*Romans 8:1-18
Freed from condemnation by Christ, believers are empowered by the Spirit to live according to God’s will.
- Freedom from Condemnation:
- Paul asserts that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, highlighting the transformative power of being united with Christ, which liberates believers from the law of sin and death.
- Role of the Spirit:
- The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set believers free from the law of sin that leads to death.
- The inability of the law to sanctify due to human weakness is overcome through God sending His own Son, in human likeness and as a sin offering, to fulfill the law’s requirements.
- Living According to the Spirit:
- Believers are called to live according to the Spirit, not according to the flesh.
- Paul contrasts the mindset of the flesh, which leads to death, with the mindset of the Spirit, which leads to life and peace.
- Those who live according to the flesh cannot please God.
- Being Led by the Spirit:
- True believers are indwelled by the Spirit of God, confirming their identity as God’s children.
- A life led by the Spirit is marked by a consciousness of God’s presence and guidance, contrasting with a life driven by sinful desires.
- Adoption as Children of God:
- Believers are not just forgiven but are adopted into God’s family, receiving the status of “sons” and “daughters.”
- This relationship with God is intimate and personal, marked by the believers’ ability to call God “Abba, Father.”
- The Spirit itself testifies with the believer’s spirit that they are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.
- Suffering and Glory:
- Paul acknowledges that believers will suffer with Christ but emphasizes that these sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in them.
- The future glory that believers will share with Christ transcends the difficulties experienced in the present.
8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.