Free from indwelling Sin

Intro: (Pentecost Sunday)

Turn with me this morning to the book of Romans 8:1-17. I want to share with you how to live free from sin. Last week in my message I shared with you about the difference between sloppy grace and kingdom grace. Sloppy grace remains under the dominion of sin while kingdom grace empowers you to walk free from it. One leads to bondage the other to freedom.

I shared with you that the outworking of the grace of God in our lives empowers us to walk away from the nature of the old man, and helps us to put on the nature of the new man who has been born again by the Spirit.

This morning I want to look at the key to an overcoming life in Christ.

To set up the text I want to first look at Romans 7:13–25.

Key Points of the Text:

Without Christ we are sold under sin. The result is that what we want to do (good) we do not do, and what we hate (sin) we practice. vs. 15.

In the flesh there is no good thing, nor is there the ability to perform what is good. vs. 18.

The nature of the flesh will always produce evil because flesh is rooted in the nature of sin. vs. 19 This is what is referred to as the law of sin and death. The wages of this law is death according to Romans 6:23 because it counters the law of God on every point.

The dominion of sin leads us contrary to our desires to do good. vs. 22.

Deliverance is possible through Jesus Christ. vs. 25.

This passage illustrates the nature of the battle that we face internally in regards to sin and righteousness. What I love most is that it also reveals the antidote for the problem. A life rooted in Christ. Romans 8:1-4.

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Submit:

Romans 8:1–4 “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.”

Let’s break this down.

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

Condemnation is a legal decision of guilty in a criminal case; often with the ensuing punishment understood (death penalty). Receiving the gift of salvation through Christ removes the death penalty from our lives.

Can we pause for a moment and consider the gravity of that gift. How precious the blood and body of Jesus that was given for us.

That verse however gives further insight that there is no condemnation to those who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. A key word in this portion of the passage is the word WALK. To walk in the flesh is to live or behave in that manner.

There is a difference between being enticed to sin, and living a lifestyle of sin. The difference is Lordship. Lifestyle is a continual presenting of oneself to sin as Master, while falling prey to temptation is about a momentary decision.

Lifestyle speaks of a place of continual dwelling. It simply what a person does consistently. The reality of true repentance is that you can no longer dwell in sin. You are to kill its passions and lust and walk in newness of life.

The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus makes us free from the law of sin and death. The Spirit of God is a life giving Spirit. 1 Corinthians 15:45.

“And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.”

If sin leads to death, the Spirit leads to life. Galatians 5:16.

This is why Galatians 5:16 says, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”

The issue of our life is not sin or righteousness. It is the place of our dwelling that is the issue. In John 15:5 Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

What is the fruit? Holiness and Righteousness.

What is the source of strength to produce it? Life in the Spirit.

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Apply:

Romans 8 gives us the key to life in the Spirit. The key to success begins with the mind. All of the issues of our life begin in the mind. Things like anxiety, fear, depression, worry, anger, lust, and selfishness all begin in the mind. Likewise, love, joy, peace, patience, meekness, temperance, and self-control begin in the mind.

Each of these characteristics are eventually seen outwardly, but they begin inwardly.

Romans 8:5–8 “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.”

See the word live (habitual lifestyle). Those who live according the flesh, set their minds on the things of the flesh. You cannot produce spiritual things from a carnal thinking. James 4:4 says, “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

We can’t be a friend to the world and have reasonable expectation of spiritual breakthrough. Spiritual breakthrough will only come when you set your mind on the things of the Spirit. When we are born again we live life from the Spirit. Romans 8:9-11.

Romans 8:9–11 “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.”

When you are truly born again you receive the Holy Spirit. The Spirit will give life to your mortal body because of righteousness. Your body of flesh is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is not limited by your flesh. He is righteous and Holy, and because He is righteous and Holy when you live your life under His mastery He will make you righteous and holy. Romans 8:12-17.

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Closing:

Romans 8:12–17 “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.”

Freedom from indwelling sin is not about trying harder, its about submission. If you choose to submit yourself to the flesh you will die, but if you submit and are led by the Spirit you will put to death the deeds of the body, and you will live.

I want you to see that process of sanctification involves you. When you live life in the Spirit He will lead you on how to put to death the deeds of the flesh in your life. Notice that He doesn’t do it for you. Part of worship to the Lord is to wilfully choose to kill the flesh so that we might live as sons of God in the earth.

Our love for our Father drives us to obedience over the indulgence of the flesh. There is no greater worship to God than our voluntary surrender. He will not force us to serve Him. This is why when you pray God take this sin from me, the prayer often goes unanswered in the way you want.

We want instantaneous deliverance, God wants willful surrender and a change in our mind that leads us to righteousness. God does deliver instantly from demonic oppression, but not often in the area of needed submission.

Our victory rests in learning to live life in the Spirit. Setting our minds on the things of the Spirit and the word of God will lead us into life. Empowering us to be free from indwelling sin.

Let’s Pray!

1. Holy Spirit give us revelation in this area. Lead us into the place of surrender and transformation.

2. Salvation.