virtues of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness (kindness), goodness, faith (faithfulness), meekness, temperance (self-control).

A. Walk in Love

Christianity has been defined as "love in action."

We are commanded to "walk inlove, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour" (Ephesians 5:2).

Never before or since has there been greater principles for living given than those taught in the New Testament. Jesus Christ gave unto man the perfect example. At the root of His every motive, every action, every relationship was love.

Paul summed up the whole law when he said, "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (Galatians 5:14).

What was Paul really saying?

Paul had founded the church in Galatia and had taught the "whole gospel." However (Judaizers) came in among the newly converts teaching them they must adopt the curcumsicion and Jewish feats and fasts.

Paul later wrote to the Galatian had brought a more simple doctrine: If you truly love your neighbor as yourself you will automatically fulfill the law.

Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 22:37-40.)

"And above all things have fer-vent charity (love) among yourselves" (I Peter 4:8).

Did you notice?

The Apostle Peter instructed us to have love above all things!

The Apostle John went so far as to say, "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love" (I John 4:8).

The love of God is the essential nature of God. However, even though man wascreated in the image of God this does not give man, within himself, the power to love.

To truly love man must first be filledwith God's Spirit. The love of God must be"shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us” Romans 5:5

Of all the Christian virtues given to man, there are three which tower above the rest. These three are faith, hope, and charity (love), and "the greatest of these is charity (love)" (I Corinthians 13:13).

B. Walk in Light

"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light" (Ephesians 5:8, 14).

From the very first, Jesus and the doctrine He taught was and is the Light of men. Jesus proclaimed Himself to be the Light of the world. He came that men should no longer walk in darkness, but rather have the light of life. (See John 1:8-12).

There are three things that God is said to be according to the scriptures.

"God is a Spirit" (John 4:24).

"God is Light" (I John 1:5).

“God is Love” (1 John 4:8).

These expressions relate directly to the essential nature of God, what He is in Himself.

Jesus spoke of His nature and deity when He said, "I am the light of the world." "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily"(Colossians 2:9).

Jesus Christ is only "light" to them that live and walk in Him.

"I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness"(John 12:46).

He is the spiritual Light, the righteousness and the holiness which invades the darkness of man's spirit and brings life. To refuse the Light is to continue in darkness. To forsake the Savior is to die in sin.

In comparing the "light of God" to the "darkness of man," Jesus defined the spiritual condition of carnal man.

The unregenerate have light: they are capable of making decisions concerning moral issues; they have a conscience which either "condemns or forgives," and they have the capacity to recognize the works of nature which testify to the existence of a savior so they are without excuse" (Romans

1:20).

Yet, they are void of spiritual light, continuing to do the works of the flesh, feeling about and searching in the darkness of guilt, doubt, and uncertainty.

Almost half of the New Testament is either about Paul or from his own pen.

The Bible has given us the complete story of a man who at the beginning was a most bitter enemy to the Church, but there was an experience that caused Light to shine in the darkness of this man's soul, and he became the greatest advocate of the Church.

What brought about the change? It could have been the reflection of "spiritual light" seen in the face of the dying Stephen. At the point of his conversion Paul saw that

same "spiritual light" in the fulness of its effulgence in the face of the risen Christ.

See Acts 6:15 and` Acts 9:1-6.)

C. Walk Circumspectly "See then that ye walk cirCumspectly , not as fools, but as wise" (Ephesians 5:15).

The word "circumspect" comes fromLatin word meaning "to look about; to be watchful on all sides; to examine carefully all the the circumstances that may affect an action, judgment or conduct."

Although the word circumspect is not used often in our modern vocabulary, it is certainly a word we should be mindful of every day.

"See then that ye walk circumspectly" is more than a wise saying; it is a solemn charge laid upon us by the One who cares most about us.

To this charge we should give careful consideration, lest at any time we should become overwhelmed by the lust and the pride of life.

The destiny of our soul depends upon how we spend each day of our life. All things are known unto God, and He takes special notice of both the attitudes and actions we manifest in our daily walk with Him.

Here are just a few areas where we need to "walk circumspectly."

1. Everyday life-we are "ambassadors of Christ" and we are to act accordingly.

We should not act or react on impulse, but according to the things of God. Each day, our life is viewed by those around us, and as someone said, "our witness is more in showing than in telling."

We are to live by the principles of holiness and righteousness, which go far beyond the rules and laws instituted by the mind of carnal man.

(See Ecclesiastes 2:9-14.)

2. Conversation

In public or private, our conversation should be that which becomes holy men and women.

We should refrain from speaking by impulse (speaking whatever thought comes to mind),

from speaking derogatory remarks.

Even clever or witty remarks should be avoided where there is the possibility of hurting someone.

3. Devotion-We should worship, serve, and walk with the Lord in His Spirit, allowing Him to guide our spiritual life by the divine principles set forth in the Scriptures and not by the impulse of our physical feelings.

In Mexico people build walls around their homes, the top of a wall covered with mortar, and in the mortar pieces of glass are stuck all the way along, so as to prevent people from climbing and going along.

You can sometimes see a cat walking along the top of that wall, walking 'circumspectly.'

It picks its way! He’s careful where he puts down the foot every time! It makes progress by walking very carefully, and looking for each place where the foot was to be put among those pieces of glass.

How much more should we do the same!

III. LED BY THE SPIRIT

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" (Romans 8:14).

It is a great honor, a high and serious calling to be a Christian. The word Christian means to be Christ-like to be more like Jesus Christ everyday!

We are to be Christians worthy of the name. But can we do so?

Can a human being with all of his faults, failures, and short comings become Christ- Like? This is tough to answer when we look at ourselves.

Truth is, yes, a man can be made Christ- Like, Jesus came to save men and to make them men like unto Himself.

A. Spiritual Things are Spiritually Discerned

When Israel was delivered from Egypt, they were led by a cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night.

Progress and fulfillment was theirs as long as they moved or became still as the Spirit led them.

But when Israel became entangled with the world about them, and began to trust in men, leaning upon their own understanding, they forfeited the "exceeding great and precious promises" of God.

They perished in the corruption of their own lust.

The church today must be led by the Holy Ghost, or we too will perish. The Holy Ghost is not some mystical imagination, but the personal presence of God.

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" (Romans 8:14).

They become partakers of His divine nature, becoming productive and fruitful in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. (See II Peter 1:4-8.)

There is a plant in South America called the "pitcher plant." On the stalk below each leaf, Is a little cup-like formation which is always full of water.

When it is very small it is full; as it grows larger it remains full; and when it reaches maturity it is still full. In our growth in the Lord, from the beginning, until the receiving of our inheritance in Heaven, to be led by the Spirit of God we must be full of the Holy Ghost.

B. Forever Becoming

Romans 8:1 NKJV

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

What a tremendous declaration! What a priceless privilege! What a comfort to know that in such a wicked and vile generation as our where men consume over 400 tons of drugs yearly to induce sleep upon a conscience, there is no condemnation to them who live in Jesus Christ.

As glorious as this declaration is, it is not the end! Regardless of how deep one goes into the spiritual things of God, his Master is still out ahead, encouraging him on.

The best is yet to come. The Apostle was on the isle called Patmos in exile the Lord's Day, and He was "in the Spirit."

The Lord of Revelation revealed unto him

the reward of them who walk in the Spirit.

There he saw a "white-robed throng" before the throne of God, singing a new song,

the song of redemption through the blood

of the Lamb.

There will be more than enough compensation in heaven for all the tribulation on earth.

"And I heard a great voice out

of heaven saying, Behold, the

tabernacle of God is with men,

and he will dwell with them, and

they shall be his people, and God

himself shall be with them, and be

their God. And God shall wipe

away all tears from their eyes; and

there shall be no more death,

neither sorrow, nor crying, neither

shall there be any more pain: for

the former things are passed away.

And he that sat upon the throne

said, Behold, I make all things

new. And he said unto me, Write:

for these words are true and faith-

ful" (Revelation 21:3-5).

It is worth denying the flesh and walking after the Spirit, it’s gonna be worth all the sacrifice.

SUMMARY

Enclosed within the being of every man is a place for the habitation of the Spirit of

God. God loves the man that was created in His image, and He gave unto him a Book revealing His love toward him.

As man searches the Scriptures, he finds what is required of him in order to have fellowship with God. God simply requires man to deny himself and to serve the Lord God with all of His Heart.

Yet, because of Sin, man is unable to do this for man is bound by the law of sin and death.

But God is love. He prepared Himself a sacrifice that would appease His own justice and at the same time bring light and deliverance to the soul of man.

"And ye know that he was

manifested to take away our sins;

...that he might destroy the

works of the devil" (I John 3:5, 8).

The God-man, our Advocate, Jesus Christ the Righteous, through the sacrifice of His life at Calvary gave unto man the opportunity, and privilege to walk spiritual walk with His God.

To walk in the Spirit is to be guided by the Holy Ghost. "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth." The Holy Ghost will lead us into the "paths of righteousness," and will

give us the power to be a Christian worthy of the name.

Heaven will be the reward of them that are led by the Spirit of God and walk circumspectly before him.

"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my

(Revelation 21:7).

Is there anyone here that would like to pray?