MBS Romans 8:1-17

Life in the spirit

Romans 8:1–17 NKJV

1 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. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 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, 4 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. 5 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. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 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. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 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. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 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. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 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.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 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.

THEREFORE

Paul is effectively saying that this is a conclusion to his argument or that it comes from a logical argument.

Because of what I have said previously… now here is the final explanation to those thoughts.

Because/therefore Jesus is the head, we cannot and will not be condemned.

Like a foot cannot drown if it is attached to the head that is out of the water.

We are one with Christ, His redemption and defeat of death means we are redeemed and free from the death that comes from our sin.

NO Condemnation

Or standing is not LESS condemnation, it is NO condemnation.

we are completely transformed, a new creation

We don’t have a BETTER standing with God, we are truly renewed.

Our standing with Christ is perfected, whole and we are free.

Just like Jesus is not condemned by God we are not as well.

This THEREFORE is a continuation from chapter 7 where Paul is wrestling with sin, talking about how he is in constant battle in opposition to his sin nature.

Romans 7:21–25 NKJV

21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

Humility

We see here in chapter 7, Paul talks in the first person, pointing out this struggle within himself, humbly putting himself in a place of critique.

When he talks about the saints, his fellow believers, he changes to encouragement and hope, using “those” and “you” when talking about the redemption and life that Christ brings to us.

This to me points out how we are ought to behave and treat other believers.

we are to point out our own flaws and be humble about our own failures, but when it comes to others, we are to encourage, exhort, and lift up others in the hope of Christ.

not to say Paul didn’t talk here about our sin, and our need for Christ, but the focus and expression changes to more uplifting and encouraging words as opposed to the lowly way he points out himself.

In Christ Jesus

Vs 1-7 and 1-2

Paul points out that it is ONLY Jesus that can save us from condemnation, and we are surely condemned without Him.

Paul also shows us what it means to be “in Christ Jesus”.

Walk according to the spirit

Live according to the spirit

Be spiritually minded

We are free from and no longer CONTROLLED by our flesh (NO OBLIGATION)

These are not a “condition” to be in Christ, they are a byproduct of allowing Him control over your life.

Our position in Christ is the sole reason for us having no condemnation.

Romans 8:1 tells us we are free from the guilt of sin.

Romans 8:2 tells us we are free from the power of sin.

The law

Vs 3

The law can give us a standard to live by but it cannot give us the power to please God

Only through the spirit and Jesus can we please God

What the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son:

The law could not defeat sin; it could only detect sin. Only Jesus can defeat sin, and He did just that through His work on the cross.

By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh:

In order to defeat sin, Jesus had to identify with those bound by it, by coming in the likeness of sinful flesh. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul carefully chose his words here, indicating that Jesus was not sinful flesh, but He identified with it entirely.

Romans 8:4 NKJV

4 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.

We do not fulfill the requirement, it is fulfilled IN US not BY US.

Simply put, Jesus is our substitute. Jesus was treated as a sinner so we can be treated as righteous.

Oh how I truly do not understand the depth of His love for me, that He who deserves all glory would identify with my sin and be treated like the sinner I am just so my filth could be in the presence of God, me who is so unworthy.

Conclusion

How am i walking?

According to the spirit? or according to my flesh whom i have NO obligation to.

Will I claim the victory that i have apart from sin? or will i dwell in it allowing it to take hold?

We have NO CONDEMNATION, that means the verdict has been reached, we are NOT GUILTY

Are we living in guilt and shame?

or are we waking in freedom?

What does my life reflect?

Does it reflect freedom?

Walking in the spirit?

Walking in fear?

Walking as a dead man?

Claiming Sonship as an heir of the King?

Adopted as a Child of God?

Notice Paul reflects on his own insufficiency's but does not dwell on them

reflecting on what we are and what we need to work on is healthy, but in the end realizing and remembering that we are already found not guilty, the verdict is reached and we are apart of the kingdom forever!