The Working of The Holy Spirit 3

Introduction

Last week we ended by bringing Romans 8:1 back up and talking about Victorious Living.

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.

Tonight, I want to take a closer look at the word CONDEMNATION.

In the Greek…

the word condemnation is katakrima, which means “an adverse sentence; the verdict”

The biblical sense then is that a legal decision of guilty has been rendered; often with the ensuing punishment understood to be forthcoming.

What Is Paul Talking About?

What is this adverse sentencing or verdict that Paul is referring to here?

He is dealing with the struggle between the flesh and the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.

Most believers may wonder at this contest between the flesh and the Holy Spirit, knowing that the Holy Spirit is God and is therefore almighty; meaning that He can do anything.

However, we have to understand that the Holy Spirit purposely works within a different set of rules so that He does not simultaneously usurp the authority with regard to the free moral agency He has given to human beings.

Of course, the Holy Spirit CAN do anything, but He will NOT override the direction or thinking of the believer, even if the thinking is wrong.

He may, and oftentimes DOES warn the believer and speak to the believer through various means. Yet He will NEVER force anyone.

These are the parameters that the Holy Spirit of God that He established for Himself.

Done With Us In Mind

Even if we fully understand all there is to know about the Cross of Christ with regard to our sanctification and how the Holy Spirit operates in our lives; it doesn’t mean we won’t ever have to deal with Satan and his work.

John 10:10 NKJV

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Satan will do all he can to accomplish his goal of annihilation in our lives. For as long as you live, the enemy will not let up.

Facts are facts, even if when we fail, IF we cling to Christ, The Cross, and the Holy Spirit, then victory will be ours!

We must continue to understand that the Cross of Christ is not AN answer to the issues of life, it is THE ONLY ANSWER.

The business of sin is extremely serious, it leads to death of some kind every time. There is a power to sin that is so great that the believer cannot throw it off with their own strength.

We must do it God’s way, we will only get victory through God’s way.

The Holy Spirit is working to make us everything God has called us to be, yet He will not force the issue.

This is done for the sole purpose of keeping us humble and dependent on Jesus as our all in all.

Even though you are a new creation, more than a conqueror, the head and not the tail, you are simply no match within yourself against the monster of sin that seeks to consume you.

No one should ever insinuate that being a Christian is easy, it most certainly is not!

We may fail continually, but we will never give up our reliance on the Lord, for therein lies our ultimate victory.

Truth

The believer that knows the truth and acts upon what they know allow the Holy Spirit to perform those tasks that He is sent to do in our lives.

We are now guaranteed victory over sin, no matter how bad the sin or bondage might be.

Just like the believer is no match for sin, so Satan and his demonic forces are no match for the Holy Spirit.

There is no condemnation when a believer is following the Holy Spirit, because in doing so there is no failure. The Holy Spirit CANNOT fail!

When we fail, it means we have let go of our hold on the relationship with the Lord to some degree. Our faith may have slipped from Christ and what He has done on the Cross to something else.

Why Paul Uses The Word Now

The word now tells us that this condemnation free state is available at THIS moment.

Many have come to believe through repeated failures and sins that victory is not possible in their personal struggles with sin.

Matthew 11:28 NKJV

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Jesus Paid It All

Romans 6:3 NKJV

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

John 3:3 NKJV

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Breaking Sin’s Dominion

Romans 6:14–15 NKJV

For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!

Walk After The Spirit

Galatians 5:16 NKJV

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Luke 9:23 NKJV

Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Romans 8:2 NKJV

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.