The Christian’s Spirit-Filled Life
Romans 8:1-17
Turn to Romans 8. This part of Romans is a tremendous challenge, as I suppose all of Romans is, but I have been battling over some of these particular verses for a while. We will also be cross-referencing other passages this morning to get some help to clarify some of these things that Paul is teaching. And I do not usually do that, yet it seems necessary in this study. But to get started, let’s read:
1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,
4 so 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 are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,
7 because the mind set on the flesh is at enmity toward God, for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,
8 and those who are in the flesh are not able to please God.
9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.
Romans 8:1-9 (LSB)
Now, a key word in this passage is “walk.” Those who do not “walk” according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. What does Paul mean when he uses the word “walk,” specifically in connection with walking in the Spirit? Some translations use the word “live,” those who “live” according to the Spirit. And this word is a general word for how we live, a description of our general way of living, a person’s thoughts and practices. In other words, he does certain things and thinks a certain way because he is governed or guided by certain principles. A person who walks in the Spirit is not as influenced by the general patterns of the world. A term we may hear today to describe this is a person who has a biblical worldview. In other words, one who views life through the lens of the Bible and not through the thinking of the current culture.
Secondly, is the word “flesh.” Here, Paul is referring to the one who does not “walk” according to the “flesh.” And the word “flesh” can mean mankind in general or our actual bodies, but here it is referring to our human desires or the lusts of our flesh. And it is using the term here in a very negative sense. Man’s nature apart from the influence of God or specifically the influence of the Holy Spirit. And it does not necessarily have to mean gross sin as we might think of it, though it may include it. But it would also include our human tendency to be selfish, prideful, and things such as laziness, dishonesty, and jealousy. We could describe this as a person who is outside of Christ, therefore, outside of the influence of the Holy Spirit.
And this could include the worst of man or the best of man; whatever he may do, he does not understand his need of God or the Holy Spirit in his life. Many people truly do great things, and who appear to live upright in many ways. Yet in their flesh, they have no place for God or no need of salvation. So, if we connect the words “walk” and “flesh” together, this is generally how a person lives without a dependence upon the Holy Spirit. In other words, those who walk in the flesh and who walk without the Spirit of God in them. And important to understand this as we interact with unbelievers. That things that may be apparent to us or even obvious to us or attractive for us because we have the Spirit of God and have the enlightenment of God’s Word are not apparent to those in the world. So, it should not surprise us that they do not see things the way we see them.
Finally, is the word “Spirit.” Now the one who walks according to the Spirit is the one who is led and guided by the Holy Spirit of God. And who are those who are walking by the Spirit? Some would divide the Christian into two groups: those Christians who walk by the Spirit, and those Christians who do not. In other words, they would say that there are Christians who are walking after the flesh, and there are Christians who are walking after the Spirit. But that is likely an improper understanding, as this does not seem to be what Paul is saying here. For he is speaking (Rom 8) of those who are no longer under condemnation. And Paul includes these people with the same people who have been set free and who now walk according to the Spirit.
So, there is nothing here in this passage that indicates two types of Christians, or two categories of Christians. In other words, everything he says is included about everyone who is in Christ Jesus. And the assumption by Paul is that every Christian has been justified; that is obvious, and therefore, every Christian is without condemnation. But Paul also speaks about the Christian who is also being sanctified, which also must be true of every Christian, for there is no such thing as a Christian who is only justified. In other words, you cannot merely be a forgiven Christian without the Holy Spirit. No, the Spirit of Christ is in you if you are a Christian.
“However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.”
Romans 8:9 (LSB)
And every person who has the HS is being sanctified, that was back in (Rom 6:22) …
“But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you have your benefit, leading to sanctification, and the end, eternal life.”
Romans 6:22 (LSB)
In other words, if you are freed from sin and enslaved to God, this must be a justified Christian who has received Christ as his Saviour and Lord, and this same believer, in the end, eternal life. But, in the middle, in the interim, for everyone who has been justified at salvation and has eternal life, in the middle there is that word sanctification, and therefore, all Christians are being sanctified. The Apostle John wrote:
“The one who does sin is of the devil, because the devil sins from the beginning. The Son of God was manifested for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. Everyone who has been born of God does not sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. By this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifested: everyone who does not do righteousness is not of God.”
1 John 3:8-10a (LSB)
The one who does sin is the one who continues in sin, or who habitually practices sin. This is his general position or how he walks in life. And notice those words “His seed abides in him.” In other words, when there is sin, it is checked in the heart of the believer, for the Spirit is in him. Therefore, the one who continues in sin is the unbeliever walking in the flesh and not walking in the Spirit, for this is still his general walk of his life. In other words, nothing has changed. And though the true Christian may fall into sin, this does not mean that he is walking after the flesh. In other words, he does not cease to be Christ’s because of a sin, as this is not generally how he walks, as his walk is now in the Spirit. Paul wrote:
“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk in step with the Spirit.”
Galatians 5:5 (LSB)
We see here that those who have the Spirit of God in them may at times sin, as Paul is exhorting them that though they walk in the Spirit, they must be careful to walk in step with the Spirit. Yes, there are times when we do not heed the direction of the Spirit within us. So, Paul tells us to be sure to walk in step with the Spirit. I suppose we could summarize these three words this way: The true Christian’s life has been transformed from a walk according to the flesh to a walk according to the Spirit. And when we think of that statement, we must remember that “walk” is the general way in which we live. And this is more than merely convincing someone to change, for everything that Paul has taught us about our natural fleshly selves is that it cannot change. This change is a work of God in the heart of the individual when he is justified. And this transforming work of God—sanctification—is now a progression; it is not instantaneous. Though it is instantaneous in the change of our spiritual position before God, as we were dead spiritually (unbelievers) and have been made alive spiritually (believers). But the living out of that faith in this life is a sanctifying process. In our church read a few weeks ago, Paul was speaking to the church at Ephesus, where God raised up leaders within the church to equip the saints to build up the body of Christ; he wrote:
“[U]ntil we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the full knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ, so that we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine.”
Ephesians 4:13-14a (LSB)
We see the ongoing work here and the effort and the progression, until we all attain knowledge and maturity. Which brings us back to our original point that there are not two groups of Christians: those who are walking in the Spirit, and those who are walking in the flesh. No, all Christians have the Spirit of God in them if they are truly saved. Therefore, all believers are growing in their walk according to the Spirit. So, it is not this group over here as spiritual Christians and this other group over here as fleshly Christians. No, it is all true believers who are growing in their faith at all various stages of their spiritual growth, as Paul says that we all are to grow until we reach the unity of the faith and become mature in Christ. The warning would be that if someone is not walking in the Spirit, they do not have the assurance that they have ever truly been justified by God. And that sanctification becomes completed when we are finally glorified in eternity, when all remnants of our old body are gone.
Now within this sanctifying process, here is the tougher question and one that we need to get straight in our minds. And that is what is the role of the law in this process? And we can be sort of all over the map on this one. We likely agree that we no longer are required to obey the ceremonial laws such as the sacrifices, and that we are not under the civil laws that Israel as a nation had to follow. But what about the Ten Commandments? Though we do not obey the law of keeping the Sabbath in the strictest sense. So, let’s see what we can learn this morning.
“For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh.”
Romans 8:3 (LSB)
So, we see that the law cannot justify us before God; it can never save us. No amount of law keeping could ever do that, for we will always fall short. But once we become a Christian, are we now going to be under that same law? That is the question. Could we say that the law cannot justify, but that the law can sanctify? In other words, when Paul says (vs 3) that God did what the law could not do, is this in relation to only justification or is it also in relation to sanctification? Are you with me this morning? No amount of law-keeping can save us, for we are saved by grace alone through faith. But are we then to keep the law once we are saved? You who are justified this morning. Those of you who have placed your faith in Jesus Christ. You have received Him as the Saviour and Lord, and the treasure of your life. Your verdict has been changed, your position has changed, as God now says, “No condemnation, you are not guilty, you are accepted, you are received, you are righteous in Christ!” All by grace through faith, amen? Yet, here is a question that John Piper would ask at this point. And I have summarized the question as Piper extends it for a long time. The condensed version of the question is this:
“In order for you to now become the kind of person that God is transforming you into—in other words, your sanctification—since it is God who justifies the ungodly, and now you begin this lifelong process of becoming more and more into the image of Jesus Christ, does God, now that you are justified by faith alone, apart from the law, send you back to the law to get sanctified?”
John Piper
What do you think? And do not feel bad that you may be thinking, “This is hard to know!” Now, if by reading Piper’s statement, you assume that he would answer “no” to this question—no, God does not send us back to the law—you are right, for Piper does not believe that God would send us back to the law. And that would be my understanding; in other words, I agree with Mr. Piper here.
Now, I believe a good question to get started with is why the law at all? I mean, if God gave a law and it only resulted in man sinning against it, which started right from the get-go in the Garden? Why have the law in the first place? Well, Paul tells us the reason. Turn to Romans 5.
20 Now the Law came in so that the transgression would increase [or so that sin might be exposed].
Romans 5:20a (LSB)
That’s an odd answer, isn’t it? Why the ceremonial laws, all the laws around the tabernacle, all the priestly laws? Why all the civil laws in Israel, the land laws, the punishments for certain crimes, laws regarding personal property? Why all the moral laws, the Ten Commandments, prohibitions against adultery, murder, theft, laws against placing anything or anyone above God? Why all those laws? Answer. So that the transgression would increase. If I were asked that question—why all the laws? —I am not sure that would have been my first response. And Paul will bring it up again.
“For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law.”
Romans 7:5a (LSB)
So, the function of the law was to arouse sinful passions, and the function of the law was to increase the transgression. Remember we said a few weeks ago that some would teach that the law is to be used as “some sort of curb against sinning,” but that makes absolutely no sense from Paul’s perspective here. As he teaches that not only cannot the law curb sinning, but it actually increases sinning and arouses sinful passions. As the law does not solve the rebellion of the heart, but as Piper says, it merely provides a new theatre for revolt.
“But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, worked out in me coveting of every kind.”
Romans 7:8a (LSB)
You think that having a law will curb your coveting? Do you think that when your heart wants something, or your mind is set on something, that a law is going to change that heart and mind? Do you think when that five-year-old or fifteen-year-old is disobedient to you, that all you have to do is to put up a list on the refrigerator saying what is right and wrong. No, the list merely condemns their disobedience, but it does not change their heart. This would be like doing marriage counselling with a couple who each have a serious heart problem, and so, you give them each of them a list of what they both need to do so that they will now get along. But we know that this would not get to the heart of the issue. See, the supposed Christian who believes he must turn to the law to become sanctified becomes somewhat like a Pharisee, someone who is religious on the outside but still has a heart problem on the inside.
“Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by working out my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.”
Romans 7:13 (LSB)
This is the value of the law in that it shows sin and it condemns us. It makes it obvious to us that we are sinners. I would not have known coveting, Paul said, if the law had not said, thou shalt not covet. And so, we can see the danger in using the law for a purpose that it was not intended to be used for. For if a person claims to believe in Christ and they then use the law as the basis of their sanctification, they are using the law for something that it was never intended. Look what Paul wrote in Galatians:
“For if the inheritance is by law, it is no longer by promise, but God has granted it to Abraham through promise. Why the Law then? It was added because of trespasses, having been ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.”
Galatians 3:18-19
If the inheritance is by the law, it is no longer by promise. Here is a major argument: is the Christian governed by the law or by the promise, or we could say, is the Christian governed by the law or by grace? And the point here by Paul is not a little bit of both. It is not that we are saved by grace and still use the law as a guide or set of rules or as a curb against sinning. No, Paul doesn’t give us that option here; it is one or the other. They are not inclusive. They are exclusive. If it is by law, he says, it is no longer by grace. And Paul brings up another point here in this passage, that the law was given until the Seed would come. As D. A. Carson said, the law had an interim purpose, until Christ “the Seed” came. So, we see that the law was introduced so that sin would be exposed, and it actually aroused sin, and therefore it condemned mankind. And we might respond to all this, especially if we have never really considered this before and think, “That’s it, that was the whole purpose of the law?” Well, when Paul gave his main reason for the purpose of the law, which was that the transgression would increase (Rom 5:20). He then went on to explain why this was so important. So, go back to:
“Now the Law came in so that the transgression would increase, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.”
Romans 5:20 (LSB)
The truth that the law was given so sin would increase also had a reason that followed: so that grace would abound all the more. And when Paul says grace abounded all the more, he is exalting the fact that though the law (Rom 7:13) showed sin as utterly sinful. God’s amazing grace overcame great sinfulness that was utterly sinful. And was committed by you and me and by all mankind since the creation of the world.
So, where does that leave you and me as Christians? What Paul is going to do (Rom 8) is unite our walk with the Spirit, with our loyalty and service to Christ, that becomes greater than law keeping and will become the source and key of our sanctification. And that is the work of the Spirit in uniting us to our loyalty to Christ. Let me give you this: There is no such thing as a thriving Christian without a daily dependence upon the Holy Spirit.
In (Rom 10) Paul said, “[T]hat if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord [there is the absolute necessity that Jesus is Lord] and believe in your heart [there is the absolute necessity that we have a heart change] that God raised [Christ] from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, leading to righteousness.” Do you see here that the core of our righteousness is not the law? The source here is our faith, for with the heart a person believes, leading to righteousness. And that righteousness is through the work of the Spirit, not the law.
One more passage on this issue. In I Timothy (vs 8) Paul said this, “But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully.” And we might read such a verse and think, what, are we back to the law again, Paul? But Paul immediately goes on to say (vs 9), knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners. Which again clarifies for us the whole purpose of the law, that it is not for a righteous person. For the only righteous are those who have been declared righteous through faith, not by works. But that the law is useful in fulfilling its role in condemning the sin in the lawless. So yes, we agree with Paul that the law is useful if used lawfully, to condemn the sinner. Therefore, I would conclude that we are no longer under the law for either justification or sanctification. But we are under the work of the HS who is transforming us into the person of Jesus Christ, and His work is that we might follow Jesus. So, here is a question we need to answer: What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the Christian, so that the believer’s heart is transformed and Christ is obeyed and worshipped as Lord? Well, let’s look first at:
“[S]o 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.”
Romans 8:4 (LSB)
Heart change and Christ being worshipped as Lord require a walk that is according to the Spirit. In (Eph 2:10), Paul says that we are the workmanship of God. In other words, not only did Christ die to justify us, but the Holy Spirit has actually been assigned to us to fulfill the work of sanctification in us. We literally have been placed under the influence and working of the Holy Spirit. So, to answer the question: what is the role of the Spirit in the Christian’s heart? My first response would be:
- The Holy Spirit has been assigned to fulfill the work of sanctification in the believer.
Look with me at Rom 8:
11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you [i.e. you have been justified, are being sanctified, and have the HS within you … as it is all one package]
12 So then, brothers, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh
[end of 13 … but we are under obligation to live according to the Spirit and if] by the Spirit you are putting to death the practices of the body.
The man who has the Spirit is evidenced by putting to death practices of his old sinful nature. Notice the importance of a heart change and the believer’s desire, which is only possible through the work of the Spirit, as the Holy Spirit has been assigned to fulfill the work of sanctification in the believer. Now turn back to:
“But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were constrained, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.”
Romans 7:6 (LSB)
See the unity between Christ as Lord and we as believers, which has been made possible by the work of the indwelling Spirit, also enables us to bear fruit, as there is this newfound joy in the heart of the believer. This is what the Apostle John is speaking of when he says that the commandments of God are not burdensome to him. This is the joy in serving Christ. In other words, obedience to Christ now becomes more desirable than anything else in the world. So, statement #2, to answer the question: what is the role of the Spirit in the Christian’s heart?
- The Holy Spirit enables the believer to bear fruit as he or she joyfully obeys
Piper said that there’s a new footing here, a new way to pursue righteousness, and it isn’t list keeping or law keeping. It’s bearing fruit, because you now belong to Jesus Christ. He is your Lord and your service to Him is a blessing. It is not burdensome. And though we are no longer under the law, the Old Testament Law, we now joyfully obey all that Christ taught us and those things which He taught to the church through men such as Paul, Peter, and John. Not commands that kill and condemn, but commands that are a result of the new life in the Spirit, and that produce fruit. And this goes way beyond the law. This is the new believer doing in every situation what he should. These are acts of kindness, forgiveness, forbearance, humility, patience, goodness, gentleness, self-control, that never were and never could be governed by a law. Brothers and sisters, the Christian has been placed on higher ground as the Holy Spirit enables the believer to bear fruit through joyful obedience to Christ. So, let’s go back to (Rom 8), and I promise we will stay there for the conclusion:
14 For as many as are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. [intimacy here]
15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again [referring back to the fear of being under the law which the Christian has been released from and that condemns], but you have received the Spirit of adoption [chosen by God] as sons by whom we cry out, “Abba! Father!”
16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,
- and if children, also heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.
First, I want you to notice that phrase (vs 15) “spirit of slavery.” This is the condition of every person whether they realize it or not, as all are under the curse of the law, because of the bondage of sin. But I also want you to notice the five phrases used in these remaining verses which we will consider further next week: (vs 14) sons of God; (vs 15) Spirit of adoption; (vs 15) we cry out “Abba Father”; (vs 16) we are children of God; and (vs 17) heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ. This is the intimacy of the relationship we now have with God through Christ. An intimacy that is growing through the work of the Spirit. So, let me give you this final statement:
- The Holy Spirit draws the believer into an intimate relationship with Christ, further revealing the Christian’s adoption, sonship, and heirship—hence the affectionate term “Abba Father.”
I had mentioned a few weeks ago that an ideal relationship with a father or parent is not a list of rules or laws that the child obeys. No, the ideal relationship that goes way beyond that is the joy of that child to desire to become or to model the character of that parent. I can honestly say that it is still my desire as an earthly son to become what my earthly Dad was. And this is not wrong, as Paul himself said (1 Cor 11:1) “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” I had said about putting a list of laws on the refrigerator, and sometimes human analogies involving God always fall short because of our own sinfulness and weaknesses. But ultimately that son or daughter wishes to be like that parent, as the character of that parent goes way beyond the list. And we also said the character of Christ goes way beyond the law, and therefore, the goal of every true son or daughter “in Christ” is to desire to become like their model, Jesus Christ. And not fulfilled in a goal-driven way, but fulfilled in an intimate, affectionate, loving way, with the desire to have the character of Christ. This is what Paul meant when he said, “until the see would come.” As we now had the character of God lived out before us. Is this not what we desire as Christians, folks, to be like Jesus, amen?
Well, Christ has fulfilled the law on our behalf, and He has now set us free, released from the law. As Paul said, having died to the law and now free to live for Christ. And it is the work of the Spirit to draw us into a more intimate relationship with Him. And what drives that desire is not a “spirit of slavery,” for it is not a commandment that is burdensome. No, what drives us is a desire to be like Christ and to have a passionate love for Him. Let’s pray.
I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
I want to scale the utmost height,
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till Heav’n I’ve found,
Lord, lead me on to higher ground.
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s table land;
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
Father, may that be our heart this morning as Your children. And all God’s people said, amen.