Romans 8 - Life in the Spirit
Freedom, Assurance, and Victory Through the Spirit of God
Romans 8
Deliverance from Bondage
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
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,
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.
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.
For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,
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,
and those who are in the flesh cannot * please God.
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.
If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.
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.
So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh -
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.
For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
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!"
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,
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.
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.
For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope
that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together * until now.
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.
For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?
But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
Our Victory in Christ
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;
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.
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.
For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
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?
Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies;
who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
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.
Three Questions
How does Romans 8 define the conflict between flesh and spirit?
What is the ultimate destiny promised to believers in Romans 8?
How does God's love secure believers' salvation in Romans 8?
Question 1 - How does Romans 8 define the conflict between flesh and spirit?
Here is how Romans 8 defines the conflict between flesh and spirit:
Living according to the flesh leads to death while living according to the spirit leads to life and peace. The flesh is hostile toward God and cannot submit to God's law, making it impossible for those living in the flesh to please God.
Believers are not indebted to the flesh and should not live according to it. Instead, they should put to death the deeds of the body through the spirit to live.
Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God and heirs to his kingdom. They have received a spirit of adoption, allowing them to call God "Abba, Father!" The Spirit itself testifies with their spirit that they are God's children.
The conflict between flesh and spirit is not only an individual struggle but also impacts all of creation. Creation was subjected to futility and now groans in labor pains, waiting for the revelation of God's children and its own liberation from corruption.
Believers also groan inwardly as they wait for the redemption of their bodies, anticipating the fullness of their adoption. They have the firstfruits of the Spirit but still experience the limitations of their physical existence.
The Spirit helps believers in their weakness, interceding for them with inexpressible groanings when they do not know how to pray. God, who searches hearts, understands the Spirit's intention and ensures the intercession aligns with his will.
Nothing can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus. This includes death, life, angels, principalities, present or future things, powers, height, depth, or any other created thing. They overcome all these challenges through Christ, who loved them.
God is for his chosen ones, acquitting them from any charges brought against them. Christ, who died and was raised, sits at God's right hand, interceding for them. They conquer all things through him who loved them.
Romans 8 presents the conflict between flesh and spirit as a struggle between the desires of the earthly self and the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Question 2 - What is the ultimate destiny promised to believers in Romans 8?
The ultimate destiny promised to believers in Romans 8 is glorification with Christ. This means that believers will share in Christ's glory and be made like him.
Here are some other aspects of the ultimate destiny promised to believers in Romans 8:
Freedom from condemnation. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Life and peace. The concern of the spirit is life and peace.
Adoption as children of God. Believers have received a spirit of adoption, through which they can call God "Abba, Father!" As children of God, they are also heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.
The redemption of their bodies. Believers wait for the redemption of their bodies, which will be set free from slavery to corruption.
An inheritance with Christ. Believers will inherit everything with Christ.
Inseparable from the love of God. Nothing will be able to separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
The sufferings of this present time are nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed to believers. Believers wait with endurance for this glory, knowing that God is for them and that nothing can separate them from his love.
Question 3 - How does God's love secure believers' salvation in Romans 8?
Here are some of the ways that God's love secures believers' salvation:
Nothing can separate believers from God's love. The chapter ends with the powerful affirmation that nothing "will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." This includes both earthly and spiritual powers: death, life, angels, principalities, present things, future things, powers, height, depth, or any other creature.
God will give believers everything they need. Since God did not spare his own Son but gave him up for all believers, he will also give them everything else they need along with him.
God works all things for the good of believers. All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose. This means that even suffering and hardship can be used by God for the ultimate good of believers.
God justifies believers. He predestined them to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that Jesus might be the firstborn among many brothers. Those whom God predestined he also called; those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.
The Spirit intercedes for believers. The Spirit helps believers in their weakness and intercedes for them according to God's will. Because of this, believers can be confident that God hears and answers their prayers.
Believers have the assurance of salvation. The Spirit bears witness with their spirit that they are children of God. This gives believers the assurance that they are saved and will inherit eternal life.
Believers are more than conquerors through Christ. Even in the face of suffering and persecution, believers can be confident of victory because of Christ's love for them. They will conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved them.
Believers are freed from the law of sin and death. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set them free from the law of sin and death. This means they are no longer condemned for their sin and are free to live in newness of life.
Romans 8 emphasizes that God's love is the unshakeable foundation of believers' salvation. It is a love that protects, provides, empowers, and sustains them, guaranteeing their ultimate victory and glorification.
Today’s Action
One action you can take to apply the teachings of Romans 8 is to live with confidence in God's love and guidance:
Meditate on God's Love and Guidance: Spend time each day in prayer or meditation, focusing on the assurance that nothing can separate you from the love of God. Let this assurance guide your decisions and actions, fostering a sense of peace and purpose.
This action is inspired by Romans 8:38-39, which declares that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. By internalizing this truth, you can live more confidently and securely in your faith.
Check out this podcast as the hosts dive deeply into this topic.