Romans 8:5-13

First, grace says, no condemnation.  Then grace says, walk in the Spirit.

* The two types of existence, 8:5.

We can live according to the flesh.  If we do this we will set our mind on those things, things that strengthen the flesh.  Those “things” might include positive thinking, good self-esteem, self-help schemes, get-rich schemes, and so on.  These things are things of the flesh because they are available to everyone, believers and nonbelievers alike.  They do not require a relationship with the Creator.  They represent the best that is available for living a satisfying life without Christ.

Or we can live according to the Spirit.  We do this by setting our minds on the things of the Spirit.  In a broad sense all of Scripture comprises the things of the Spirit.  More specifically, Romans 8:14-39 will tell us of spiritual things that enable us to live the righteous life God desires.  In the process we will come to have godly thoughts, with a proper view of ourselves (including our weaknesses) and will not leave us to the failure of only finding help in ourselves.

* The problems of a mind controlled by the flesh, 8:6-8.  If we choose to live by the flesh we encounter four problems.  The fleshly mind …

1)     … is hostile to God (v7a).  This is the mindset we had before Christ and we saw in Rom. 1-3 that it hated God (Col. 1:21; Jas. 4:4).

2)     … does not submit to God’s law (v7b).  When left to our own devices, we will choose sin.  As we have seen, God’s law will arouse the flesh and the result will be greater sin.

3)     … cannot submit to God’s law (v7c).  It is powerless, incapable of the obedience required by the law.

4)     … cannot please God (v8).  Since it does not obey god’s law, God is not pleased.

This was Martin Luther’s experience.  For years he sought obedience to God’s law in the flesh, doing the best he could.  But he could not stop sinning.  He needed to hear “no condemnation” and then he needed to walk according to the Spirit.

*The possibility of a mind controlled by the Spirit, 8:9-11.

To be spiritually minded is life and peace (v6b).  And this is possible for those believers Paul is addressing.  If they are believers, belonging to Christ, they no longer are in the flesh but are in the Spirit.  No longer must they be subject to sin that dwells in them (7:17,20).  God’s Spirit now dwells in them.  It is the Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead.  If He did this, and we are united with Christ, then God will also give us life in our weak bodies by the same Holy Spirit.

* The two choices: life and death, 8:12-13.

1)     If we continue to live in the flesh it is a clear indication we are not in Christ.  All who are outside of Christ will die.  Theirs is a living death now, and will result in eternal death, forever separated from God.

2)     If we live in the Spirit we put to death the deeds of the body and thus we live.  We experience eternal life now and forever.  Note: we are obligated, not to the flesh (v12) but to Christ who took our sin and guilt on Himself.

How are you choosing to live: in the flesh or in the Spirit?