Life through Christ
Life through Christ’s Spirit
Romans 8:1-27
Introduction Because of sin and death, all humanity, including babies, needs LIFE, New Life. The old natural life that we receive from flesh is under the control of sin and death. So no matter what we undertake to do, sin is right there. And the pay-off for sin is death, physical, spiritual, and eternal death. That’s the law, the principle which keeps us at arms length from real help and real safety in our relationship with God.
But when God sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world, He did something for all humanity that is beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. What He did, changes everything. It even changes God’s disposition of wrath to a disposition of inestimable love. So what did He do?
1. He set us free from the law of sin and death (1-4)
The results of God doing this brings about a miraculous change that removes the guilt of sin from us. And if the guilt of sin is removed from us we have a whole new status with God. A status that is absolutely free from condemnation. Thus, the apostle says, 1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Isn’t that wonderful news!? It’s as though there is no longer sin in our life. That’s how God desires to treat everyone. That’s why The Christ had to come in human flesh.
Because of our sinful nature, living up to God’s righteous and holy expectations is impossible. So the law and its commands become powerless to save. But, Scripture claims that , 2through Christ Jesus the law(control) of the Spirit of life set me free from the law(control) of sin and death.
The law of the Spirit of life, means the Spirit of God is at work to free us from power of sin. Let me try to illustrate. In warfare, when troops are pinned down by the enemy, air or offshore bombardment is called in to soften up the enemies stronghold which allows the good guys to move in and conquer. Because of our sinful nature, we get pinned down by the accusation of the law which says, “Thou shalt, thou shalt not”. But like air and offshore bombardment the Spirit of God loosens sins grip and frees us to move on in life. He sees our desperate condition, and immediately comes to our defense.
2. What a contrast we see between the control of sin and death and the control of the Spirit (5-11)
The control of the one condemns. The control of the other frees. The two principles or laws involved here actually work. You see, when the sin nature is at work, the flesh wants to strike back at every misdeed and injustice with fury and power and absolute control.
That’s what we see in many action movies today. When a wrong is committed the good-guys, “so-called”, wreak havoc with hard-core, blood and guts power and might outdoing the bad-guys with some really nasty actions. But listen to this word from God:
5Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; Terror and revenge against its enemies. But those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires; Life and peace. Do you see the contrast?
It should be evident by now that nothing good is to be found in our sinful human nature. Even our thinking is effected by that nature. Verses 6-7 explain. 6The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.
Wow! That sounds pretty hopeless doesn’t it? But, remember the contrast in us who believe. 10if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
I know how it is to see this contrast of principles at work in me. I also know that every true Christian struggles with it, just like Paul. When we see it, our heart sinks to our stomach and we become anxious because the flesh always seems to be winning the battles. But everyone who is in Christ can take heart and have courage.
3. We have a new relationship with God (12-17)
Yes, we poor miserable sinners are blessed by this new relationship with God. Remember what verse 1 said, “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” No Condemnation. Man, that sounds so good to my ears. If, then, we are obligated, to whose control are we obligated? Is it not the Spirit’s control? 15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear.
The Spirit of God is not about fear and punishment, but about life and peace. Peace with God! Peace with one another. Isn’t this Good News? You received the Spirit of sonship, Paul explains. And by him (the Spirit of sonship) we cry, <"Abba,> Father”, for He is the one Father who loves without limit. He removes every remembrance of sin from His own mind because He is Love.
4. Now we have pain, promise, patience, and prayer (18-27)
But, we might ask, What about all the bad things we suffer? What about cancer and aids, Alzheimer’s disease and heart attacks. What about depression and diabetes, or and crippling arthritis whatever? And what about persecution for speaking God’s truth? How can we be sure God really does love us in view of all this suffering?
We experience pain and grief because of sin at work in the world, and even in our own human nature. But, we remain convinced that we are God’s children, because His Spirit lives in us to remind us of the family promise.
Being in Christ is like being in a whole new family. As in any family we might experience hardship, pain, grief, suffering, and persecution. But it is the promise of God, not what we see, hear, feel, or do, that fills us with hope that transcends it all.
You see, in Christ, we know and are certain of what is to come. Condemnation is gone. There is nothing keeping us at arms length from Love any more. We have passed from death into life, Christ’s life. This is what the Spirit of God reminds us of when we struggle with doubt. We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved.
There are times when people under temptation say, “I am just too weak. I can’t fight anymore. Why doesn’t God help me?” Well, God is helping. Otherwise, the Word would not say, 26the Spirit helps us in our weakness. 27because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. But, because we have life through Christ’s Spirit, we need no longer be frightened by our inabilities. Even when it might seem otherwise, the Spirit always works in our behalf, and bringing about in us what we ourselves are powerless to do.
So, my dear fellow redeemed in Christ Jesus, rejoice! And take heart. It is the will of God to give you peace. For there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.