I.        INTRODUCTION

A.      In chapter 7, we saw that Christians are dead to the Law of Moses.

                                                             1.      Christians (Jews in particular) were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ.

                                                             2.      This was in order for them to become free to be joined to Christ.

B.      In chapter 8, we see that Christians are made free and alive through the law of the Spirit.

                                                             1.      Sin bound men in death, and the Law of Moses could not set anyone free from this bondage.

                                                             2.      However, God has now provided freedom from sin and life to Him through Jesus Christ and the law of the Holy Spirit.  This is the subject of our present lesson.

II.      FREE AND ALIVE IN THE SPIRIT

A.      The answer to the sinner’s plea in Romans 7:24 is Christ Jesus and the law of the Spirit (Rom. 8:1-2).

                                                             1.      There are actually three different laws under consideration in this section of Romans:

a.       The law of the Spirit in Christ Jesus – This is the gospel (Rom. 1:16).

b.       The law of sin and of death – This is the law that every soul who sins must die (Rom. 6:23a; Ezek. 18:20).

c.        The Law of Moses – This is the law of ordinances given to the nation of Israel.

                                                             2.      While all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23), there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus and under the law of the Spirit of life in Him.

a.       The previous context of chapter 7 described firsthand the failure of one who was under the Law of Moses to escape from sin and death (Rom. 7:14-24).

b.       Now through Christ and the law of the Spirit, sinners can be made exempt from the law of sin and death.  They are pardoned from the penalty that is due for their sins.

B.      Christ’s spiritual law makes us free from the law of sin and death, whereas the flesh cannot (Rom. 8:3-11).

                                                             1.      In this section of the chapter, Paul explained how the law of the Spirit of life in Christ is applied.

a.       The essence of this is that we must be spiritually minded and guided by the Spirit.

b.       For us, this is simply a matter of faithfully obeying the words of the Spirit, which we have written in the Scriptures.  See 1Corinthians 2:6-16.

                                                             2.      In Christ, God did what the Law of Moses could not do, which was to make sinners free from the law of sin and death (vv. 3-4).

a.       The Law of Moses was weak because it was dependent on the flesh.

b.       However, the law of the Spirit is not dependent on flesh.  The flesh does not have to be perfect in order for the law of the Spirit to be effective.

                                                             3.      Notice the contrasts that are presented between those who are according to the Spirit and those who are according to the flesh (vv. 5-11).

a.       Those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh.  They walk according to the flesh.  They are hostile toward God, incapable of subjecting to God, and incapable of pleasing God.  For this reason, “the mind set on the flesh is death.”

b.       However, those who are according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit and walk according to the Spirit.  It is implied that they submit themselves to God and thereby please God.  Because of this, “the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.”

                                                             4.      It is important to recognize that each of these two paths begins with the thoughts of the mind.

a.       The importance of engaging our minds on spiritual things is emphasized again in Romans 12:1-2, for the course that we will walk must begin with the decision to walk in it.

b.       This decision is the freewill choice of the individual.  It is important to understand this, for Calvinists abuse this passage, twisting it to teach their doctrine of “total depravity.”

C.      Therefore, it is a Christian’s obligation to live by the Spirit and not by the flesh (Rom. 8:12-14).

                                                             1.      If anyone is living by the flesh, then he is still bound by the law of sin and of death (vv. 12-13a).

a.       The law of sin and of death that is mentioned in verse 2 is evident in the phrases “the body is dead because of sin” (v. 10) and “if you are living according to the flesh you must die” (v. 13).  The flesh and the body in this context are associated with sin.

b.       Paul has demonstrated that a sinner cannot escape death as long as he lives by the flesh.

                                                             2.      However, those who are led by the Spirit will live because they are counted as sons of God (vv. 13b-14).

a.       To be led by the Spirit of God is to live by the law of the Spirit (vv. 1, 14).

b.       The concept of being “sons of God” introduces us to the next section of the chapter.

III.   SONS OF GOD SUSTAINED THROUGH ALL TRIALS

A.      Under the law of the Spirit, we have a new relationship with God as His children (Rom. 8:15-17).

                                                             1.      The relationship of a Christian with God is not like that of a slave but rather like that of a child.  The Christian’s affectionate appeal of “Abba” indicates the nature of the relationship.

                                                             2.      Those who are led by the Spirit by following the law of the Spirit are witnessed by the Spirit as children of God.  These means that the Spirit recognizes them and validates them.

                                                             3.      If we are children of God, then we are heirs also.  Therefore, we are assured of glory.

B.      Because we are heirs of God, we can abide through sufferings in the hope of glory (Rom. 8:18-30).

                                                             1.      In this section, Paul comments on our future glorification and our enduring hope for it (v. 18).

a.       Notice this theme in verses 17, 18, 21, 23 and 30.

b.       Our hope for glory is what enables us to overcome the sufferings of this world.

                                                             2.      The world is described as yearning with us for our glorification (vv. 19-22).

a.       God’s creation is personified for effect and is described as longing and suffering.

b.       The world has suffered the effects of sin along with us.  The earth and all its creatures are not as they were when God created them.  Man’s sin changed them all.

                                                             3.      Along with the world, we wait and hope for the fulfillment of our glorification (vv. 23-25).

a.       We are assured of this glorification because God gave His Spirit as the “first fruits.”  This is His proof and guarantee of more to come.  See also Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30.

b.       Paul reminds us that we have been saved, but we have not yet experienced the glorification for which we hope.

                                                             4.      Just as hope helps us through our trials, so also the Spirit helps to sustain us by interceding in our prayers (vv. 26-27).  The Spirit communicates for us, so we know that God hears and understands.

                                                             5.      Ultimately, we are assured that God’s purpose will be served, and everything will work for good according to God’s plan (vv. 28-30).

a.       This sequence of steps began with God’s purpose (His foreknowledge) and will end with the glorification of those who are in Christ.

b.       Let us remember that this is written to give comfort and strength to Christians who are enduring sufferings (v. 18).  It describes a process that gives us hope:

i.         Foreknowledge – God knew that He would save a group of people.

ii.        Predestination – He predestined that those people would be like His Son.

iii.      Calling – He called individuals to this group through the gospel (2Thess. 2:14).

iv.      Justification – He justified His people by faith (Rom. 5:1).

v.       Glorification – He will certainly glorify His people.  This is written as if it has already happened, but it has not (vv. 17-19, 21, 24-25).

C.      Because God is for us, our triumph over trials is assured, for we are more than conquerors through Christ (Rom. 8:31-39).

                                                             1.      The logic of this simple: God is greater than all, and He is on our side.  Therefore, we cannot fail as long as we are with Him (v. 31).

                                                             2.      The confidence of a Christian must be inspired by verse 32: “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”

a.       The gift of God’s Son was the ultimate sacrifice.  Nothing could be of greater value.

b.       If He has already given us His most valuable gift, then we must know that He will certainly give us all else that He has promised.

                                                             3.      Finally, we must know that we will overwhelmingly conquer everything that this world presents to separate us from God’s love and oppose our faithful service to Him (vv. 33-39).

a.       In verse 37, the phrase “overwhelmingly conquer” (NASB) or “more than conquerors” (KJV) comes from a single Greek word hupernikao, which means “over-conquer.”

b.       This means that we will utterly dominate our opponents through Christ.

IV.    CONCLUSION

A.      Paul’s writings show us that through Christ Jesus by the law of the Spirit, we have a wonderful hope and assurance of future glory with Christ that inspires us to overcome all of life’s obstacles.

B.      In the next three chapters of Romans, Paul turned his attention to the nation of Israel and their rejection of God’s plan for them.  This will be the focus of our next lessons.