Description

Romans 8:1-11

Senior Pastor Alex Kennedy

In response to what Paul had just previously written (Rom 7:24-25), he writes "there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Condemnation is a legal term that references a sentencing. Often we feel like we are one failure away from being out of God's favor, like we are on probation. Paul is saying that the "case is closed" forever, so we do not fear judgement!

Verse one tells us we are delivered from the legal condemnation of sin, and verse two shows us that we are being delivered from the actual power of sin. In this case, to be freed from the law of sin and death through Christ means no longer being "under" the law for justification or sanctification.

Verse 3 shows us how He did it:

1. God sent His Son
2. in the likeness of sinful flesh (the incarnation)-His humanity was both real and sinless at the same time
3. for sin (the atonement)
4. He condemned sin in the flesh - God judged our sins in the sinless humanity of His Son, who bore them in our place.
5. to sanctify us according to His Spirit - the flesh renders the law powerless, and the Spirit empowers us to obey it.

This sanctification is not perfectionism; it is saying that obedience is a necessary and possible aspect of Christian discipleship. Although the law cannot bring this obedience...the Spirit can.

The law of sin and death is real, but the law of the Spirit of life is stronger. We don't overcome sin by effort alone, but by a new power at work within us.

How do we walk according to the Spirit? Verse 5 shows that this starts with our mind. Whatever we set our minds on shapes our lifestyle and character.

Set your mind:

-to focus intently on something

-to be preoccupied with something

-to have the attention and the imagination totally captured by something

Overcoming sin in our lives begins with what we tune our minds to...this means that we never forget our privileged standing or the fact that we are loved, and to let this dominate our thinking, our perspectives, and therefore our words and actions.

The reality today is that we spend a lot more time on social media than we do on the things of the Spirit...

"What we scroll shapes our soul."

Whatever preoccupies our mind controls our life. Our mindset has consequences. (Gal 6:8)

Verse 7 shows us the mindset of the flesh:

-Is hostile to God

-It does not submit to God's law

-In fact, it cannot

Thankfully, in the Spirit, God promises spiritual resurrection now and physical resurrection in the future! May we focus our attention and our lives to live in the freedom of what He has done for us.

Questions to Consider:

1. Where do you find yourself exhausted in trying to beat sin in your own strength? Do you have a phrase of condemnation that plays over and over in your mind? Ask the Spirit to help you let that go.
2. "What we scroll shapes our soul." What content gets the longest stare in your life? How does that impact your mind? How could this week look different?
3. Do you have a friend or family member that you have "forgiven" but still keep an account of wrongdoing? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you live like the Father and let that go.
4. What is one small way your family could set your minds on the Spirit this week?

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