Lesson 30 & 31   March 10, 2002

 

Ø      8:5-8  Our Freedom in Christ;  The Liberation of the Believer.

 

 

8:5  Statement of the 2 natures in view

 

 

The contrast here is between the believer, the one with the H/S and the unbeliever the one dominated by the flesh.

 

 

 

Several key words here;

  - according to  - prep. kata.;  down on;  has the force of domination

Speaks of what dominates the life and thinking.  The standard on which the life is lived is the flesh!

 

 

 

- set their minds vs:5 & mind set on the flesh vs:6  fronew  vb.  fronhma  noun not just referring to the function of the intellect, thinking, reasoning; 

This word recognizes the close relationship between life and thought and therefore includes the impact of the will/choices being made.

 

 

 

- The fantastic blessing and provision of 8:1-4 can not be realized by the one whose mind is set the flesh.

 

 

 

Notice the contrast!  but those who are according to [kata] the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

 

 

 

Ø      8:6 The results/consequences of these 2 natures

 

- the flesh is death

 

- the Spirit is life and peace

 

 

Ø      8:7-8   Characteristics of the mind that is set on the flesh that leads to death!

 

for it  (the mind set on the flesh)  does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able

 

 

Verse 8 logically follows;

There is absolutely nothing an unsaved person can do to please God!

 

 

 

This verse is saying that everything that we have done in our life before coming to faith in Christ;  was unacceptable to God,  it was not pleasing to Him in any way!

 

Ø     8:9  Back to focus on the Believer

 

-  Begins with a statement of fact then follows with how we know this!

 

-  However, YOU, [yourselves]  are  [eivmi  keep on being, always true]  not in the flesh but [avlla.]  in the Spirit,

 

 

-  How we know this Paul states in the next phrase;   if indeed  [ei;per assumes as true]  the Spirit of God dwells in you. 

 

 

-  How important is the indwelling of the Spirit?

But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ he does not belong to Him. 

 

 

*** Note on terms for the Holy Spirit in the context:

    #1.  Spirit of life - 8:2 - agent of regeneration; giving of new life

    #2.  Spirit of God - 8:9 - indicates He carries out the purposes of God

    #3.  Spirit of Christ - 8:9 - Jn 16:7 I will send Him to you; to produce the character of Christ in the one indwelt, all to glorify Christ.

 

 

 

 

Ø      8:10   And if [1cc] Christ is in you, though the body is dead [subject to death] because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

 

 

What manner of life is it and whose life is it?

- Jn 1:4 cf. 10:10; 11:25;  Col 3:4;  1 Jn 5:11-12;     Gal 2:20; hope -> Col 1:27;  Eph 3:17

 

- What one thing will justification and sanctification never cure??

 

 

-  (On the other hand) the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

 

The power of the new spiritual life in Christ, conveys 2 truths here; 

      #1  that we have life in the sense of deliverance from condemnation, servitude to the Sin nature, and we can enjoy that now.

      #2  in the future we will experience resurrection life that will bring transformation of this body itself.

 

 

Ø      8:11  The reminder that the body is still subject to death need cause no alarm or despair to the believer. 

 

-  The Holy Spirit is the guarantee that just as He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you.               Phil. 3:20-21

 

 

2.  The believer's obligation  8:12-17 [2nd major section of ch 8]

Our response to what God through Christ has done for us and provided to us.

 

Ø      8:12-13   We are under obligation

-  So then  [intros a logical conclusion from the preceding paragraph]

 

 

-  What happens when you have people who try to fulfill obligations in their life without BD;   Therefore W/O any foundation for what they're attempting to do??

 

-  Paul tells us here very emphatically we have absolutely no obligation to the flesh, to the Sin nature.

 

-  Structure Summary vs:12-13:

We are under obligation     NOT  to the flesh

                           we are debtors      not to live according to the flesh

 

                              [last of vs:13]     BUT  to the Spirit

                                                          to live according to the Spirit

-  With verse 13 Paul states the consequences of the choices made;

-  if according to the flesh you must die!

-  if according to the Spirit you will live!

 

 

-  As Believers, our obligation, our duty in living the CWOL is based on 3 great truths of BD:

 

 

#1.  The Sacrifice of Christ;  Ch. 3-6, look almost any where!

#2.  The indwelling of the Holy Spirit.   8:9 

#3.  The initiation of the Father, its His plan,  8:3 

 

-  Our conclusion then:  for the basis of obligation!  

This is the experience of grace in the life of the believer.

#1.  God/F gave His Son for me and accomplished what I could not do!

#2.  God/Son died for me, as I understand what He did, it motivates me!  2 Cor 5:14

#3.  God the H/S who gave me life indwells me, & empowers me.

 

 

*  As you look closely at these 2 vs's [12-13] do they not clearly support the reality that the Sin nature is still there,  Still present in you?

 

vs:13  provides a further explanation of vs:12

Its a warning, a strong warning to them;  recognizes that we as believers have to make choices.

 

 

If you choose to live under the flesh, know this "you must die"

What are the options here:

-  Could this refer to spiritual death?

 

 

-  Could this be referring to temporal death?

 

 

-  So this you are about to die = physical death!