Life in the Spirit Romans 8 Leading to

Life in the Spirit Romans 8

Leading to Romans 8 • 1: 1 - 3: 20 – All have sinned • 3: 21 - 4: 25 – Justification has always been by faith • 5: 1 -21 – Our justification comes through faith in Christ • 6: 1 -23 – Live righteously as befits one saved by grace • 7: 1 -25 – The law cannot save us from the great inner struggle against sin • CHAPTER 8: In Christ, we overwhelmingly conquer!

Romans and Righteousness • Righteousness Needed • Righteousness Provided • Righteousness Experienced • Righteousness Gives Assurance and Hope

Righteousness needed • 1: 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, • 1: 29 [the Gentiles] being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil. . . • 2: 8 but to those [Jews] who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. • 3: 10 as it is written, "There is none righteous, not even one; • 3: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Righteousness provided • 1: 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. • 1: 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "But the righteous man shall live by faith. " • 3: 21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, • 3: 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;

Righteousness experienced • 5: 1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, • 5: 19 For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. • 6: 18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

Righteousness gives assurance and hope • 8: 1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. • 8: 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. • 8: 14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. • 8: 24 For in hope we have been saved. . . • 8: 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God. . . • 8: 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

An inspirational chapter • Begins with “no condemnation” – Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (v. 1) • Ends with “no separation” – For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (vv. 38 -39)

An inspirational chapter • Begins “in Christ” – Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (v. 1) • Ends in “in Christ” – For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (vv. 38 -39)

But not devoid of duty • V. 4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. • V. 5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. • V. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace

But not devoid of duty • V. 12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh • V. 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. • V. 14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. • V. 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

But the blessings. . . • V. 1. . . no condemnation. . . • V. 2. . . freedom from the law of sin and death. . . • V. 4. . . the requirement of the law fulfilled in us. . . • V. 6. . . life and peace. . . • V. 9. . . Spirit of God dwells in you. . . belong to Christ. . . • V. 10. . . Christ is in you. . . spirit is alive. . . • V. 11. . . life to your mortal bodies. . .

But the blessings. . . • V. 13. . . you will live. . . • V. 14. . . sons of God. . . • V. 15. . . received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba, Father. ” • V. 16. . . the Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit. . . • V. 17. . . children. . . heirs of God. . . fellow-heirs with Christ. . . glorified with Him. . . • V. 18. . . the glory that is to be revealed toward us. . .

Example: The Blessings of Sonship (Verses 14 -17) • The Test of Sonship – V. 14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. • The Current Blessings of Sonship – V. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” – V. 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, • The Future Blessings of Sonship – V. 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Two Major Divisions • Life in the spirit – VV. 1 -17 • The absolute assurance of our hope – VV. 18 -39

Life in the spirit • For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death (v. 2) • For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace (v. 6) • If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness (v. 10) • But 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 (v. 11) • for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live (v. 13)

Life in the spirit • For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death (v. 2) • so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the spirit (v. 4) • For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the spirit, the things of the Spirit (v. 5) • For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the spirit is life and peace, (v. 6)

Life in the spirit • However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him (v. 9) • If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness (v. 10) • But 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 (v. 11)

Life in the spirit • for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live (v. 13) • For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God (v. 14) • For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” (v. 15) • The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, (v. 16)

Life in the spirit • And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body (v. 23) • In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (v. 26) • and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God (v. 27)

Two Major Divisions • Life in the spirit – VV. 1 -17 • The absolute assurance of our hope – VV. 18 -39

The absolute assurance of our hope • V. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. • V. 20. . . For the creation was subjected. . . in hope • V. 23. . . we ourselves. . . waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. • V. 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? • V. 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

The absolute assurance of our hope • V. 26. . . the Spirit also helps our weakness. . . the Spirit Himself intercedes for us. . . • V. 27. . . He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. • V. 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God. . . • V. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son. . . • V. 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called. . . justified. . . glorified.

The absolute assurance of our hope • V. 31. . . If God is for us, who is against us? • V. 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? • V. 33. . . God is the one who justifies; • V. 34. . . Christ Jesus. . . intercedes for us. • V. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? • V. 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

The absolute assurance of our hope • V. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, • V. 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Difficult questions in Romans 8 • How does Paul use the word “spirit”? • What is “the creation”? • What are the “all things” that work together for good? • What is the meaning of the spirit’s intercession? • What is the meaning of “foreknew” and “predestined”?

Use of the word “flesh” • sa/rc, sarx, flesh – “ 4. sa/rc, when. . . opp. to to pneu=ma. . . has an ethical sense and denotes mere human nature, the earthly nature of man apart from divine influence, and therefore prone to sin and opposed to God; accordingly it includes whatever in the soul is weak, low, debased, tending to ungodliness and vice” (Thayer) – “(h) ‘the seat of sin in man’” (Vine)

Use of the word “flesh” • sa/rc, sarx, flesh – metonymy for the passions and desires of the flesh – those who live as if this life and its physical elements are all there is – the part of man that seeks sinful pleasure by stimulating the body – “worldliness” or “materialism” – Galatians 5: 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Use of the word “spirit” • pneu=ma, pneuma – Holy Spirit? – human spirit? the inner man? – attitude or disposition? • Vine – “‘the wind’. . . ‘breath’. . . ‘the spirit’. . . – (k) the Holy Spirit. . . – (l) ‘the inward man’. . . the new life, Rom. 8: 4 -6, 10, 16”

Previous use of “spirit” in Romans • 1: 4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, • 1: 9 For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, • 2: 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God. • 5: 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. • 7: 6 But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the spirit and not in oldness of the letter.

Three different uses of “spirit” in verse 9? • However, you are not in the flesh but in the spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. • You are not living according to the lusts of your flesh but for the best interest of your spirit, if indeed the Holy Spirit dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the same attitude towards life that Christ had, he does not belong to Him.

Use of the word “spirit” • Clearly the Holy Spirit in. . . – V. 11 But 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. – V. 14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. – V. 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,

Use of the word “spirit” • An attitude or disposition in. . . – V. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" – Perhaps in V. 9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

Use of the word “spirit” • Jesus clearly contrasted these two sides of human nature in Matthew 26: 41 – “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. ”

Use of the word “spirit” • The human spirit, the inner man – V. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, – V. 4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the spirit. – V. 5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the spirit, the things of the spirit. – V. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the spirit is life and peace, – V. 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so – V. 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Use of the word “spirit” • The human spirit, the inner man – V. 9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the spirit (Spirit? ) of Christ, he does not belong to Him. – V. 10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. – V. 11 But 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.

Use of the word “spirit” • The human spirit, the inner man – V. 12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh – V. 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. – V. 14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. – V. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” – V. 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, – V. 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Use of the word “spirit” • The human spirit, the inner man – V. 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. – V. 26 In the same way the spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the spirit itself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; – V. 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Use of the word “spirit” • The most difficult verses – V. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. – V. 9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. – V. 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. – V. 26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; – V. 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Jesus came “in the likeness of sinful flesh” • “flesh” is not inherently sinful – 2 Corinthians 7: 5 “our flesh had no rest” – The NIV should not translate sa=rc as “sinful flesh” • “likeness” may mean nearly the same as “sameness” – If Paul means in v. 3 that Jesus came with the same kind of flesh that all men have – a flesh which can sin and which suffers the effects of sin even if sinless • But “likeness” may imply a difference

Jesus came “in the likeness of sinful flesh” • What was the difference between Jesus’ flesh and mine? (v. 3) – Not that it was less human • Hebrews 2: 17 -18 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things. . . For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered. . . • Hebrews 4: 15. . . tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. – But that He was without sin • “sinful flesh” is a good description of what all humans are BY CHOICE • But it is not a good description of Christ, because HE CHOSE to live without sin

How did Christ “condemn sin in the flesh”? • By rendering it powerless to condemn men any more through His death? • By living a sinless human life, thus showing that sin has no right to [? ] rule the lives of men? • Both? – 1 Peter 2: 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

What kind of “life” does God give in vv. 10 -11? • V. 10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. • V. 11 But 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. • Bodily resurrection life? • Spiritual life?

What kind of “life” does God give in vv. 10 -11? • Bodily resurrection life? – “body is dead” (v. 10), doomed to die, same as… • 5: 12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned • 1 Corinthians 15: 21 -22 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. – di/a with the accusative (v. 10) means “because of” not “with regard to” – “will give life” (v. 11) is future • Just as “raised Christ Jesus from the dead” • Mortal bodies given life, changed. . .

What kind of “life” does God give in vv. 10 -11? • Spiritual life – Similar to 6: 6 -11 (“died with Christ”) – Used the same as “the flesh” in the immediate context: we have “put to death” the body’s desire to sin – Body is currently dead (present tense) – But the body is reactivated to serve God • 6: 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. • 6: 13. . . present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

To whom does the Holy Spirit testify (v. 16)? • The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, – It says He testifies WITH our spirits, but who does He testify TO • To the world as they see the fruits of the Holy Spirit? (Mt. 5: 16; 1 Pt. 2: 12; 4: 16) • To the Father • To us – The context seems to favor this interpretation as it emphasizes the assurance and blessings of being in Christ

What is “the creation” • Christians? – Is not the most natural interpretation – V. 23 makes a distinction between “the creation” and the sons of God • All men? – It is not the most natural interpretation – Sinners do not have the “hope” spoken of in vv. 20 b-21

What is “the creation” • The physical creation – The most natural interpretation – God did curse it: Gen. 3: 17 – This kind of personification is found frequently in the Old Testament – Paul has already established the meaning of kti/sij (creation) in Romans • 1: 20 For since the creation of the world. . . • 1: 25 worshiped and served the creature. . . • 8: 39. . . nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God. . .

How? . . . Who? . . . What happens when we pray? • V. 26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; • V. 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

How? . . . Who? . . . What happens when we pray? • Does the Holy Spirit intercede? – But why would either the Father or the Son need the Holy Spirit’s intercession? – Why would the Holy Spirit groan with unutterable groans? – Why say that God knows the mind of His own Spirit? – Why say that the Holy Spirit acts in accordance to God’s will?

How? . . . Who? . . . What happens when we pray? • Do our spirits intercede? – As in much of the previous context, our spirits help overcome the weaknesses of our flesh – It is the “spirit of man” which the Bible says expresses his own thoughts • 1 Corinthians 2: 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. • 1 Cor. 14: 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. (cf. v. 15)

How? . . . Who? . . . What happens when we pray? • Do our spirits intercede? – It makes more sense to speak of human groaning as “too deep for words” (v. 26) – Christ is the Heart-knower and Intercessor of v. 27 • Cf. v. 34; Rev. 2: 23; Isa. 53: 12; etc. – Who better to understand the groaning of human spirits than the Man, Jesus Christ?

What are the “all things” of verse 28? • And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose – God’s work in salvation only? • The whole chapter is about God working for our salvation • “His purpose” is the salvation of souls • Vv. 29 -30 define it for us: “foreknew. . . called. . . justified. . . glorified” • V. 32 uses “all things” to refer to what God does for us spiritually

What are the “all things” of verse 28? • All that happens to a Christian – Paul is giving a general principle to inspire the Romans to endure suffering and whatever else they face • Illustrations: Joseph and Jesus – Including suffering • He does not cause it • But he has often brought good out of it • This is definitely in the context: vv. 19 -39 – Excluding the disciple’s personal sins • “to those who love God. . . His purpose”

How do “all things to work together for good”? • They work for those WHO LOVE GOD – The same things may destroy sinners • They work TOGETHER – Combined with God’s providence, mercy, grace, foreknowledge, calling, etc. • They work for ETERNAL GOOD – Not for pleasure – Not necessarily in our lives

• V. 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? • 5: 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Conclusion • There is no condemnation for spiritually minded Christians. • When powerful enemies attack, our God is there to protect us and give us everything we need to overcome.

Conclusion • The security God provides should provoke us to bravery! • After all, nothing that exists, neither earthly powers or “spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” can separate us from the love of God in Christ.