A Journey with The Book of Romans
Romans 8:1 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.
Part 3: The Renewal – “Sanctified by the Spirit”
INTRODUCTION
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I. WHAT IS SANCTIFICATION?
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People often think sanctification means an instant transformation like a spiritual microwave: pop in faith, wait 30 seconds, and ding! You’re holy. But here’s the truth: Sanctification is not instant; it’s a slow-cooked process.
Sanctification is the lifelong, progressive work of God and the believer to become holy and more like Jesus Christ
Three Phases of Sanctification
- Positional (Past): Set apart as holy in Christ the moment you believe.
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- John 17:17: “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”
- Progressive (Present): A lifelong daily growth in moral purity and obedience.
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- 1 Thessalonians 5:23: “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely…”
- Ultimate (Future): Complete perfection and glorification when Christ returns.
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Key Steps in the Process
- Renewing the Mind: Replacing old thoughts with biblical truth.
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- Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…”
- Putting Off Sin: Turning away from evil desires and worldly habits.
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- 1 Thessalonians 4:3: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification…”
- Putting On the New Self: Walking in obedience led by the Holy Spirit.
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- Philippians 2:13: “…for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
II. THE CONFLICT: THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN FLESH AND SPIRIT
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Romans 7:21–25 (NKJV):
21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good.
22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
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.
BIBLICAL EXAMPLES:
Let’s look at some people in Scripture who show us that the struggle is real not just in the extreme, but in relatable moments that speak to our real lives today.
A. Jonah (Jonah 1–4)
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Conflict: Spirit said go to Nineveh; flesh said run away.
Lesson: God’s will is often uncomfortable, but disobedience never leads to peace.
Application: Think of a time God told you to go one way but you decided to go another.
B. Eve (Genesis 3)
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Conflict: Spirit-led command from God vs. flesh-driven curiosity and temptation from the serpent.
Lesson: Flesh often looks good but leads to separation when unchecked.
Application: Think of the times where God told you not to go near, but your curiosity took over.
C. Peter (Luke 22:54–62; Galatians 2:11–14)
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Conflict: Denied Jesus out of fear (flesh), later withdrew from Gentiles out of peer pressure.
Lesson: Our spiritual convictions can get clouded by fear, but restoration is always possible.
D. Martha (Luke 10:38–42)
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Conflict: Chose busyness (flesh) over presence (Spirit) while serving Jesus.
Lesson: Good things become distractions when we prioritize them over intimacy with God.
E. Our Life Relationships (Ephesians 4:25-32)
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Conflict: Choose pride (flesh) over humility (Spirit) while communicating with one another.
Lesson: Relationships cannot be resolved when we rip them apart with our rebellion.
III. THE COMFORT: NO CONDEMNATION IN CHRIST JESUS
Romans 8:1–2 (NKJV):
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.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
After the confession in Romans 7, Paul offers comfort: You may struggle, but you’re not condemned.
No condemnation means God doesn’t hold your failures over your head.
Condemnation is the expression of very strong disapproval, a legal judgment or penalty . it is not from God but the devil.
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You’re not working for acceptance; you’re working from it. Grace is the environment where forgiveness, growth, and freedom from guilt happens.
The Holy Spirit is the primary agent of progressive sanctification, empowering believers to overcome sin and conform to the image of Jesus. While justification is a one-time legal declaration, the Holy Spirit works continuously within a believer’s life to produce real moral and spiritual transformation.
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Here is how the Holy Spirit executes this process, backed by Scripture:
1. Convicting of Sin
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The Spirit exposes areas of disobedience, leading believers to repentance rather than shame.
- John 16:8: “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.”
2. Renewing and Regenerating the Heart
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Sanctification begins with a spiritual rebirth, where the Holy Spirit changes a person’s core desires from loving sin to loving God.
- Titus 3:5: “…he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.”
3. Empowering Victory Over Sin
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Believers cannot defeat sinful habits through raw willpower. The Holy Spirit provides the supernatural strength required to put old sins to death.
- Romans 8:13: “For 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.”
- Galatians 5:16: “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
4. Producing Christlike Character
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As a believer yields to the Spirit, their internal character changes. This transformation is outwardly manifested as spiritual fruit.
- Galatians 5:22–23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”
5. Revealing and Teaching Truth
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The Spirit illuminates God’s Word, giving believers the wisdom to understand Scripture and the conviction to apply it to their lives.
- John 14:26: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
6. Transforming Believers into Christ’s Image
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The ultimate goal of the Spirit’s work is a gradual, glory-to-glory transformation that makes the believer look more like Jesus Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 3:18: “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
IV. THE CALLING: LIVING AS SPIRIT-LED CHILDREN OF GOD
Romans 8:14–17 (NKJV):
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God.
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.”
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
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.
You are not a slave to sin; you are a child of God. And not just a child, but an heir, so you have spiritual rights and access.
Sanctification isn’t just about behavioral change; it’s about identity transformation.
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Main Takeaway: You are not fighting for victory you’re walking in inheritance. You’re not just Spirit-rescued. You are Spirit-led.
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YOUR PERSONAL TO-DO LIST:
Journal about areas of personal struggle and surrender them to God.
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Walk daily in the assurance that there is no condemnation in Christ.
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Invite the Holy Spirit to lead your thoughts, actions, and decisions.
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Practice setting your mind on the things of the Spirit each day.
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