Apr. 30, 2023

“DOING THE RIGHT THING”

“THE DECLARATION OF FREEDOM- PART 1” 

ROMANS 8:1-17

In Romans 8 we find the Christian’s “Declaration of Freedom,” for in it Paul declares four spiritual freedoms we can enjoy because of our union with Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

A life that is pleasing to God must be lived in the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul tell’s us as believers:

Ephesians 5:18 “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.”

Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, delivering the believer from the power of sin, even in the very presence of sin, and performing all God’s will in the life of the believer.

Romans 7:18 “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.”

So now we come to the good news Paul has for us, the Declaration of Freedom:

1.  Freedom From Judgment- No Condemnation- Romans 8:1-4

So Paul in his struggle with the flesh cried out, “Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Rom. 7:24) The question on his mind was his present struggle. The answer came in Romans 7:25 “I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.” 

“Now”

Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

“There is therefore now no condemnation….”

Let me point out three crucial truths:

*We Are Eternally Secure- “now” as well as when we face judgment, God has officially declared our justification, and He never rescinds His word.

*We Are Internally Free From the Control of Sin

Romans 8:2 “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”

The Law no longer has jurisdiction over you, you are dead to the Law, and free from the Law. The Spirit of life has set us free.

*We Are Positionally Righteous

Romans 8:3-4 “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

The Law cannot control you- the believer lives a righteous life, not in the power of the Law, but in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Philippians 2:13 “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

2.   Freedom From Defeat- No Obligation- Romans 8:5-17

“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.” vs.12 There is no obligation to the old nature. The believer can live in victory. In these verses Paul describes life on three different levels, and he wants us to live on the highest level:

• “You Have Not the Spirit” Romans 8:5-8

Paul is not describing two kinds of Christians, one carnal and one spiritual. He is contrasting the saved and the unsaved:

# In the Flesh- In the Spirit

Romans 8:5 “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.”

Colossians 1:21 “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled.”

# Death- Life

Romans 8:6 “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

# War With God- Peace With God

Romans 8:6-7 “…but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.”

We have seen that our old nature rebels against God and will not submit to God’s Law. Those who have trusted Christ enjoy “peace with God,” while the unsaved are at war with God.

Isaiah 48:22 “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”

# Pleasing Self- Pleasing God

Romans 8:8 “So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

To be “in the flesh” means to be lost, outside Christ.

• “You Have the Spirit”- Romans 8:9-11

Romans 8:9 “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.”

The evidence of conversion is the presence of the Holy Spirit within, witnessing that you are a child of God.

Romans 8:16 “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

Your body becomes the very temple of the Holy Spirit.

1Corinthians 6:19-20

Ephesians 1:13-14

• “The Spirit Has You”- Romans 8:12-17

It is not enough for us to have the Spirit; the Spirit must have us!

Ephesians 2:8-10

Romans 8:12-13 “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

*Benefits of Living in the Spirit- Romans 8:14-17

#Practical everyday leading from God

Romans 8:14 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”

The Spirit does lead, but the believer may elect to go their own way, thus “grieving” God.

Ephesians 4:30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

#Fearless Intimacy With God

Romans 8:15 “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

# Assurance of Belonging to God

Romans 8:16 “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”

If the Holy Spirit speaks into the souls of His beloved children, it’s only to say this; You are My precious children.

# A Continual Reminder of Our Value Before God

Romans 8:17 “And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

The Spirit of life will empower us. The Spirit of death will enable you to overcome the flesh, and the Spirit of adoption will enrich you and lead you into the will of God.