Romans 8:1-4
START CONVERESATION
What is something you’ve never done but would like to try to do?
What is something you’ve tried but would never do again?
START TALKING
Some like Psalm 23 or John 3 or Hebrews 11. Without a doubt, Romans 8 is a favorite chapter in the Bible of some. What many believe about salvation and about the spirit-filled life comes from Romans 8. Christians spend all of their earthly lives saying, “Oh, I just can’t wait to get to heaven!” The truth about the Good News is this: You don’t have to go through a cemetery to get heaven, it is available right now. The song says, “Heaven came down and Glory filled my soul.” If you don’t understand what the spirit-filled life is all about, you’re probably living in spiritual misery and missing God’s glory.
Romans 8 is all about living in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Think of the Bible as a ring and Romans as being the biggest diamond set in the ring. Romans 8 would be the pinnacle point of that diamond. In Romans 8 you start out with “no condemnation” and you end up with “no separation”. In the middle, it’s you and God “working out all things for the good.” This study offers four affirmations for the spirit-filled Christian.
READ ROMANS 8:1
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” Romans 8:1.
First, “Not Condemned for My Sin.” When you trust in Christ you can be certain that you are forgiven. When Christ comes into your life you are pardoned, not paroled. Your guilt is gone! You may feel guilty but the reality is that you are forgiven!
Here’s what that means. When you and I put our faith in Jesus and turn from our sins and become Christians, God looks at us as “in Christ Jesus.” He no longer looks at us as unrighteous sinners; instead He looks at us through the filter of the righteousness of Jesus Christ. And although I’m not a perfect person, God points his finger at me and says, “When I look at you, I see the righteousness of Jesus Christ.” When you are “in Jesus …we are God’s workmanship.” Ephesians 2:10 God is kind of like a heavenly handyman and has a shop and He’s working on us; we are God’s workmanship, created “in Christ Jesus,” to do good works. When you’re “in Christ” you choose to live a righteous kind of life!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Paul says in Romans 8:1 that there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. What does the word condemnation mean to you? What words or phrases does it bring to mind?
- What does being “in Christ Jesus” mean?
READ ROMANS 8:2
“For the law of the SPIRIT of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2.
Second, “Not Constrained to Sin!” There is nothing that can force you to sin any more. Freedom means you are free from the power of the devil’s influence. You CAN say, with confidence, GET BEHIND ME in the NAME of Jesus. And he will.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Many Christians struggle believing Romans 8:1. What are some of the reasons that it can be hard to accept God’s statement “No condemnation!”?
- If God, in Christ, does not condemn you, where do thoughts of condemnation in your life come from?
READ ROMANS 8:3
“For what the law was powerless to do, in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so, He (that is Jesus) condemns sin in sinful man …” (Romans 8:3)
Third, “Not Charged with My Sin!” The old law bound me. Before you came to Christ, there was a law working that had a stranglehold on you and you were enslaved to it–it had you wrapped up and bound. What was the law? Sin and death. For those who might not know what the law of sin and death is–it’s really simple: The Bible says, “The soul that sins, it shall die.” Ezekiel 18:20 That’s the law of sin and death. The great Theologian Popeye had a saying that went something like this, “I ams what I ams”. We have a choice, we either serve our fleshly desires or we answer to the will of God.
Jesus has “breathed LIFE into the believer”. The law of the spirit of life has set me free from the law of sin and death. Horatio G. Spafford wrote the hymn “It is Well with My Soul”. One of the verses says, “My sin. Oh, the bliss of this glorious thought. My sin–not in part but the whole–is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, Oh, my soul!”The believer can say, “I am not charged with my sin.” Every believer needs to get out of living Romans 7 and take permanent spiritual residences in Romans 8. It is TIME to operate under the law of the spirit of life.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- A person may say, “I know God forgives me, but I just can’t forgive myself.” Why do some have a hard time forgiving themselves? What could you share with someone who struggles with accepting the forgiveness of Jesus for past and present sin?
- How have you personally seen the Spirit set you free from some past memory or present struggle with sin?
READ ROMANS 8:4
“…in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us who do not live according to the sinful nature, but according to the spirit.” Romans 8:4
Fourth, “Not Controlled by Sin.”
The age-old questions are “Can a man or a woman be holy? Can a man or a woman live godly?” The reason we can’t is because of that old law of sin and death. One might call it the “gravity of depravity”. But there is the law of the spirit of life that can overcome the “old law”. You CAN soar above any sin. You CAN live holy and righteously.
The Holy Spirit NOW who lives within you. A life of holiness is possible ONLY when we choose to yield to the Holy Spirit. A spirit-controlled Christian is one who chooses to say, “Yes!” to the leading of the Holy Spirit. That choice is still accessible. We need to choose to live in the life-giving potential of Romans 8. It would change your marriage, your job, your family, and your attitude about life. It would literally change everything. What will be your choice?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- There are likely many who affirm the amazing truths of Romans 8:1-4 mentally, but may struggle to receive them in their hearts. In what ways do individuals struggle believing this truth and how can they begin to live up to their potential?
START PRAYING
God, your love for us is overwhelming. Your grace is amazing. Thank You for always forgiving us, even when we don’t deserve it. Holy Spirit, show us any bitterness in our lives. Please give us the strength to show compassion and forgiveness to people who have hurt us. We love You and praise You for all that You do. Amen!
