March 8, 2022

Romans 8:1-11 (HCSB)
The Life-Giving Spirit
8 Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus, 2 because the Spirit’s law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 What the law could not do since it was limited by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own Son in flesh like ours under sin’s domain, and as a sin offering, 4 in order that the law’s requirement would be accomplished in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to God’s law, for it is unable to do so. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through His Spirit who lives in you.

Wes Wynne
 Chapter 8 discusses life through the Spirit. Paul opens this chapter by saying there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. We looked yesterday at our “I” or flesh nature and its ability to lead us astray. Chapter 8 continues along this same line of thought but begins by expanding on God’s saving grace. I find it easy to beat myself up when I do things that I know I shouldn’t. Paul’s words in this first section are a reinforcement not to live life fast and loose, but that when (not if) I sin I still know that God loves me and wants me. The words “no condemnation” means none, zero, zip, zilch. What a relief that no charges can be brought against us who are in Christ. What a relief, Christ’s work on the cross covers our sin! His actions give us an eternal salvation, one that we do not have to question. Will we mess up? Yes. Will God disown you because of your mistakes? No. Remember, you belong to Christ and His life-giving Spirit resides in you forever.

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