Scripture
Observation
Interpretation
Application
[Rom 8:1-39 NKJV] 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.
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.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors--not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.
13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with [Him], that we may also be glorified together.
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected [it] in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only [that], but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?
25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for [it] with perseverance.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit [is], because He makes intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to [His] purpose.
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined [to be] conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God [is] for us, who [can be] against us?
32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? [It is] God who justifies.
34 Who [is] he who condemns? [It is] Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [Shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
FREEDOM FROM INDWEELLING SIN
a. New law: Holy Spirit vs. Law, vv. 1-4
1
Therefore: Since
mentally I seek to serve God
physically I still am drawn to seek physical comfort
I am not condemned if I submit to Jesus
His spirit helps me not walk in my flesh
2
Submitted to Jesus is Justification
3
I could not obey the law in my own strength
4
Walking in the spirit fulfills the requirement for Justice.
b. New struggle: Holy Spirit vs. flesh, vv. 5-13
5
If I am living in Christ, then I need to set my mind (memorize, meditate, focus) on the pure, positive and productive (1 Cor 13, Gal 5)
6
To be thinking about my fleshly comfort is death.
To be submitted to Christ and focused on God's kingdom rule is life and peace.
7
To be thinking about my fleshly comfort is being at war with God.
8
If I am focused on my own needs first I cannot please God.
9
If I am submitted to the Spirit, I am God's.
10
if Christ is in me, if my identity is him, I won't live in the flesh.
11
If God's Spirit is in me, I have his life in me.
12
I don't owe the flesh anything so am not subject to it.
13
if I live in the spirit, the flesh is dead.
c. New man, son of God: Holy Spirit and spirit of man, vv. 14-17
14
If I am led by the Spirit, I am God's child.
15
I am not under bondage of the flesh and fear.
I am adopted and can call God Father
16
God's spirit will testify I am his child.
17
I am not only his Child, but get heir of His inheritance
I inherit both the suffering/loss and the glorification
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, and are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed every day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. (2 Corinthians 4:16–17)
d. New creation: old vs. new, bondage vs. liberty, vv. 18-22
18
The future purity, perfection, power that will be revealed in me is sufficient reward for the current pain.
19
The rest of creation is excited about our future
20
The creation feels doomed
21
The creation will also overcome death
22
The creation can't wait until it is freed from the burden of our sin
e. New body: groaning vs. redeemed body, vv. 23-27
Holy Spirit helps us in our present bodies.
23
Followers of Jesus also are eager to leave the body
24
We hope for freedom from our body
25
We wait patiently on God for it
26.
25-
I hope and wait patiently for my sanctification here and eternal.
26
The Holy Spirit gives me power through prayer and even can help me know what to pray.
27 Jesus makes intercession to the Father which is aligned with the Spirit's help.
f. New purpose of God, vv. 28-34
God’s purpose guarantees the salvation of sinners.
28
I can do good if I love God and seek his calling.
29 - 30
God has called/justified his people to be sanctified (I am glorified when I demonstrate God's character)
???
The good in vs 28 is the conformity I gain through trials
31-34 As followers God is our champion and provided Jesus as our intercessor
31 If God has called, justified and sanctifies me, as I submit to him then I can't fail/be overcome in seeking his Kingdom.
32 God loves his chosen so much he sent Jesus to die and so will give us whatever else is needed to build his kingdom.
33 People and Satan (accuser) cannot bring charges against me since God has paid the price to Justify me.
34 Jesus's death, resurrection and rule justifies me.
g. New security of the believer, vv. 35-39
God’s love guarantees the security of the believer.
35 -39 As a follower of Jesus I am secure in my Justification (eternal security)
God’s new provision for sanctification, Rom 8:1-39
(Powerful sanctification)
Am I the boss or is God the boss in my life?
v1-12 – new life is ruled by the law of the Spirit
13-17 – new life being led by the Spirit
18-25 – motivating Hope as children and heirs
26-27- supernatural power in the Spirit
28-37 – Spirit conforms us to the image of his Son
38-39 - assurity of Eternal Restoration with God
17
Glorification - we are perfected in purity, purpose, power,
Glorification - strongs - to be exalted to the same glory to which Christ has been raised
When God glorifies a human being, he grants to that person the privilege of beholding his infinite beauty and becoming like him as much as a creature can. We will not see him the way you see a parade on television. We will see him the way you see a hurricane when you fly into the eye of the storm. “When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:4). - John Politan
28-29
When facing trials
•Does my response this conflict reveal that I am trying to be the boss of my life? (Living in the flesh) Prov 14:12
•Am I making God the boss and are my aspirations and hopes for God’s kingdom or my comfort and control?
•As I face trials, am I seeking God’s purpose and his Spirit’s power?
•As the Spirit guides me, am I submitting to the Authority God has put in my life? Am I in conflict because of this?
•Family, Work, Government, how I spend God’s time, money, strength
•
Am I the boss or is God the boss in my life?