Romans Part 23

Romans Part 23 – Romans 8:1-11 Verse 1 • “Therefore” – There are 27 “therefore’s” in Romans. You can some of them to build up to where we are now explaining the gospel – Rom 2:1, 3:20, 3:28, 4:16, 5:1, 6:4, 8:1 • “now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” – This is a very encouraging verse but it must be built upon its context in the book. Understanding who you are in Christ even tho you still struggle with the flesh. • “who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit” – Not a condition for no condemnation, rather a statement of those who are in Christ – Rom 4:4-5, 5:1-2. Those in Christ are those who walk after the Spirit. Verse 2-3 • “law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus” – We have life in Christ – Rom 6:8-11 • “hath made me free” – From the law “Torah” because we are under grace – Rom 6:14, Gal 2:4, 4:9, 5:1 • “from the law of sins and death” – Law – Not Torah but a rule, general law. Rom 7:21-23 • “what the law could not do….. weak through the flesh” – Law (Torah) was weak – Acts 13:39, Rom 3:20 • “Likeness of sinful flesh” – Christ was not sinful flesh but was man – Phil 2:7-8, Gal 4:4 • “condemned sin in the flesh” – 2Cor 5:21 Gal 3:13 Verse 4-8 • “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us” - By faith – Rom 3:21-22, 4:22-25, 2Cor 5:21. Notice it is the righteousness of the law fulfilled in us and not us fulfilling the righteousness of the law – Duet 6:25, Rom 10:2-4. • “who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit” – Not a condition but a statement. Only those in Christ can walk after the Spirit – 1Cor 2:12-14. • “vs 5&6” – Paul is making distinction between 2 different groups here. Those “that are” after the flesh, and those “that are” after the Spirit. • The carnal mind reaps death, the spiritual mind reaps life and peace – 1Cor 2:12. • “The carnal mind is enmity against God” – But God has made a way for peace – Rom 5:8-10, Eph 2:15-16. • “not subject to the law of God neither, indeed can be” – 2Cor 2:14, Eph 2:2-3 • “they that are in the flesh cannot please God” – This is not those in Christ – Rom 5:18-19, Heb 11:6 – You get in Christ by faith Rom 3-5. • You can make these first 8 verses to teach you can lose salvation if you read them out of context. Paul makes it clear in verse 9 that he is making distinction between those in Christ and those not in Christ. Verse 9 • “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit” – Paul clearly says those whom the spirit dwells in are not in the flesh but in the spirit. It is positional. • “if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you” – In Greek “if” can be translated “since” but it doesn’t matter here. We just need to answer when does the Spirit indwell you? – Eph 1:13-14, 4:30, 1Cor 3:16, 6:19, 12:13. You can read this phrase backwards. • “Spirit of Christ” – Same as the Holy Spirit, Spirit of God – John 14:26, 15:26, Matt 28:20. • “none of his” – You are saved by faith, you are sealed by the spirit when saved, if you don’t have the Spirit it’s because you haven’t trusted the gospel and you are not Christ. Verse 10 - 11 • “if Christ be in you the body is dead” - Rom 6:3,6, In Christ your flesh is dead. • “Spirit of life is righteousness” – We live by faith in the righteousness of Christ – Gal 2:20, 2Cor 5:21 • “vs 11” – A reminder of our resurrection which is done by the Spirit. Our Body will be raised so we should yield its members to God now. We should live unto Christ now not ignoring the body as Gnostics and even much of evangelicals