Romans 8:12-17, The Good life is living by the Spirit.

The Good life is living by the Spirit.

Romans 8:12-17

[12] So then, brothers, 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 all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. [15] For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “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 fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Recap Romans 8:1-11

The Good Life is about Living

The Good life is living by the Spirit.

Romans 8:12-13

[12] So then, brothers, 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.

Life by the Spirit is contrasted by life in the Spirit.

We are in debt…. Not to the flesh, but to Christ, and He has given us the Spirit.

Our debt is not to what we have done for ourselves, the debt of our flesh is death. Instead we are in debt to Christ for what He has done through his life, death, and resurrection!

It’s why we sing songs like Jesus Paid It All- All to Jesus I surrender, all to him I owe, Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

And other songs like “All Sufficient Merit” where it says, love He condescended eternal now in time A life without a blemish the Maker made to die The law could never save us our lawlessness had won Until the pure and spotless Lamb had finally come. It is done it is finished. No more debt I owe. Paid in full all sufficient merit now my own

This debt we owe has been paid by Jesus!

Colossians 2:11-15

[11] In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, [12] having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. [13] And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, [14] by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. [15] He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

The Gospel of John records Jesus’ declaration that the debt has been paid in John 19:28-30,

[28] After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” [29] A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. [30] When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Upon paying the debt for our sin, Jesus gave up his spirit. And, when Jesus was resurrected and getting ready to ascend to the throne room of heaven He told the disciples that he was going to send the Holy Spirit… in fact He said that it was good for us that he would go. Because we cannot live a life that pleases God without the help and power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul continues to point our attention to the fruit of our lives. He says it here with the phrase “to live according to…”

In reality those who are in the flesh are not living at all. They are dead in their sins, and spiritually not alive. But the earthly life that they live, they live according to the flesh. Which means that they are living in obedience to and for the glory of the flesh.

Those who live according to the flesh are dead in their sins, and as a result they are destined for a second death.

Revelation 2:8-11

[8] “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. [9] “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. [10] Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. [11] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

The second death is the eternal fire of hell. This is the death that those who live according to the flesh will inherit. Paul connects the way of life, to the source or motivation of life, and then the end result of that life- Those who live by the flesh, are motivated by the flesh, and will receive the consequence of sin through the second death in the final judgment of Christ.

But, Paul says that Christians are not debtors to the flesh, therefore they don’t live by the flesh. They are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit through their faith in Jesus Christ. And because they are justified in Christ, they are now living according to the Spirit. And, living according to the Spirit means living in obedience to and for the glory of the Father.

In the same way that those who live by the flesh pursue the desires of the flesh, those who live by the Spirit pursue the desires of the Holy Spirit, and Paul begins with how the Spirit leads us to deal with our sin.

Romans 8:13 says that those who put sin to death are those who are living by the Spirit.

The Spirit that gives life, leads us to put our sin to death.

If you have the Spirit, which brings life, then you make it your aim to put to death the deeds of the flesh- sin.

When we consider the fruit of the Spirit, you are right to look for good things that He produces in us. But, you would be wrong to ignore God’s command to put sin to death. Simply focusing on the “good fruit” of the Spirit can lead to a damaged spiritual life. The reason for that is because the Spirit leads us to do some things, and at the same time He leads us to stop or avoid other things.

The Spirit led life begins when we are born again, and between the moment of our 2nd birth to the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ we are to fight against the sin of our flesh.

As long as your clothed in your mortality, you will be fighting sin.

As John Owen, a puritan pastor wrote, “To mortify a sin is not utterly to kill, root it out, and destroy it, that it should have no more hold at all nor residence in our hearts. It is true this is that which is aimed at; but this is not in this life to be accomplished.” ― John Owen, The Mortification of Sin

The last phrase there of John’s quote is a truth that is ignored, and maybe just not taught in the church of today. too many people think that they will reach a point in their flesh where there is no more sin to fight against. But, this is simply pride at it’s peak under the guise of humility.

The thought that you have no more sin to fight against is the peak of pride under the guise of humility.

In our culture and country there are many who consider themselves Christians, and yet their lives don’t resemble anything that the Spirit of God would lead them to do.

What you do with your days, weeks, months, finances, and relationships is a reflection of the Spirit’s leading in your life. (Does your life look like you are being led by the Holy Spirit?)

Question for application: Does your life look like you are being led by the Holy Spirit?

Living in a culture where Christianity is so misunderstood and mixed in with everything else can be confusing. You can find a pastor or teacher that will say whatever you want them to say to justify your actions and thoughts. But, finding someone who will agree with you is not the same thing as being led by the Spirit. The Spirit of God will never lead people to sin, it’s that simple. And, God is not going to be confusing on sin. For God to be confusing about what would condemn you to hell would be to forfeit his goodness and lose his place as the only true God.

God is not unclear about the problem of sin and what sin is and isn’t. it is only sinful man that takes the time to justify his sin in the name of Jesus.

Friend… If Jesus died to save you from it, the Holy Spirit is not going to lead you to do it.

Romans 8:14-15

[14] For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. [15] For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

The Spirit changes our status from a slave to sin to a child of God.

In our country, especially here in the south, we like to think of every human being as one of God’s children. And, what I hope we mean by that is that we are all created by God, that every human being is an image bearer of God, though in our sin, the image of God is stained…

And this truth, that our sin has stained and broken the image of God in us- the created, is why we cannot say that every person is a child of God.

In fact, this letter from Paul says the opposite. In Romans 1 Paul says that every person on earth is without excuse when it comes to their relationship with God. In Romans 3 Paul quotes the Old Testament that no one is righteous, not one person. And in Romans 3:23 Paul says that we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

So, when Romans 8:14 says that all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God… He is saying a lot!

Everyone in the flesh is a slave to sin, and everyone in the Spirit is an adopted child in the family of God.

If you are in the flesh, be afraid! Why? Because every day is one day closer to the second death.

If you are in the Spirit, there is no reason to be afraid of God! Why? Because you have received the Spirit of adoption and you have a Heavenly Father who has promised you an eternal inheritance.

Romans 8:16-17

[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 fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

The Spirit assures us of our salvation and gives us an eternal hope!

Romans 8:16 says that the Spirit bears witness with us… If you are in Christ, then you have a profession of your faith that you can make. Paul says that there is spiritual assurance and experience from the Spirit that bears witness of our salvation.

This is not saying that there is one sign, or gift, that each Christian will have to prove they belong to God. No, it is stating that this is spiritual. God is spirit, and he is saving our soul… transforming us through Christ and the power of the Gospel.

If you belong to God, if you are in Christ, then the Spirit joins with you in your witness and testimony. This can be seen through the fruit of the Spirit, but it is also experienced in relationship with God. The Spirit dwells in us and He is there to comfort, convict, lead, guide, and assure.

As the Spirit saves us and assures us, He aims our hearts, minds, and lives toward an eternal hope.

but what is the hope that he has given us? Paul says in Romans 8:17 that Christians are fellow heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.

So, what is the inheritance? Look with me at the phrase “heirs of God”

Heirs of God… could be that we are heirs “of God” or it could be that as heirs, our inheritance is God. (This can mean that we belong to God, or it can mean that God is our inheritance)

The Spirit leads us to hope for God

it is true that we belong to God, that is significant. But, I agree with those who see this as a reference to God being our “portion”

This past week on the way to Mississippi College with Hannah, she and I were listening to music. I am so proud of her, she doesn’t have much love for the modern country… and she’s got a little bit of affection for Alan Jackson- especially the mid 1990’s stuff.

We were singing and belting it out together and Living on Love came next in the playlist. Now, on one hand I think we all know that you cannot live on love… love in and of itself is not currency that will buy you anything. But, at the same time, we all know that where there is love you can go without a lot!

When it comes to Paul’s use of heirs of God… it is true that you can receive God as your portion.

Lamentations 3:19-24 says,

[19] Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! [20] My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. [21] But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: [22] The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; [23] they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. [24] “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul “therefore I will hope in him.”

our hope is not in heaven, our hope is not the mansion, the streets, the glassy sea, pearls, or gold… no, our hope is in God Himself! And, those who are led by the Spirit are the children of God, and they will inherit God.

Let’s be real about this, you would rather have God than streets of God right! And where ever He is the streets might as well be gold… because it wont matter. Where God is, everything else is of lesser value.

Do you see what I mean by that? God is of such supreme value and worth that everything, even the streets of God might as well be dirt in comparison to God Himself.

But, too often we put something of lesser value in the place of our motivation and our inheritance… in place of our reward.

But, the Spirit leads us to yearn for God Himself. (Not with fear, but in the way that children yearn for their Father.)

Our eternal hope is expressed by living by the Spirit, for Jesus, to the glory of the Father; regardless of the temporary consequences.

And if we are looking forward to God Himself, and yearning for eternal union and communion with God, then it makes sense that the Spirit would lead us to fight against sin, to understand our relationship and identity as a child of God, and that those who are with Christ in his death, will suffer in this life. (And how do make it in this life- by looking to the surpassing value of God Himself that is our inheritance!)

Is Jesus worth more than anything else?

Are you living by the Spirit? (The Word.. He will never contradict… in fact He uses what you know of the Word to lead you)

What is the source of your assurance? Is it the list of what you have done for the Lord? Or is it what God has done for you in Christ?

The Good life is living by the Spirit.