New Life In The Spirit Series

ROMANS 8: 1 -4

"NEW LIFE IN THE SPIRIT"

In Chapter 8 the tone of Paul's letter changes to one of victory and confidence. He has discovered that the same grace that saved him will also enable him. Just as he transferred his trust and surrendered to Christ for his salvation, so he must transfer his trust and continue to surrender to Christ for his for his sanctification. This turning from the self empowered life allows us to live the Spirit empowered life. Chapter eight of Romans is the fullest discussion of the New Life in the Spirit contained in Scriptures.

The New Life in the Spirit, made possible through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord of Life, brings deliverance from the old bondage of sin and death. One obtains the New Life in the Spirit by availing oneself to the resources of life that are his "in Christ Jesus" through whom we are more than conquers. The Christian life is life in the Spirit, which is to say a life that is animated, sustained, directed and enriched by the Spirit. Without the Spirit, the Christian life is impossible. [John Stott. Romans. InterVarsity Press. Dowers Grove, IL.1994. 216].

I. FREED FROM CONDEMNATION, 1.

II. FREED BY THE SPIRIT OF LIFE, 2.

III. FREED FOR SANCTIFICATION, 3-4.

A. What Christ has done (v. 3).

B. What the Holy Spirit does (v. 4)

Paul launches this portion of his letter with a thunderous declaration of freedom in 8:1. "There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

There is therefore now points back to the triumphant note of verse 25 where Paul finally perceived the solution to his battle with besetting sin. Paul had been attempting with all his human strength of will and mind to keep the Law and serve God. But he continually fell short and sinned and he continually fell short and did not serve God. Is God going to condemn Paul for all his failures in his struggling? Is God going to condemn Paul because he failed to do the will of God in his flesh? No!

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." God never condemns us for striving to serve Him. Even if like Paul we attempt to live out of the power of the flesh. In our attempting to serve God we might fail and fail, but God will not condemn us for it when we stand before the bema seat of Christ. O praise His dear name!

Yes there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, for those who have transferred their trust for their eternal salvation from themselves and from any thing they can do to Christ. Who place their faith in who He is and what He has done - there are no condemnations. God will not judge us for our sin, He will judge us concerning what we have done for Him. The Christian's judgment is one of ascertaining rewards (Mk. 9:41) not a judgment of condemnation. [The reason why there is no condemnation is because we are set free rom the terrible sequence of cause and effect which constitutes ‘the law of sin and death.']

But for those outside of Christ Jesus, for those outside of the ark of safety, they will be condemned, for there is salvation in no one else. For there is no other name given among men where by you must be saved. God will condemn those who reject His love offered in the dying of His Son on the Cross for their sins and acceptance.

As an additional word of warning, there is a judgment of condemnation for those who are not saved, for those who refuse to receive the mercy God is presently offering. Those who reject Christ will stand before the Great White Throne and the books will be opened and they will be judged according to what they have done in the flesh (Rev. 20:11-15).

Those who are judged as falling short there will be cast into the Lake of Fire, where the worm does not die and the flame is not quenched (Mark 9:45-48). They shall weep and gnash their teeth Mt 13:41-43; 50 8:12).

Now the analysis is finished & the discovery has been made that indwelling sin can dominated the old nature, the fallen man, the old fleshly. Paul is brought to the point of decision. He can try to live in himself in his old man or he can yield to God and live in Christ Jesus.

Paul has failed, but his failures will not be held against him for he has found the way of forgiveness, the way of cleansing, the way of victory. He has surrendered to living life "in Christ."