The Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus
Romans 8:1-2, 11
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.….But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
Romans 8 is a meaty, power-packed passage of Scripture that comes on the heel of one of the most complicated chapters of the bible for me to understand, Romans 7. Theologians wrestle with how to apply some passages of Scripture found in Romans 7 without abusing them. Some say Paul was talking about his personal life, others say Paul was talking about the predicament confronting the Jews and the human race after God had revealed His divine Law through the Prophet Moses. Others believe Paul was referring to his former life, “before Christ” and not his present life, “after Christ”. Personally, I believe in Romans Chapter 7, Paul regresses as he talks about life under the law without grace or the ability to perform its demands. There are several points that Paul makes clear in Romans chapter 7. First, Paul asserts the fact that the believer is no longer bound by the law. God’s grace has appeared to all, through that grace, the believer has made us free from the law. Secondly, Paul tells us that God sent his law that sin might be revealed. The law could not save nor redeem, but it made us recognize the depth of our sin and declared us guilty before God. In other words, the Law made sin appear exceedingly sinful. Thirdly, Paul confesses that the law caused a horrible struggle within him. Romans 7:21 describes the terrible battle that raged within,
“I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.”
General, the Law caused the Jews great struggle because they knew what to do to please God, they wanted to do right and they delighted in the Law of God, but they had no power to perform it. So that on the one hand the Jews rejoiced in the knowledge of God’s Law, but on the other hand they agonized with their powerlessness to keep the Law’s righteous demands. They had the Law but they could not do the Law. They understood what God required, but fail to fulfill those requirements.
In Romans Chapter seven, Paul was describing the trapped condition of a man under the Law with no power to perform it. Such a man has a mind to serve God, but is dominated by fleshly desires that demand him to serve sin. Read Romans 7:24,
“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”
Paul expresses these thoughts in the first person, although they apply to every Jewish person who loved the Law of God. Paul called himself a captive, a slave under sin’s control. He lived as a helpless slave of sin, and as such, was condemned under a sentence of death. As Paul continues, he calls these uncontrollable fleshly desires a “body of death." This terminology denotes a flesh controlled by sin and destined to be destroyed. The prevailing question of his mind was, “Who shall deliver me from this body of death?”
That is the question of every bound person. The years of their lives have been heartbreaking and difficult. They live in constant disappointment. Many never dreamed of being bound by alcohol or drug addiction for so many years. They feel trapped with no way out. They know what good is, but they find themselves doing evil. The Law with all its demands has not helped them; philosophy with all its self-help suggestions could not help them; so they cry out secretly with Apostle Paul as he cry out publicly, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” The answer is found in Christ Jesus our Lord, who said in Matthew 11,
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Paul draws idea of this body of death from the ancient evil practice of strapping the dead body of the victim onto the back of the criminal who killed him. The process would cause a slow, painful, unavoidable and inescapable death. The skin worms from the dead body would begin to devour the body of the living person until they were dead. This invasion of parasites and diseased tissue could takes days and sometimes weeks to carry out the fatal sentence. It was really a “body of death.” Paul uses this strong language to describe a sinfully corrupt, immoral man trying to obey the holy Law of God and avoid its penalty in his own strength. Paul cries out for deliverance because he could not overcome the inbred tendencies of his flesh. Paul details his frustration this way in Romans 7:14-19,
“For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.”
He concludes the chapter in a shout of triumph, in Romans 7:25, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Paul found the answer to life’s dilemma. Through the power of the Christ, the believer can experience complete victory over the world, the flesh and the devil. Even though believers in Christ are set free from the type of struggle Paul describes here, Believers are confronted with some inward struggles as they live the Christian life. Believers find themselves hating sin that they sometimes commit, yet they called to glorify God their daily experience. They are commanded to let their lights shine before man that their good works may be seen. They are groan after holiness, but never reach the level of perfection that they have witnessed in Jesus Christ. Believers sometimes sigh and sing, repent and rejoice, fight and conquer. The old sin nature no longer lord or reign over their lives because of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus. One may say, “If there was a struggle under the law and there is a struggle under grace, what difference does Christ make?” Or “What is the difference between those who are saved and those who are not?” Paul sets out to answer that very question in Romans chapter 8. Romans Chapter 8 is designed to unlock the mystery and addresses the subject of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus and the difference Christ makes. Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit completely changes the life of every believer. Believers are called to be lights in a dark world; a city on a hill for all to see. The question for the believer has drastically changed. They no longer ask, “Who can deliver us?” They have already been delivered by the blood of Christ. The believer now must ask, “Can the world see the difference Christ made in my life?”
Recent statistics states that very little difference exists in the American population, the rate of divorce, abortion, alcoholism and AIDS among those who do and do not attend church is about the same. These results caused people question the validity of Scripture and the value of the church. People still want to know: does Christ make a difference? The world asks this question because among the people they know, they see virtually no change. Through Christ the believer has the power to overcome sin. They have power to be different and they are different. In spite of this, some believers may be guilty of yielding to sin, disappointing God and themselves, God has given the believer power to overcome sin. Satan, sinful flesh, and sinful tendencies no longer dominate their lives. They have the power of the Holy Spirit abiding to effectively resist sin and live holy lives. .
In Romans 8:1-11, Paul describes the wonderful place of victory given to believers in Christ who walk after the Spirit. Paul affirms that at least four changes in the life of believers distinguish them from everyone else. As we look at these things, I encourage you to think about your own lifestyle. Has Christ made a difference in you? Can the people on your block see Christ in You? How is your Christian walk before fellow employees on your job? Paul begins by stating that the believer had experienced a change in their condition; they have moved from condemnation to a place of no condemnation before God! .
Our Condition Changed
Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
The believer has been totally forgiven by God. He has been completely justified by God, and there is no condemnation in their relationship with God. The Apostle Paul does not say that there is no corruption in the believers that are in Christ Jesus. He says, “There is no condemnation” to them. Paul does not say, “There is no imperfection” in the believer. He states, “There is no condemnation.” Perfection in holiness is always the saint's aim in this life. It is the goal of every true believer. The attainment of personal perfection is only possible in the next life. Believers are striving towards perfection. Paul does not say, “There is no correction needed to them”, but he says, “No condemnation.” Believers will always being corrected in one way or another, but condemned they never shall be. The apostle does not say, “There is nothing that deserves condemnation,” because believers still miss the mark. Paul does not say, “There is no condemnation only to a particular believer, but he extends the blessed privilege to all believers in Christ Jesus. Finally, He does not say, “There shall be no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus one day, but Paul expresses the fact “there is Now no condemnation.” The believer condition has changed from condemnation to no condemnation. The believer has everlasting life now, and has already passed from death to life. .
Satan may still accuse the believer, others may be disappointed in the believer, but there is now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus who walk after the Spirit. Paul begins this passage by stating the most beautiful words known to Christianity, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” This statement guarantees the forgiveness of sins for those who have trusted in Christ and made Him Lord of their lives. Even though all men started in the same condition, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. There were none are righteous, no not one. The Believer’s condition has changed. John 3:16 explained what happened in a nutshell,
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Man was lost, but God sent His Son to be an offering for man’s sin debt. Jesus paid the price, accepted our penalty and gave us His righteousness and our freedom. The charges against the believer are dropped and believers were declared innocent and free to go! When God comes to judge the world, he will see only two types of people: those in Christ and those apart from Christ; those with no condemnation and those who will stand condemned.
Recently, I received a letter from a man who began his letter with this statement: “I never thought I would ever need God.” Now he is in prison, charged with first degree murder of his former girlfriend. His ungodly deed has left three children without a mother; a father and mother without their daughter, and himself with guilt and shame. He found himself crying out to God in need of His help. After months of agony, he repented and confessed Jesus as Lord of his life.
I know many people feel that jail house conversations are swallow and unproductive. They struggle with the prospect that God would forgive such a horrible sin. If this brother, truly repented and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord of his life, Paul says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” That prisoner’s condition has changed. Yes, he may still be convicted for his crime. His crime was real and dreadful with real consequences. He should pay for his crime. But please know, “There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” The grace of God is simply amazing. It can save every wretch that will trust Christ. Christ has set the believer free! Our sins are forgiven and we have been declared righteous! If Christ can save them, He can help them stand. They belong to him and He belongs to them. Christ with us is more that the world against us. If Christ does not condemn us, how can we condemn each other? The Believer’s condition has changed! There is now no condemnation over his life. Secondly, our character has changed.
Our Character Changed
Romans 8:2 “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
The believer’s character has changed from powerlessness to powerfulness. Paul confessed that before Christ he was powerless to keep the law of God. He had a strong desire, but a weak character. Before becoming a Christian, we all lived under the dominion of sin and in disobedience to God. We knew the difference between good and evil, but mostly chose evil instead of good. There were times when we even tried to resist sin and evil, but its temptations were too strong. We were powerless to change ourselves. With this inbred weakness, the unbeliever fell into sin and lived under its control. It was a losing game until Christ came and broke sin’s hold. Paul states that through Christ Jesus “the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” In other words, the power of sin is no longer in control; the controlling power of the Holy Spirit gives us complete victory over the power of sin and death. When people come to Christ in faith and obedience, the Holy Spirit delivers them from sin’s controlling influence. Do you know what that means? It means the devil no longer set the agenda for our lives. We are free from Satan’s dominating control. The believer is free to choose his a master. Satan cannot lord over the believer any more. The believer has submitted himself to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit now guides his life. Our character has changed from powerlessness to powerfulness. If Christian choose to live in known sin, under sin’s control, their lives becomes a contradiction. How can we who are free from sin live any longer therein? How can light live in darkness? Does this mean that a new believer will never sin again? No, but it does mean that they have a new strength to resist temptation and overcome sin. If they fall, they will rise again by the grace of God knowing that they can find forgiveness and acceptance in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Believers are no longer spiritual weaklings. They are no longer at the mercy of Satan’s control. They have a new strength and a new master. They can choose their response; control their words and guide their actions. Their character has changed from powerlessness to sin to that of powerfulness over sin. Christians can no longer say, “The devil made me do it.” Satan does not have dominion over them any longer. Satan’s hands have been bound and his power broken. The law of the spirit of life in Christ has set us free from the law of sin and death. Satan is only at liberty to bombard us as believers with his idea. The mind has become his new battleground. Believers are able to combat Satan’s attacks by being renewed in the spirit of their minds. God has given us as believers everything needed to wage a successful campaign against Satan. One writer says that, “Satan’s ideas are like birds flying over your head; although we cannot prevent them from flying over us, we can keep them from building a nest in our hair!” Our condition has changed and our character has changed. Thirdly, our concentration has changed. .
Our Concentration Changed
Romans 8:5-6 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” .
Our concentration has changed from carnal mindedness to spiritual mindedness. There is a great change in our condition; there is a great change in our character, and there is also a great change in the way we think and act. We have a new mind set. Our old mind was dominated with fleshly thoughts, but our mind is set on things above. Before salvation came, we thought about how to please ourselves and how to satisfy our flesh. Selfishness controlled our decisions. We spent most of our time trying to get over! Now we have a new desire to please our God, pursue holiness, and to do His will. When a believer is not trying to please God and pursue holiness, there is some doubt about their salvation. If a person is still carnal minded in their thinking, desires and acts, they are probably still carnal in their heart. True believers have a changed concentration. Paul describes that new concentration in 1Corinthains 9:27,
“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
Spiritual minded concentration cause us to make decisions that spiritual and God pleasing. Believers desire to do the will of God. They make decision based on eternal consequences. They submit themselves to the laws of God rather than resist them. They seek to live in harmony with the dictates of the Holy Spirit. The carnal minded was not subject to the law of God and maintain an attitude of constant rebellion. The carnal mind cannot submit to God’s law because they had no desire for godliness or power to submit to God’s law. The concentration of the believer was transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit; He changes their character; and refocused their mindset. There is a new concentration in the believer. Their priorities have changed. Their thinking has been rearranged. Now they desire to glorify God, live like Christ Jesus, walk and talk like Him. Their conversation has moved from the gutter to the mountaintop. Their mindset has changed. They are not moved by the same old things in the same old way. They see the world, others and themselves differently. There is a new desire in their heart that all men would accept Christ and be saved. They pray a different kind of prayer. They now look for a new heaven and a new earth. They have a new concentration. Believers have begun preparing for a new home in glory. Their concentration is no longer only on what they can eat, what they can drink, what they can put on or where they live. There is a new understanding that this world is not their home! They are sojourners only passing through. Thanks be to God for a new concentration!
In this text, Paul says the believers “have their minds set on what the Spirit desires” and they lived a life of joy and peace. On the contrary, those without Christ are enemies of God, and hostile toward mankind. They cannot please God because their minds are controlled by a carnal sinful nature. The carnal man does not and cannot submit to God’s law.” Their actions cannot change until their mindset changes. There came be no new conduct or attitude until the thought life changes. The power of the Holy Spirit removed the condemnation, transformed the character, and refocused the mindset of the believer. When their concentration changed, their priorities were rearranged once and for all. All these things happened as the result of Jesus coming into their hearts and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. There is definitely a new concentration! The songwriter in the old Negro spiritual said it this way, “I know I’ve been changed, I know I’ve been changed, I know I’ve been changed, the angels in heaven, done signed my name!” The believer has a changed condition from condemnation to no condemnation; a changed character from powerlessness to powerfulness, a changed concentration from carnal mindedness to spiritual mindedness and finally, a changed confidence.
Our Confidence Changed
Romans 8:11 “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” .
The believer’s confidence changes from fear of the future to faith in the future. In a final comment, Paul offers a word of promise and encouragement from God. He summarized the persistent hope that all believers should have in the future. While living under sin’s domination, mankind had little hope of facing a just God or an uncertain the future without fear and anxiety. The Law made all mankind realize how sinful men were. There was none righteous, no not one! All had sinned and come short of the glory of God. The believer has now received the spirit of grace and glory. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ allows the believer to live under the influence of the Holy Spirit as obedient children of God. They have a new confidence of a future resurrection unto eternal life. The believer has the assurance that the same power that raised Christ from dead; the same power that has given them victory sin; the same that has guided their earthly pilgrimage; will quicken their mortal bodies and raise them up in the last day. Christ alone is the basis of that blessed hope! He alone paid their sin debt, satisfied the claims of the justice of God. Christ alone claimed them for himself and his kingdom. Even though the believer does not know the day or the hour, the promise of God is sure. The resurrection power of Christ will raise them up even from the power of the grave in that day. Believers have a changed condition, a changed character, a changed concentration, a changed destination and they will have a new body. “Ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down!”
What give you confidence about the future? On what source of authority do you place your confidence? What assurance do you have concerning life in the world to come? “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.”
Those without Christ have only one hope. They hope that the Bible, its historical evidence and 2,000 years of Christian witness are wrong. They hope that the grave is the end and that there is no life beyond. The authority for their hope is the imagination of their own mind. Like so many religions of the world, they betting that the Bible is a lie and cannot be trusted. Recently, I took a course of study in the Religion of Islam at Campbell University. One can be awed by the dedication of the practitioners to a religious system. I heard the ceremonial prayers of devotion repeated in Arabic and witnessed other required activities. The question was asked, “Will those who practice these things get you into paradise?” The Iman’s answer was filled with doubt and uncertainty. The only thing he was sure of was the fact that no one could ever be sure. He responded, “We don’t know, Only Allah, knows for sure! We can never be sure!”
I thank God for His word. His word is sure and settled. In Psalms 119:89 David said, “Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” Then in Matthew 24:35 Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Finally, Apostle Peter said in 1Peter 1:25, “But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” We can trust the Word of God because it is enduring, everlasting and unchanging. Because His word is true, we will spend eternity somewhere. The grave is not the end. Let’s read Romans 8:11again, allow this to fill your heart with the blessed hope of resurrection one more time. “But if the Spirit of him (God) that raised up Jesus (His Son) from the dead dwell in you (by His Spirit), he (God) that raised up Christ (His Son) from the dead shall also quicken (make alive) your mortal (death doomed) bodies by his Spirit (Holy Spirit) that dwelleth (abides) in you.”
If Christ dwells in our hearts, even though our bodies will die, we can rest assured that we will be raised again. What difference does Christ make? What is the difference between being in Christ and being out of Christ? Does Christ change anything? Christ in the life in the life of a believer changes everything! The believer’s condition has changed from one of condemnation to one of no condemnation. The believer’s Character has changed from one of powerlessness to sin’s domination to one of powerfulness over Satan, the flesh and the world. The believer’s concentration has changed from one of carnal mindedness not subject to the Law of God to one of spiritual mindedness totally submitted to God. Finally, the believer’s confidence has changed from one of fear of the future to one of having faith in the future. Believers are changed! “I know I have been changed; I know I have been changed; I know I have been changed ‘cause the angel in heaven, done changed my name!” They still have some struggles; they still fall short sometimes; and they are not perfect, but they are different. They are changed!
