Freedom through the Spirit (the Gospel)
- Paul starts off the passage for this week by essentially delivering a Gospel presentation.
Romans 8:1-3: “1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.”
- “Not guilty. Let this person go free.” What would these words mean if they were said to us as someone on death row or someone being tried for a serious crime?
- We are guilty because of our sin, but through Christ Jesus and His Spirit, we have been set free from the hold of sin and death.
Contrasting flesh vs Spirit
- Our minds and our actions are intertwined with one another and each has an effect on the other.
Romans 8:5-8: “5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.”
- Is your mind set on what the flesh desires or is your mind set on what the Spirit desires?
- The Greek word for “flesh” is sarx and Paul uses is quite extensively throughout his writing (12 separate times by my count, just in today’s passage). There are 3 primary uses of the word flesh that Paul speaks of. The literal sense (circumcision), according to the flesh (kata sarka, from a human perspective), and in the flesh (en sarki, those who walk according to the flesh).
- Ruach is the Hebrew word for Spirit (pneuma in Greek), which Paul also uses quite extensively in his writing (17 times by my count). Now in the old testament, ruach has the double meaning of Spirit, but also of wind. And with this definition, it has the implication of a mighty, rushing wind. There is power behind it.
- We have this exact same power at our disposal!
What specifically does it mean to “live according to the flesh”?
Galatians 5:19-21: “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
- Sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery
- Idolatry
- Hatred
- Discord/dissension
- Jealousy/envy
Life in the Spirit
Romans 8:12-13 “12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation - but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”
- It is literally our obligation as believers to live according to the Spirit.
- Does this mean that we are going to be perfect? Absolutely not!
- Church vision for this year: To fall more in love with Jesus.
We are God’s children, heirs, to share in His glory
Romans 8:16-17 “16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
- We are literally God’s children and he has welcomed us into his family. We are heirs to a promise of salvation and redemption, literal heirs of the kingdom of God.
- There is nothing that we can do which will earn our salvation.
- This is conditioned by the statement that “if indeed we share in his sufferings”. We can do this by saying no to sin one step at a time.
