Victory in Jesus

1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the 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 are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. 

Introduction 

Brothers and sisters, today we gather to delve into the rich tapestry of God's Word, turning our hearts and minds to the book of Romans, specifically Romans 8:1-11. This passage is a wellspring of hope and assurance, a cornerstone of the new life we have in Christ. Let us open our hearts as we explore what it means to live in the Spirit and be free from condemnation. Lets look at three areas of our life we now have victory over.

Victory Over Condemnation

1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:1 begins with a powerful declaration, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Here, the Apostle Paul reassures us that in Christ, we are free from the guilt and penalty of sin. This freedom is not based on our righteousness but on Christ's sacrifice—a gift we receive by faith.

Romans The Holy Spirit Lives in You / 8:1-17

We feel condemned because Satan uses past guilt and present failures to make us question what Christ has done for us. Our assurance must be focused on Christ, not our performance.

• Our own conscience reminds us of guilt.

• Non-Christian friends will notice (and point out) our inconsistencies.

• Past memories of how we lived can haunt us.

• Personal dysfunctions such as shame, low self esteem, or compulsions will trip us up.

• The perfection of the law will show how imperfect we are.

• We can allow Christ’s perfect example to discourage our efforts rather than encourage our trust.

• Unhealthy comparisons with other believers will make us feel inadequate.

In every age, the cry for freedom echoes in the hearts of those who suffer under oppression. The Israelites' deliverance from Egypt, as recounted in Exodus, is a profound biblical illustration of God's desire to liberate us from the bondage of sin. God did not merely remove their chains; He offered them a promised land—a new life filled with hope. This is the freedom we find in Christ: liberation followed by purpose.

Consider a prisoner locked behind bars, burdened by chains, but then the key is turned, and the shackles fall away. This imagery conveys the liberation we experience in Christ. The cell door is not just ajar; it is open wide. We are free to step into the light of His grace.  

Victory Over Sin

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,

Despite the inadequacy of the Law, weakened by the flesh, God sent His own Son as a sin offering. This profound act condemned sin in the flesh, fulfilling the law's righteous requirements in us who walk according to the Spirit.

Consider a master artist painstakingly crafting a beautiful statue, only for a storm to strike and shatter his creation. Instead of giving up on his work, the artist lovingly collects the broken pieces, reshaping them into an even more stunning masterpiece. In the same way, despite humanity's breaking of God's law through sin, He sent His Son not to condemn us but to redeem and reshape us into the righteousness that fulfills the law's heart—which is love driven by the Spirit.

Victory Over Death

11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. 

In ancient Rome, gladiators fought for their freedom, risking everything in the arena. One brave gladiator, having survived battle after battle, was finally granted his freedom. He held the certificate high, knowing that death no longer had a hold on him. This moment echoes the truth that through Christ's resurrection, we, too, have been granted freedom from death, allowing us to celebrate life, not just in this world but in the next!

The Elephant and the rope.

The chain is broken. You are free. You have Victory in Jesus.