A Broke Evangelist

November 16, 2024

Romans 8:2-4

Life in the Spirit vs. Life in the Flesh  

“2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3For 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. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

If you’re like me, you might have been lured into watching last night’s “main event” from Texas, where Mike Tyson stepped out of retirement at 58 to box Jake Paul, a 27-year-old internet influencer turned “professional” boxer. The hype was real, but let’s be honest—it was a little absurd. I mean, Mike Tyson is a legend, and Jake Paul… well, he’s known for making waves on the internet, and not always in a good way. 

Now, I spend a decent amount of time online, but I’ll admit I didn’t know much about Jake Paul. That’s not an accident. I try to steer clear of internet influencers whose main claim to fame is turning themselves into viral clowns for cash. Sure, there are exceptions—some influencers genuinely do what they love and share their passion with the world, and that’s great. But the ones who make a living off public pranks or being annoying? Hard pass.

For me, the best influencers are the ones with heart or humor. I love the folks who rescue dogs, whip up amazing recipes, or disguise themselves as a bush on the sidewalk to scare unsuspecting pedestrians (now *that* is quality entertainment). One standout is a Mexican grandmother who has millions of followers. All she does is cook traditional Mexican dishes and narrate what she’s doing in Spanish. The magic? People who don’t even speak Spanish adore her! And then there’s my friend with a knack for dad jokes—thousands of followers can’t get enough of his corny one-liners. Even my daughter has a modest following on Instagram, sharing tips on scoring second-hand treasures.

As for me, I’m no influencer, but I do have something to share. Lately, I’ve been diving deep into the Bible, working through what are considered its top 100 chapters. My goal? To soak up as much wisdom as I can before my time on this spinning ball of dirt is up. And who knows—maybe one day, I’ll muster the courage to put my face online and let the world know that God’s love is big enough for everyone. For now, though, I’ll keep my ugly mug offline, focus on getting healthy, and avoid any “side effects” of medication—or bad boxing matches.

With that being said, let’s take a look at Romans 8:2-4…

Romans 8:2 – because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

The law of sin and death was a powerful, seemingly unbreakable rule. Every wrong choice we make and every graveyard we pass serves as a stark reminder of its grip. But there’s good news—the law of the Spirit of life in Christ is even stronger. This life-giving law sets us free from the grip of sin and death!  We are no longer slaves to sin. While Christians may stumble, we are not bound to sin’s control. Its dominion over us is broken. We’re also free from the law of death, meaning death no longer holds lasting power over believers. It’s not the end of our story—it’s a defeated foe.

Romans 8:1 assures us we’re free from the guilt of sin. No more condemnation. Romans 8:2 goes further, declaring that we’re free from the power of sin. So, while the law of sin and death is strong, the Spirit of life in Christ reigns supreme—and that’s a freedom worth celebrating!

It’s like being stuck in a massive escape room—one with no way out. The walls are high, the locks are unbreakable, and every clue we uncover only reminds us of how impossible it is to escape. That’s the law of sin and death. It’s like being trapped in a game where every wrong move—every mistake—is added to the tally of why we’ll never win. Every corner of that room screams defeat. But then someone steps into the room to pick the locks, tear down the walls, and lead us into freedom. That’s the law of the Spirit of life in Christ. It’s not figuring it out for ourselves, but having one to do it for us.

And once we’re out of that escape room, we’re free! The guilt that keeps us stuck inside no longer holds us back. Sure, we might stumble outside—old habits might trip us up—but we’re no longer a prisoner to the game. The locks have been broken. The walls are gone.

From this point we’re not longer defined by the mistakes we made in the room (free from sin’s guilt) and sin’s power to keep us trapped is broken (free from sin’s power). So while the escape room seemed unbeatable, the Spirit of life in Christ has given you the ultimate key to freedom. That’s worth celebrating!

Romans 8:3 - 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. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 

The law can do a lot of good things. It can guide us, teach us, and show us glimpses of God’s character. But one thing it can’t do is give our flesh the energy or power to please God. The law sets the standard, but it doesn’t provide the strength to live up to it.  Why? Because the law speaks to us as we are—fleshly and flawed. It addresses our human nature but can’t elevate us beyond it. That’s where the Spirit steps in. The Spirit doesn’t just tweak the old us—it transforms us, crucifying the old man and bringing to life the new man, a reality that’s far higher than the limits of the flesh.

The law, for all its power to detect sin, could never defeat it. That’s a job only Jesus could do—and He did, once and for all, through His work on the cross. But to defeat sin, Jesus had to step into our world, identifying with those bound by it. Paul’s words here are incredibly intentional: Jesus came in the likeness of sinful flesh. He wasn’t sinful Himself, but He fully identified with our struggles. He got close enough to the mess to clean it up entirely, and in doing so, He accomplished what the law never could—victory over sin!

Think of the law like a road map. It’s detailed, accurate, and shows us exactly where we need to go. We can trace the roads, study the routes, and admire how perfectly it lays out the journey. But here’s the catch: the map doesn’t give us the fuel to travel. It can point the way, but it can’t power the car to get us there. That’s where the Spirit comes in. The Spirit isn’t just the fuel; it’s like being handed a new car that’s fully equipped to take the journey, powered by something far greater than we ever had on our own.  The law is good—it tells us what’s right and wrong, like that map showing where the road curves or where the potholes are. But it can’t fix the car if it’s broken or if the tank is empty. It can only show us what we’re up against. The Spirit, however, does what the map can’t. It doesn’t just fix the car; it transforms it into something entirely new—a vehicle that doesn’t rely on old, worn-out parts but runs on a power source that never fails. 

When Jesus came, He did something remarkable. He didn’t just send instructions or issue updates for the map. He stepped into the road with us, into our broken-down vehicles, so to speak. He became like us, experiencing the bumps and struggles firsthand, but without any of the flaws. Then, by His work on the cross, He cleared the obstacles entirely and made a way for us to travel freely, empowered by His Spirit. So, while the law is valuable for showing us the way, only Jesus—and the Spirit He gives—can take us where we need to go. With Him, we’re not just following a map; we’re living a transformed journey, free from the struggles that once left us stranded.

Romans 8:4 - in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

God’s design is for the Spirit to take the lead, not the flesh. When we let the flesh call the shots, we end up stuck in the same frustrating cycles Paul described in his “Romans 7” struggle—trapped in habits we hate and longing for a way out. But when the Spirit is in charge, life takes on a whole new direction. Our walk—the day-to-day rhythm of how we live—is no longer ruled by old patterns but guided by the Spirit’s wisdom and power.

Walking in the Spirit isn’t just about taking a single step; it’s about setting a course for your life. It’s a journey where the Holy Spirit directs our choices, fuels our progress, and keeps us moving forward. It’s not a sprint or a quick fix—it’s steady, continued motion in the right direction. And the best part? We’re never walking alone. The Spirit is with us every step of the way, making sure we stay on course and enjoy the journey.

Referring back to that trip with the map that doesn’t do anything for us, we have the car, the open road, and a destination in mind. But here’s the dilemma: who’s driving? If the flesh is behind the wheel, it’s like letting a reckless driver steer. Sure, it might feel exciting at first, but soon we’re veering off course, hitting potholes, and finding ourselves stuck in the same frustrating loops—circling the same block over and over. Now, we hand the keys over to the Spirit. With the Spirit in charge, our road trip changes completely. It’s not just about getting to our destination; it’s about enjoying the journey. The Spirit knows the best route—avoiding traffic jams and dead ends—and provides the fuel to keep us going. Walking in the Spirit is like having a reliable GPS that doesn’t just guide us but also tunes the radio to uplifting music and adjusts the temperature for a comfortable ride. 

This journey isn’t a drag race or a quick detour; it’s a steady, purposeful drive. Each mile brings us closer to becoming the person God designed us to be. And the best part? We’re not alone. The Spirit isn’t just a navigator—it’s our constant companion, ready to encourage us when we’re tired, redirect us when we make a wrong turn, and celebrate the progress we’re making. 

Time to hit the road…

More to come…

A Broke Evangelist – November 16, 2024

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