Romans 8 “Living Free”

Gospel Light Church  |  Romans 8  –  Living Free”  |  May 4th, 2024

LIVING FREE

Romans 8:1-39 ESV

• It is one thing to be set free and it’s another thing to “LIVE FREE”. 

• If we are saved and in Christ, we have not only been set free from the law, sin and the struggle but we also have NO CONDEMNATION. 

What is condemnation?

• A guilty verdict or punishment

The Grace greater than our sin! (vs. 1)

• • We deserve condemnation. We deserve punishment. 
  • Romans 5:20 –  Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
  • The chapter begins with NO CONDEMNATION and ends with NO SPARATION and in between we find NO DEFEAT! 
  • When we are in Christ, we have the same standing that Jesus has…..Jesus has no condemnation and therefore we have “no condemnation”! 
  • This is all part of the FREE gift of salvation given to us by the Father through his son Jesus Christ! 

• We are FREE from the guilt of sin.

The Spirit greater than our flesh.  (vs. 2-11)

       “Observe carefully that the flesh is there: he does not walk after it, but it is there. It is there, striving and warring, vexing, and grieving, and it will be there till he is taken up to heaven. It is there as an alien and detested force, and not there so as to have dominion over him. He does not walk after it, nor practically obey it. He does not accept it as his guide, nor allow it to drive him into rebellion.” 

• C.H. Spurgeon 

• • The law couldn’t defeat sin, it could only detect sin.
  • The Spirit is mentioned 2 times before this chapter and 20 times in this chapter! 
  • The law of the Spirit is more like principles to guide than laws to govern. 
  • We could not meet the righteous requirement of the law but Jesus did! 
  • Living by the Spirit – spiritual mindset. Produces life and peace. Pleases God.
  • Living by the flesh – sinful mindset. Produces death. Cannot please God. 
  • The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is LIFE to the believer. 
  • There should be irrefutable evidence of change in your life by the Holy Spirit! 
  • You can live in your fleshly body but be filled with the SPIRIT! 
  • If your relationship/religion doesn’t change you, then you need to change your relationship/religion! 

• We are FREE from the power of sin. 

The Father greater than our own – vs. 12-17 

• Jesus is a gift from the Father. 

• The Holy Spirit is a gift from the Father.

• Sonship is given by the Father.

• This Sonship or Spirit of Adoption is a gracious gift that engrafts us into the family of God.

• The spirit of slavery (bondage) …. your inheritance of the flesh. What did your earthly father give you…. (spiritually)?

• The Spirit of Adoption (freedom) – your inheritance of the Spirit. What has your heavenly Father given you?

• “Abba! Father! = Daddy Daddy! 

• “Under Roman adoption, the life and standing of the adopted child changed completely. The adopted son lost all rights in his old family and gained all new rights in his new family; the old life of the adopted son was completely wiped out, with all debts being cancelled, with nothing from his past counting against him anymore.”

                    – Guzik 

• This is how we KNOW!!! Our spirit bears witness of His Spirit! 
• We are heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ!! 
• But we must suffer!! It’s part of the package! 
• Through the gift of the Spirit, we have an ability to understand and endure suffering!