Romans 8:1-9

Wednesday Evening Bible Study

February 17, 1999

Introduction

Last week we saw Paul talking about the frustrations he has had with his own sin nature. These are some amazing things for an apostle to be saying:

(Rom 7:18-25 KJV) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. {19} For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. {20} Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. {21} I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. {22} For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: {23} But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. {24} O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? {25} I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus

condemnation – katakrima – damnatory sentence, condemnation

It doesn’t say that there is no condemnation for those who stop sinning. It doesn’t say that there is no condemnation for those who do everything for God perfectly.

Yet these are the very things that we are constantly condemned over.

It says that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. What does it mean to be "in Christ Jesus"?

Being "in Christ Jesus" is something that happens to us when we’ve accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. It happens when we’ve become "born again". It’s at that time that the Holy Spirit immerses (or, baptizes) us into Jesus:

(1 Cor 12:13 KJV) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

When I’m "in Jesus", I in effect go everywhere and do everything that Jesus does, or has done.

Illustration

When I’m "in my car", I go everywhere my car goes. If my car goes to McDonald’s, so do I, if I’m in it. If my car goes through the car wash, and I stay in my car, then I go through the car wash. If I’m "in Christ", then I participate in the benefits of who Jesus is and what He offers me.

When Jesus died and paid the price for sins, my sins were paid. When Jesus rose from the dead and conquered death, I conquered death.

Illustration

Abraham Lincoln was walking into town one day when he was overtaken by a man in a wagon going in the same direction. Lincoln hailed him and asked, "Will you have the goodness to take my overcoat to town for me?"

"With pleasure," responded the stranger, "but how will you get it again?" "Oh, very easily; I intend to remain in it!"

Mr. Lincoln's humor aside, his idea for a ride roughly parallels what happens when we trust Christ as Savior. We put on Christ and are clothed in His righteousness. Because we are in Him, we are assured of reaching our destination: salvation and eternal life. But apart from Christ we are left, as it were, standing by the side of the road -- and no amount of good works or ritual-keeping can save us.

When I came to the point where I trusted God to forgive my sins, I received forgiveness for my sins and freedom from condemnation:

(John 3:16-18 KJV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. {17} For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. {18} He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

This is the great cry of the world. We know something is wrong and we feel the guilt of our sins. But God offers complete forgiveness. He takes our sin and removes our condemnation.

(2 Cor 5:21 KJV) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

:1 who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

This phrase is not found in some Greek manuscripts, and so some of the modern translations have chosen to not include it.

The same phrase is found in verse 4 though, so in all practicality, it could just as easily be here as well.

We’ll see through the rest of the passage what it means to "walk after the Spirit". It simply means that you are a person who has the Holy Spirit in you, it means that you are a born again Christian (Rom.8:9)

:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

the Spirit of life … – Robertson: The principle or authority exercised by the Holy Spirit which bestows life and which rests "in Christ Jesus."

made me free – eleutheroo – to make free; set at liberty: from the dominion of sin

There are two laws. Is it the same as …

(Rom 7:22-23 KJV) For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: {23} But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

When we get a hold of what it means to be "in Christ", we no longer are bound by the other law.

Chuck: We were bound by sin and death just as we're bound by the law of gravity. It was holding us earthbound or, more accurately, flesh-bound. However, the law of gravity can be overcome by the proper application of certain natural laws, such as the principle of aerodynamics. Though aerodynamics doesn't negate gravity, it can overcome its force.

:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh

could not do – adunatos – without strength, impotent, powerless, weakly, disabled; unable to be done, impossible

it was weak – astheneo – to be weak, feeble, to be without strength, powerless; to be weak in means, needy, poor; to be feeble, sick

The Law is spiritual (Rom. 7:14), and when we are trying to obey it in the power of our own flesh, we can never accomplish God’s standards.

:3 God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

in the likeness – homoioma – that which has been made after the likeness of something; a figure, image, likeness, representation. Paul is saying that Jesus was a man, a human, with real flesh, but it wasn’t complete in that He had no sin. Just a likeness.

condemned – katakrino – to give judgment against, to judge worthy of punishment; to condemn. This is the verb form of the word used in verse 1 as "condemnation".

God sent Jesus to take on human flesh. While He was a human, He went to a cross to die, where God heaped the sins of the world upon Him. Jesus died, paying the price for our sins.

(Isa 53:5 KJV) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Illustration

Dwight L. Moody told of the young man who did not want to serve in Napoleon Bonaparte's army. When he was drafted, a friend volunteered to go in his place. The substitution was made, and some time later the surrogate was killed in battle.

The same young man was, through a clerical error, drafted again. "You can't take me" he told the startled officers. "I'm dead. I died on the battlefield."

They argued that they could see him standing right in front of them, but he insisted they look on the roll to find the record of his death. Sure enough, there on the roll was the man's name, with another name written beside it.

The case finally went to the emperor himself. After examining the evidence, Napoleon said, "Through a surrogate, this man has not only fought, but has died in his country's service. No man can die more than once, therefore the law has no claim on him."

:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

righteousness – dikaioma – that which has been deemed right so as to have force of law; what has been established, and ordained by law, an ordinance; the "requirement of the law"

might be fulfilled – pleroo – to make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full; to cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally

When we’re walking in the Spirit, when we are a Christian, we will obey the requirements of the Law.

Jesus paid for the world’s sins by dying on a cross. When we trust in Him, His blood is applied to our sins, and the requirement of the Law is met.

: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.

do mind – phroneo – to have understanding, be wise; to feel, to think; to direct one's mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for; to be of one's party, side with him (in public affairs)

The word can almost give you the impressions of political parties. We saw through the President’s impeachment and trial before congress a great deal of "partisanship". The Democrats voted pretty much as a block, and the Republicans did too. Which side of the "aisle" are you on? The side of the Holy Spirit, or the side of the flesh? When the Holy Spirit votes a certain way on an issue of your life, if you are "minded" or of the same party as He is, then you’ll vote the same way to.

The non-Christian is unable to comprehend with his mind the things of the Spirit:

(1 Cor 2:12-16 KJV) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. {13} Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. {14} But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. {15} But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. {16} For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

minded – phronema – what one has in the mind, the thoughts and purposes

carnally – sarx – flesh

Here we see the contrast between a person who has trusted Jesus for salvation and one that hasn’t. It’s all about death versus life.

:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

enmity – echthra – enmity; cause of enmity. There is a state of war between the flesh and God.

(Gal 5:17 KJV) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

subject – hupotasso – to arrange under, to subordinate; to subject, put in subjection; to subject one's self, obey; to submit to one's control; to yield to one's admonition or advice; to obey, be subject. A Greek military term meaning "to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader". In non-military use, it was "a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden".

can be – dunamai – to be able, have power whether by virtue of one's own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favorable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom; to be able to do something; to be capable, strong and powerful

The flesh, by itself, is unable to line itself up to obey the Law of God. It doesn’t have the power to do it. It is unable.

:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

please – aresko – to please; to strive to please; to accommodate one's self to the opinions desires and interests of others

cannot – dunamai – to be able, have power whether by virtue of one's own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favorable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom; to be able to do something; to be capable, strong and powerful

This is because in my flesh alone, there is "no good thing".

(Rom 7:18 KJV) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

You are not ever going to be able to please God by yourself. This is why it’s totally futile for a person to think they can clean up their life and make God happy. Impossible.

On the other hand, there is a way to please God.

(Heb 11:6 KJV) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

It all started when you began to trust Jesus for salvation. All the good deeds you’ve ever done were unable to please Him. All the sin you tried to stay away from was unable to please Him. Only when you started to trust Him was He pleased.

: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.

dwell in – oikeo – to dwell in

Here is where Paul defines for us what he is talking about by being "in the Spirit". He’s talking about being born again. When we are born again, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell inside of us. We cannot even be Christians without the Holy Spirit being inside of us.

Does this mean that if we are truly Christians, that we won’t have desires to sin or ever stumble? After, shouldn’t we be fulfilling the requirements of the Law if we’re really Christians? And if we really have the Spirit in us, won’t we simply stop sinning? If I sin, is it because the Spirit has left me and I’m no longer a Christian and I have to become born again?

The problem I believe is because Paul uses the term "flesh" or "carnal" several different ways. It would seem that he is using it primarily here to refer to the unbeliever, who is "totally" flesh. Yet Paul doesn’t use this term exclusively for unbelievers. He sometimes uses it for Christians, such as those in Corinth:

(1 Cor 3:1-4 KJV) And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. {2} I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. {3} For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? {4} For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

Paul has even used it to describe himself:

(Rom 7:14 KJV) For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

carnal – sarkikos – fleshly, carnal; having the nature of flesh, i.e. under the control of the animal appetites

I believe that the answer to this all comes in understanding that though we are now in the "Spirit", we do still have a flesh nature. As we grow in the Lord, we will grow more and more to enjoy the benefits of the work of the Holy Spirit.

(Gal 5:16-17 KJV) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. {17} For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

We face a constant barrage of choices each day about whether or not we are going to choose to walk in the Spirit, or walk in the flesh. And as we are growing to walk more and more in the Spirit, we are going to enjoy more and more these benefits.

:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

We will realize more and more that God does not condemn us. He stopped condemning us when we first received Jesus into our hearts.

:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

I will realize more and more that I don’t have to obey sin. I can be set totally free.

: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:

I will realize more and more that it’s not what I do that counts, it’s what God does that counts. That’s always what has been important.

:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

I think there’s another aspect as well, in that as we are walking in the Spirit, we will naturally do the kinds of things that are spelled out in the law.

: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.

I will see an effect on my mind. As I grow to walk more and more in the Spirit, I will find that my mind is being focused more and more on the things of God.

:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

When we begin to stray and walk after the flesh, we begin to taste a kind of death. Yet when we’re walking wholly yielded to the Spirit, we experience His life and peace.