Christ in Me

The Word gives us truth about God. We sometimes call that theology.

It gives us truth about life. We sometimes call that doctrine.

But it also gives us examples (moments) of worship! It is as though the author sees what the Holy Spirit is inspiring him to write and gets caught up in the glory of its good news. Worship flows!

Romans 8:1–17 ESV

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not 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 set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 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. 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.

If the unfavorable verdict, the sentencing of death from guilt, has been removed, and it has, there is no place in me to hold sin (or guilt for sin). When we were set free, it wasnt with the message of guilt. We were declared innocent. Real payment was made and real punishment was suffered, just not be me.

The law of the Spirit which is life in Christ has set me free from the law of sin!

Freedom found in the Spirit shines in stark contrast to the repressive power of sin found in the previous chapter. We only lose the battle when we engage the enemy without the resources supplied by the Spirit. He never intended us to go into battle on our won. “Apart from me you can do nothing”

So Ch 7 = works

Ch 8 = faith

Christ in me is the life of faith in Him

Christ in me is victory over sin and death

Christ in me is sustained, empowered, joy filled living - contrasted by the powerlessness of the law to conquer sin. The weakness of the flesh given as the reason why the law was unable.

If there were no flesh at work in us, the law would have been plenty?

What the law could not do, God accomplished by sending Jesus.

If Christ had not taken the nature of man, he could not have been one of us. BUT, had he become like us to the point of sin, he could not have become our Savior.

Hebrews 2:14–15 ESV

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

v.5-6 Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on death. Those who live according to the spirit set their minds on life and peace.

The contrast here is seen in what the sinner wants: sin that leads to death.

What he is: spiritually dead and an enemy to God.

I’ve been wondering about those who are an enemy to God.

Believe there is a grand designer, but not submit to Him or believe that this God is THE God.

Deny the existence of any higher power. What an incredible burden to hold the whole world in their hands.

Because the saint has been raised to life and now wants spiritual, life-giving things.

He is peaceful since he is at peace with God and is holds the peace of God.

The sinner has a death (life without God) that leads to eternity without God while the saint has life (with God) that leads to eternity with God.

14 starts with led by the Spirit… led where or to do what? To kill sin! Christ in me leads me to be at odds with sin so that I willingly put it to death. I want us to be clear about that.

v14-17 I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God… Let’s look at how ‘Abba’ affects these relationships.

Adopted - his Jewish readers would have understood ‘grafted in’

Legal adoption process

New pecan trees

Children/Sons of God

John 1:12 ESV

12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

Giving the same privilege to call on Abba, the same name Jesus used when He asked the cup drank crucifixion weekend be taken from Him.

Heirs - what a great word! The possibilities create such anticipation. You get a letter or a phone call that says you are listed as an heir and you get excited. An inheritance means something, likely something good, is coming your way. You were loved in this life so that you were planned for in their death.

Prodigal son -

Never stopped being a son.

Had access to all his father held. Didnt know it? Thought it came with too many strings?

The father was prodigal in that he spent grace upon grace to receive the son back home.

The son asked to be a servant but was reinstated as an heir. The ring. The robe. ‘Your brother, was dead, is alive.’

The hardest part of family is seen in this story. Forgiveness toward the one who left. But it is the one that allows us to see deepest into our own hearts. I dont know about you, but I need grace.

Gospel prayer: #3

1. There is nothing I have done that could make you love me less, and nothing I could do that would make you love me more.

2. You are all I need for everlasting joy.

3. As you have been to me, so I will be to others.

4. As I pray, I’ll do so according to the compassion you’ve shown at the cross and the power you demonstrated through the resurrection.