Life in the Spirit (8:1-17)

Introduction:

Up to this point we have seen that we all are sinners by birth and sinners by choice, and that those sins were defined clearly and both condemnation and death were pronounced accordingly by God’s holy law.

However, though this is true, we have also seen that gloriously and miraculously, God’s grace was extended to us through the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that in Him, we have died to sin and fulfilled the righteous demands of the law.

This is the context of the “therefore” in 8:1, as we are focus in on a new law that now rules us, the law of the “Spirit of life”:

A. FREEDOM FROM THE CONDEMNATION OF SIN (1-4)

1. Available to those in Christ, made possible by the law of the Spirit of life (1-2)

Note that the timing of this no condemnation is the adverb now - we are not waiting to hear the verdict at the end of our life as to whether we have made it or not.

For, here is why, the law of the Spirit of Life has set me free from the law of sin and death that was brought on by the condemnation given by the law.

The point is that we live by a new law!

2. An accomplishment not attained by the Law, but by the death of Christ (3-4)

Christ, in coming in the likeness of sinful flesh, took our sin upon him and condemned sin in the flesh by his death

In order that (hina - conjunction)- for the purpose of; that in christ we fulfill the law, and now as a result, walk in the Spirit and not the flesh

B. FREEDOM FROM THE POWER OF SIN (5-17)

These verses give us list of reasons why and how we can and know we are free from sin’s power.

1. To those who set their minds on the things of the Spirit, not the flesh, pleasing God (5-8)

For - a series of explanatory conjunctions that keep drilling down in their explanations.

flesh vs Spirit (5-8)

Flesh -

minds directed toward the things of the flesh (5)

leads to death (6)

hostile to God, not submitting to God’s law, and not able to do so (7)

cannot please God (8)

Spirit -

minds directed toward the things of the Spirit (5)

leads to life and peace (6)

2. To those who have the indwelling Holy Spirit (9-11)

Those in the Spirit have the Holy Spirit residing in them, in fact, if the Holy Spirit is not residing in them, they are not a child of God (9)

Those in the Spirit have dead bodies because of sin (which will be made new at Christ’s return) but alive Spirits because of Christ’s imputed righteousness (10)

Because the Holy Spirit dwells in God’s people, He will raise us up the same way He raised Jesus (11)

3. To those who by the Spirit put to death the deeds of the body (12-13)

We owe nothing to the flesh to obey its demands (12)

if we live by the flesh, we will live as dead men (13)

Our life in the Spirit is to be putting to death the deeds of the flesh (body), which brings life (13)

4. To those thus led, who are the children of God and joint heirs with Christ (14-17)

To be led by the Spirit is not just an escape from condemnation, but an adoption into God’s family, as sons of God (14)

to be called a son, is to be understood as a place of position and not gender.

sons were highly esteemed in that culture as those who would inherit from the father and pass on the family name.

Thus, we understand from scripture that both men and women are to be called sons of God!

Galatians 3:26–29 ESV

26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Though once slaves to our sinful flesh, we are now adopted as sons, with all the privilege that affords God’s sons (15-17)

Abba Father - the most endearing name for our Father

The Spirit’s witness regarding our family relation

Fellow heirs with Jesus

Glorified with Jesus

Galatians 4:4–7 ESV

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.