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Lesson 8 - Freedom to Be Holy, Romans 8:1-17
(To help you answer the questions see the Notes below
Addiction is slavery. We start out enjoying what later becomes a habit we can't break. Whether it is food, drugs or alcohol, there is a humiliating bondage to anything that controls us.
Addictions can sometimes be broken, but it's a consuming fight. And once conquered there is no relaxing. Without constant vigilance, they can take hold of us again.
Sin is an addiction. We are delivered from its fatal strangle hold by the work of Jesus Christ. But as with other addictions, how can we keep it from taking hold of us again?
How have you handled the habits or addictions that seek to get a hold on you?
Read Romans 8:1-17. What resounding good news does Paul declare (Romans 8:1-4)?
God is not willing to leave us in a desperate state of condemnation. According to Romans 8:1-17, how is the entire Trinity-Father, Son and Spirit-involved in our deliverance?
What contrasts does Paul make between those who live by the Spirit and those who live by their sinful nature (Romans 8:5-8)?
How can we know which description applies to us (Romans 8:9)?
Paul states that Christians do not live according to the sinful nature (Romans 8:4) and are not controlled by the sinful nature (Romans 8:9). How does that fit with your experience? Explain.
According to Paul, what role does the mind play in a life of sin or a life of righteousness (Romans 8:5-8)?
How have you observed the role of the mind in your own combat with sin?
In living righteously, what is the difference between setting our minds on the Spirit and sheer willpower?
Explain in your own words the deep tension that exists between our body and our spirit (Romans 8:10).
How will the Holy Spirit ultimately resolve that tension (Romans 8:11)?
In light of what he has written, Paul states that we have an obligation (Romans 8:12). What is our part and what is the Spirit's part in fulfilling that obligation (Romans 8:12-17)?
As you look back at this passage, how would you summarize the Spirit's work in our holiness?
How can you cooperate with the Spirit as he keeps you free from the addiction to sin?
8:1 "Not guilty; let him go free"-what would those words mean to you if you were on death row? The fact is that the whole human race is on death row, justly condemned for repeatedly breaking God's holy law. Without Jesus we would have no hope at all. But thank God! He has declared us not guilty and has offered us freedom from sin and power to do his will.
Romans 8:2
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8:2 This Spirit of life is the Holy Spirit. He was present at the creation of the world (Genesis 1:2), and he is the power behind the rebirth of every Christian. He gives us the power we need to live the Christian life. For more about the Holy Spirit, read the notes on § John 3:6; § Acts 1:3; § Acts 1:4-5; § Acts 1:5.
Romans 8:3
8:3 Jesus gave himself as a sacrifice ("sin offering") for our sins. In Old Testament times, animal sacrifices were continually offered at the temple. The sacrifices showed the Israelites the seriousness of sin: blood had to be shed before sins could be pardoned (see Leviticus 17:11). But animal blood could not really remove sins (Hebrews 10:4). The sacrifices could only point to Jesus' sacrifice, which paid the penalty for all sins.
Romans 6:1-8:39
6:1-8:39 This section deals with sanctification-the change God makes in our lives as we grow in the faith. Romans 6 explains that believers are free from sin's control. Romans 7 discusses the continuing struggle believers have with sin. Romans 8 describes how we can have victory over sin.
6:1-2 If God loves to forgive, why not give him more to forgive? If forgiveness is guaranteed, do we have the freedom to sin as much as we want? Paul's forceful answer is By no means! Such an attitude-deciding ahead of time to take advantage of God-shows that a person does not understand the seriousness of sin. God's forgiveness does not make sin less serious; his Son's death for sin shows us the dreadful seriousness of sin. Jesus paid with his life so we could be forgiven. The availability of God's mercy must not become an excuse for careless living and moral laxness.
6:1-4 In the church of Paul's day, immersion was the usual form of baptism-that is, new Christians were completely "buried" in water. They understood this form of baptism to symbolize the death and burial of the old way of life. Coming up out of the water symbolized resurrection to new life with Christ. If we think of our old, sinful life as dead and buried, we have a powerful motive to resist sin. We can consciously choose to treat the desires and temptations of the old nature as if they were dead. Then we can continue to enjoy our wonderful new life with Jesus (see Galatians 3:27 and Col. 2:12 and Col. 3:1-4 for more on this concept).
Romans 8:5-6
8:5-6 Paul divides people into two categories-those who let themselves be controlled by their sinful natures, and those who follow after the Holy Spirit. All of us would be in the first category if Jesus hadn't offered us a way out. Once we have said yes to Jesus, we will want to continue following him, because his way brings life and peace. Daily we must consciously choose to center our lives on God. Use the Bible to discover God's guidelines, and then follow them. In every perplexing situation ask yourself, "What would Jesus want me to do?" When the Holy Spirit points out what is right, do it eagerly. For more on our sinful natures versus our new life in Christ, see Romans 6:6-8, Ephes. 4:22-24; Col. 3:3-15.
Romans 8:9
8:9 Have you ever worried about whether or not you really are a Christian? A Christian is anyone who has the Spirit of God living in him or her. If you have sincerely trusted Christ for your salvation and acknowledged him as Lord, then the Holy Spirit has come into your life, and you are a Christian. You won't know that the Holy Spirit has come if you are waiting for a certain feeling; you will know he has come because Jesus promised he would. When the Holy Spirit is working within you, you will believe that Jesus Christ is God's Son and that eternal life comes through him (1 John 5:5); you will begin to act as Christ directs (Romans 8:5; Galatians 5:22-23); you will find help in your daily problems and in your praying (Romans 8:26-27); you will be empowered to serve God and do his will (Acts 1:8; Romans 12:6ff); and you will become part of God's plan to build up his church (Ephes. 4:12-13).
Romans 8:11
8:11 The Holy Spirit is God's promise or guarantee of eternal life for those who believe in him. The Spirit is in us now by faith, and by faith we are certain to live with Christ forever. See Romans 8:23; 1 Cor. 6:14; 2 Cor. 4:14; 1 Thes. 4:14.
Romans 8:13
8:13 "Put to death the misdeeds of the body" means to regard as dead the power of sin in your body (see Romans 6:11; Galatians 5:24). When we regard sin's appeal as dead and lifeless, we can ignore temptation when it comes.
Romans 8:14-17
8:14-17 Paul uses adoption or "sonship" to illustrate the believer's new relationship with God. In Roman culture, the adopted person lost all rights in his old family and gained all the rights of a legitimate child in his new family. He became a full heir to his new father's estate. Likewise, when a person becomes a Christian, he or she gains all the privileges and responsibilities of a child in God's family. One of these outstanding privileges is being led by the Spirit (see Galatians 4:5-6). We may not always feel as though we belong to God, but the Holy Spirit is our witness. His inward presence reminds us of who we are and encourages us with God's love (Romans 5:5).
8:14-17 We are no longer cringing and fearful slaves; instead, we are the Master's children. What a privilege! Because we are God's children, we share in great treasures as co-heirs. God has already given us his best gifts: his Son, forgiveness, and eternal life; and he encourages us to ask him for whatever we need.
8:17 There is a price for being identified with Jesus. Along with the great treasures, Paul mentions the suffering that Christians must face. What kinds of suffering are we to endure? For first-century believers, there was economic and social persecution, and some even faced death. We too must pay a price for following Jesus. In many parts of today's world, Christians face pressures just as severe as those faced by Christ's first followers. Even in countries where Christianity is tolerated or encouraged, Christians must not become complacent. To live as Jesus did-serving others, giving up one's own rights, resisting pressures to conform to the world-always exacts a price. Nothing we suffer, however, can compare to the great price that Jesus paid to save us.
8:14-17 Paul uses adoption or "sonship" to illustrate the believer's new relationship with God. In Roman culture, the adopted person lost all rights in his old family and gained all the rights of a legitimate child in his new family. He became a full heir to his new father's estate. Likewise, when a person becomes a Christian, he or she gains all the privileges and responsibilities of a child in God's family. One of these outstanding privileges is being led by the Spirit (see Galatians 4:5-6). We may not always feel as though we belong to God, but the Holy Spirit is our witness. His inward presence reminds us of who we are and encourages us with God's love (Romans 5:5).
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