A Better You on Purpose
Chapter Study 1
Romans 8
LIFE THROUGH THE SPIRIT
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering And so he condemned sin in the flesh,4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
Explanation – Romans 8
Living According to the Spirit Leads to a New Quality of Life
Verse 1–8: CONDEMNATION – Although every sinner deserves condemnation for his sin, there is ‘therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus’. The evidence of being in Christ is a new walk according to the Spirit, which also produces liberty and freedom from the law. This means that spiritual-mindedness replaces a carnal following of ‘the things of the flesh’. Such a carnal mindset reveals enmity with God, whereas a spiritually renewed mind shows reconciliation with and justification by God. Without this mindset we cannot please God.
Romans 8:5
For those who live according to the flesh, set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit
But the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual 1 Cor 15:46. We must set our minds in the order of the creation. We have become caught up with the things of the world that we forget or have not realized that God is head, God is Spirit and God is Love. The flesh wants to be emotional and display anger, resentment, and discontentment. When we look for excellence in our marriage, it must begin with letting go of what the flesh (natural) expects and focus on what God expects (spiritual.)
As we learn how to focus on the things of the spirit it will cause a purging of things from long ago. The word reminds us, “Philippians 3:13-14 13 [Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Life is full of joys and disappointments. To concentrate on the joys and leave the upsets behind must be the center of our attention. The disappointments will hold you back, subconsciously. Forgiveness must take place to avoid bitterness. Bitterness causes sickness and disease, heartache and continued disappointments.
Life’s challenges present growth and a continued walk with the Lord. We cannot choose our battle but we can choose how we react and respond. In times of trials – Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
