The Bible is full of incredible and life-changing texts. Romans 8 is one of these special passages. This passage talks about what it means to live in the Spirit. Rather than according to worldly standards or as we say “in the flesh”. In this blog post, we'll break this passage down and look for what it means to live according to God's Spirit.
Romans 8 - Happiness of the state of grace
"Therefore, in those who are in Christ Jesus [and do not walk according to the flesh], there is nothing more worthy of condemnation. For the law of the Spirit, which gives life in Christ Jesus, has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was not able to do, because it was too weak due to the flesh, God has accomplished. He sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for the sake of sin and condemned sin in His flesh. Thus the precept of the law was to be fulfilled in us, who no longer walk according to the flesh, but according to the spirit. Those who walk according to the flesh are thinking of what the flesh wants. Those who live according to the spirit think about what the spirit wants.
The mind of the flesh leads to death, the mind of the spirit leads to life and peace. The mind of the flesh is hostile to God, it does not submit to the law of God and is not able to do so. Those who live according to the flesh cannot please God. You, however, do not live according to the flesh, but according to the spirit, if the spirit of God really dwells in you." (Romans 8, 1-9)
In those who, through the grace of justification, have entered into the most intimate communion of life with Jesus Christ, there is no longer anything sinful or worthy of punishment. They are free from the power of sin and death. Only the death on the cross of the Son of God was able to bring this about. Of course, they must cooperate with the grace of redemption. Resist the desires of the flesh, and follow the train of the spirit enlightened and strengthened by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8 10 - Justification by Christ
"Of course, if one does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. But if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit lives because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also raise your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who dwells in you." (Romans 8:10)
As a result of original sin, the body is subject to death. But the spirit carries within it the supernatural life of grace. And thus the seed of the life of eternal glory. As a result of the justification obtained by Christ.
Romans 8 12:17 - Filiation of God
"Therefore, brethren, we are no longer bound to the flesh to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die. But if by the Spirit you kill the urges of the flesh, you will live. All who are led by the Spirit are children of God. Indeed, you have not received the Spirit of bondage to live anew in fear, but you have received the Spirit of sonship in which we cry, "Abba, Father!" This very Spirit testifies to our spirit that we are children of God. But if we are children, we are also heirs: heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. Only we have to suffer with him in order to be glorified with him."
Since believers are freed from sin and condemnation by the grace of the Holy Spirit, it is their duty to be guided by the Spirit of God. And thus prove themselves to be children of God who serve God not with servile fear but with filial love. Then, as children of God, they also have a right to the divine inheritance, i.e. eternal bliss.
Romans 8 18:27 - The heavenly Glory and the Holy Spirit
"I am of the opinion: the sufferings of this time cannot be compared with the future glory that is to be revealed in us. For the waiting of creation is awaiting the revelation of the children of God. The creation was subjected to impermanence, not by its own will, but by the one who subjected it. But the creation is left with the hope that it will be freed from the bondage of impermanence and participate in the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that there is groaning throughout the whole creation; it is in travail until the hour.
But not only they, also we, who already possess the first fruits of the Spirit, groan within ourselves and wait for the sonship of God and the redemption of our body. We are saved, but we are still hoping. The hope that we see fulfilled is no longer hope. For how can one still hope for what is visibly before one? If we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait in patience. In the same way, the Spirit also stands by us in our weakness. We do not know what true prayer is. The Spirit intercedes for us with groaning pleas that cannot be put into words. But he who searches the hearts knows what the Spirit desires because he intercedes for the saints in the will of God."
How great the heavenly glory will be and how certain it will come to pass is shown by the fact that even the senseless nature longingly awaits it. In order to be freed from the curse of sin and to share in the glory of the children of God. But not only the senseless creature alone, but also the children of God long for liberation from the consequences of sins. And for the transfiguration of the human body. Moreover, the Holy Spirit himself awakens in them inexpressible homesickness for heaven and heavenly goods.
Romans 8 28 - all is for good for those who love God
"We know that everything is for the good of those who love God. After all, they are called according to His counsel [to be saints]. For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son. He was to be the firstborn among many brethren. But those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he calls he justifies, and those whom he justifies he also brings to glory."
The most certain guarantee of our eternal salvation, however, is the counsel of God. Who will complete the work of salvation he has begun.
Romans 8 31:39 - Praise to the grace of God
"What shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? If he did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all: how shall he not with him give us all things? Who shall bring an accusation against the elect of God? It is God who declares them righteous. Who shall condemn them? Christ Jesus is there. He died, even more, he rose from the dead and intercedes for us at the right hand of God. Who is able to separate us from the love of Christ? Is it tribulation or distress or persecution or hunger or nakedness or danger or sword? For it is written:
For your sake, we are daily slain, we are made like sheep for sacrifice.
But in all this, we remain victorious in Him who loved us. I am convinced: neither death nor life, neither angels nor dominions [nor acts of violence], neither things present nor things to come, neither powers, neither things high nor things low, nor anything else created, can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
The apostle concludes his doctrine of redemption and justification in Christ with praise of God's grace. If God is not to have sacrificed his Son in vain, he must also give us everything that is for salvation. If Jesus Christ is our advocate at the right hand of God, no one will condemn us. But if God the Father and Jesus Christ are on our side, no one and nothing in the world can rob us of the love that God has for us for the sake of His Son.
God bless you.