Romans pt 18

Romans 8 is central to the theme of the letter of Romans, and it is heavily tied in with many points made in chapters 5-7. At the end of Romans 7, Paul explains the christian struggle. The flesh vs the spirit. Romans 7:1-6. explains our divorce from the law and our marriage to Christ. Romans 7:7-13. shows what the law does to an unregenerate person. Sin through the law kills you. And Romans 7:14-25. shows the struggle as a Christian who has been born again but still lives in sinful flesh. Romans 8 is a continuation of the life of a believer; Romans 7 we saw the negative aspect in the believers life, the flesh that we are trapped in. Romans 8 focuses more on the positives, the privileges of the believer thanks to the SPIRIT in contrast to the negatives listed in Romans 7 due to the flesh.

Romans 8:1-17.

NO CONDEMNATION

V1, there is no more condemnation for those who are in Christ.

This verse isn’t pointing towards the point of conversion, there is no more condemnation because of what JESUS DID!

V2 shows us the emphasis is on Christ and not on us.

The law of the SPIRIT OF LIFE has set us free from the law of sin and death

What is the law of the Spirit of life?

THE HOLY SPIRIT BRINGS LIFE AND IF THE SPIRIT OF GOD IS IN US WE ARE FREE!

2 Cor 3:17.

What is the law of sin and death?

The wages of sin is death - not referring to the law of moses, but this principle.

v3 still explaining why there is no more condemnation! JESUS DID WHAT THE LAW COULD NOT!

Why could the law not set me free? The weakness of my flesh.

So God sent His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, to condemn sin in the flesh, because could never condemn sin in our flesh

v4 why did God do this? SO THAT THE RIGHTEOUS REQUIREMENT OF THE LAW MAY BE FULFILLED IN US!

the righteous requirement of the law is death must take place for sin to be forgiven. Jesus died so that we can be set free

The Spirit of God is on the inside of us, and now we who walk according to the spirit and not the flesh can live out the righteous requirement of the law that God has written on our hearts

Hebrews 8:10. quoting from Jeremiah 31.

IN THE SPIRIT!

v5 those who are in the flesh set their minds on things of the flesh. The world and death

Those who are in the Spirit are set on the things of the Spirit

v6 is the explanation. Paul is talking about the converted life, vs the unconverted life.

It’s natural here to talk about the we walk as Christians, if you walk by the Spirit you won’t gratify the flesh. BUT! Paul shows us that this particular portion of scripture is talking about the unsaved (life in the flesh, controlled by the flesh, and leads to death.) but life in the Spirit, with your inner being invaded by the Spirit, heads towards life and peace.

v7-8 expands on this truth.

the unregenerate man cannot submit to God’s law

those in the flesh cannot please God. This is how we know these verses are talking about born again vs the unsaved. Although our sin never pleases God; for those of us who are saved, we are IN CHRIST we are not guilty, therefore God is always pleased with us, for His Son’s sacrifice has perfected us.

v9 YOU ARE NOT IN THE FLESH IF THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLS IN YOU!

if the Spirit of God is not in you, YOU ARE NOT IN CHRIST!

YOUR NEW REALITY

V10 even though this body is dying because of sin, the spirit is life because of righteousness! we are righteous by the Spirit of God despite being trapped in the old man!

v11 our redemption is not yet complete, but one day it will be!

LIVE IT OUT

v12-13 Paul moves to application of our new reality.

because of our new life, we are no longer obligated to the flesh.

we must put to death the deeds of the body.

notice 2 things, we do not let go and let God - WE MUST PUT THOSE DEEDS TO DEATH

IT’S NOT IN OUR OWN STRENGTH! IT’S BY THE SPIRIT!

OUR PRIVILEGE

V14-17

WE ARE NOW LED BY THE SPIRIT INTO LIFE FREE FROM SLAVERY

BECAUSE WE ARE SONS

WE ARE NOW HERIS.