Brief Summary:
The Holy Spirit has delivered us from the control of the sinful
nature with its evil desires which ultimately lead to death.
Instead we are controlled by the indwelling Holy Spirit and have an obligation and desire to do those things that are pleasing to God, things which lead to life and peace.
(Romans 8:5-17)
Detailed Summary:
Having
characterized those in Christ as those who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit
(Romans 8:4), Paul now elaborates on
the contrast between our old life in the flesh,
and our new life in the Spirit.
In the Spirit we
have a new mindset - instead of going our own way and only pleasing
ourselves, we now have our minds set on doing what God wants.
Romans 8:5 - Those who live
according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that
nature desires;
but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set
on what the Spirit desires.
In the Spirit,
our life leads to a new
outcome. Instead of sin resulting in
condemnation and death, the Spirit gives life and peace with God.
Romans 8:
6 -
The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind
controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;
In the Spirit we
are controlled by a new
power. When our minds were controlled by
the sinful nature, we hostile to God, disobedient to God, and therefore unable
to please Him. Now that we belong to Christ we are controlled by the indwelling
Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:
7-9 -
The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it
do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You,
however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the
Spirit,
if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of
Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
In the Spirit, we
have a new hope - the future resurrection of our physical bodies. Our
current physical body is subject to death because of the effects of sin. But
our new body will be immortal.
Romans
In the Spirit we
have a new obligation. Where we used to live according to the dictates of
the sinful nature leading to death, we are now empowered by the indwelling
Spirit to put to death the misdeeds of the body.
Romans
In the Spirit we
have a new relationship with God. Where we were once slaves to fear, we are
now sons - children of God. As a result:
We can cry out to God with affection: Abba, Father
The Spirit gives us internal assurance that we belong
to God
We are assured of sharing in Christs inheritance
Romans