*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.
Romans 8:1-18 teaches us that we are free from guilt and fear because of Jesus. God’s Spirit lives in us, guiding and strengthening us, so we don’t have to be controlled by our struggles or mistakes. Even when life is hard, we can have hope because we are God’s children and He has an amazing future for us. This reminds us to focus on God instead of our worries and to live with confidence in His love. We can apply this by trusting Him daily, letting His Spirit lead us, and living with joy and hope no matter what we face.
Romans 8:1-18 (WEB)
8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the law couldn’t do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us who don’t walk 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, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace; 7 because the mind of the flesh is hostile toward God, for it is not subject to God’s law, neither indeed can it be. 8 Those who are in the flesh can’t please God.9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his. 10 If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up 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 after the flesh. 13 For if you live after the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God. 15 For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God; 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us.