My New Freedom Romans 8:1-11 Romans Series #24 Grace Baptist Church

Chapter 8 has been know as the… “Life in the Spirit” chapter “In Christ Jesus” chapter “Great Comfort” chapter

Since we have been justified… God is at work in our lives to sanctify us unto Himself. Sanctification does not occur through the works of the law. We are not conformed into the image of Jesus Christ through any legalistic code of conduct. NO, since we have been placed into the body of Christ, we are sanctified through the Holy Spirit of God in the inward, spiritual man. There remains an intense struggle between the mind of the converted one (the saint) - and the flesh of our sinful humanity.

When Paul looks … …at the fact that we have been made right with God - justified through the blood of Christ, he cannot help but be reminded of some powerful reasons to rejoice and to feel comfort. We will feel comfort because of our: New Freedom, New Father, New Future, New Function (facilitator), and New Foothold (fortress).

Today: Our New Freedom (8:1-11)

¶ There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not 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 to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 ¶ But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

The Big Announcement (1) ¶ There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. What - not a single condemnation, even though we are worthy of condemnation. Why - because we are in Christ Jesus- 6:11 connected by faith even though our flesh still wounds and trips us up. Notice the last phrases of vs. 1 and 4 - the same. This is a positional title - A description, not a “works” requirement! Illustration: Fox and Geese- Base was in the middle!

The Basic Annulment (2) 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. One canceled the other- once for all (aorist) - liberated, justified Freedom here and now in my mind Freedom later in my members or body. The Spirit of life livens our minds and activates our wills. The word “Law”- stands for reliability, regularity, dependability.

The Blessed Achievement (3, 4) 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. The tool available - the Law The task attempted - produce righteousness- a right standing before God in us (4) The truth admitted - it was impossible The turf announced - the flesh The trek (trip) acclaimed - God sent His own Son. He made the trek onto that turf The technicality addressed - in the likeness of sinful flesh The triumph attained - as to sin, once for all condemned sin’s power in the flesh. (Gal. 3:13) Christ has redeemed us from the curse- being made a curse for us. The task accomplished - that (purpose) the…

The Blunt Acknowledgment (contrast) (5, 6) 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 to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. “What is minded”- the thought product Minding or thinking comes first. Walking or conduct comes next. The fruit of a life comes last. The thought product of the flesh or carnal life is death. The thought product of the spiritual life is life and peace Full, rich, strong spiritual life Sweet, deep peace

The Brutish Armament (immovable animosity) (7, 8) 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. There is a godlessness- Part of the sinner’s thought product! Opposite of peace Personal opposition to God There is a lawlessness- anarchy-it is not subject There is a helplessness- Inability- neither indeed can be (Eph. 2:1) Impotency- cannot There is a hopelessness- permanence- outside of God’s answers this helplessness is lifelong. There is a purposelessness- cannot please God Subjection to God to please Him is the purpose of a believer’s life. Exaltation of self to please self is the purpose of an unbeliever’s life.

The Believer’s Accompaniment (9-11) 9 ¶ But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. The Indwelling Holy Spirit: Position - (9a)- Puts us in a new life- the sphere of the spiritual life- God’s Spirit. (Moved the USA – Citizenship by Naturalization) Possession - (9b)- Guarantees our belonging to God- Christ’s Spirit- Stated neg.- (Invisible mark on hand) Proclamation - (10)- Doesn’t change our bodies now but gives righteousness which gives life. Christ (Body of car- rusted out- good motor and battery) Promise - (11) Someday will raise our bodies from the dead and complete our salvation. Spirit of Him (I Cor. 15)