Romans 8 | Scripture

Life Through the Spirit (NIV)

8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 

Whether it’s that thing we did that one time, or the things that we struggle with daily, we are not to be condemned. -Not by peers, not by ourselves and certainly Jesus will not condemn us. He saves, he guides, he forgives and restores. Are we reaching for him or stuck and held captive by “illegal” condemnation?

² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you^[a] free from the law of sin and death. 

Our addictions, struggles, or simply our not knowing any other way, will often lead to death. He can show us something different. A new life. It takes a lot of self-control to learn the new way and then to retrain ourselves with new habits.

³ For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, ^[b] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. ^[c] And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 

The law could not save us. God sent his son to show that the flesh is sinful and we can’t save ourselves. It was the blood of Jesus that saved us. It is his spirit and his grace that restores us.

⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

After being saved, we must continue to follow Jesus. We must continue to learn about and live by the spirit.

⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 

My commentary says that 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.

⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 

When we allow sin in our life, not only is there the matter of the wrong that was done, but often we waste so much energy, worrying over what has happened or hiding it from others. We kill the moment that could and should be used to serve others, by seeking self-justification or reasoning.

When we make time to study the word, it gets in our mind and heart. Prayer invites the spirit to touch our heart and remind us of those scriptures and/or the path. Obedience to the spirit, allows us to continue moving forward. When we know that we’ve done what was right, we do not need to rehearse responses to what has happened or worry over the consequences.

⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 

When you are still trying to control yourself and do what you want to do, you wrestle with God. You’re not with him. You do not want his laws. If you’re not saved, your “flesh” won’t even appreciate the “Godly way” because it’s so different or unnatural to our humanly desires.

⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

Seeking and gratifying self does not please God.

⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.

If the spirit lives in you, he can guide you. If you haven’t given your life to God, you wouldn’t recognize or acknowledge his promptings.

¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life^[d] because of righteousness. 

Our physical bodies may wither but the spirit brings eternal life to those who follow Christ’s commands.

¹¹ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of^[e]his Spirit who lives in you.

His spirit will bring light and give life to knowledge. Making you aware of consequences, needs of others, and new views of right and wrong. Living in that realm, ignites a zest for living and serving others that may not have been previously kindled.

¹² Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 

Our obligation is to live by the spirit, not self.

¹³ For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

Die to self, daily, again and again. By rejection of selfish desire, further feeds the life of the spirit.

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

Those who live by the word and by the spirit, and die to self, show that they are children of God. Actions match words. God will also acknowledge them. 

¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. ^[f] And by him we cry, “Abba, ^[g] Father.” 

This new relationship with Christ will make you want something different. Something better. Something more meaningful. When you see the significant changes in your life from living by the spirit, you will want to make other changes in your life to extend that relationship. We are not “slaves” or called to serve in misery.  There is a heart change that is a natural stage of the progression of faith.

¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 

He simply reminds us who we are and who we, as Christians, are called to be.

¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

If we can live by the spirit, instead of self. If we can show this love and let it lead in our lives, then we will reside in the Kingdom of Heaven with our Father.

Present Suffering and Future Glory

¹⁸ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 

No matter what we are faced with now, this is temporary.  Eternity is forever and if we can stay strong and persevere, it will be worth the wait and even better than what we imagined.

¹⁹ For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 

The world is simply falling apart and one day the Good Lord, his mercy and his people will prevail. Until then, someone needs to see what Jesus looks like in the life that you and I lead. –Who is it that we are waiting on? What does he look like? How will he save? Who (and why) do you serve?

²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 

My commentary for this and the next two verses states: Christians see the world as it is, physically decaying and spiritually infected. But Christians do not need to be pessimistic, because they have hope for future glory. They look forward to the new heaven and the new earth that God has promised and they wait for God’s new order that will free them from the world of sin, sickness and evil. In the meantime, Christians go with Christ into the world where they heal people’s bodies and souls and fight the evil effects of sin in the world.

²¹ that^[h] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

The world that is, will exist no more.

²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 

Everyone is suffering. When it says creation, I believe that is also referencing animals and plants. Everything already begins dying off the minute that its born. How much more are things altered by man's attempt to control it. We demand 'more' or 'faster' or 'bigger' from everything that we touch. We seldom appreciate the magnificence of  'what' and 'how' things are naturally. Everything has to be changed as if God's way or design was never enough.

While there have been many advances and inventions, there is an ‘ecosystem’ physically and spiritually that is being altered with each change and with each man. There is a cause and an effect. We can serve the cause of Christ or the cause of self; there is an effect but even the earth cries out for life.

²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 

Even with the help of the spirit, how many times have we said, God, please just take us home now…?

²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 

Place confidence in God’s goodness and future plan. Not only hoping for this moment or for triumph in this trial. We should hope for redemption at the finality of it all. Not just for self but for all people.

²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

Be encouraged that we can be a part of his message and an extension of his love. Be encouraged that he has a plan for each of us.

²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 

God knows your every struggle and every thought. Call him and do not stop calling. Even when you think you know the way, ask him to keep you in his presence. When you do not have the words, he acknowledges the cries from your heart. It is what you allow your heart to need that reveals what you truly desire.

²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Your heart tells God what you need. The spirit interprets and convinces us, yet petitions God when we cannot.

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[i] have been called according to his purpose. 

Even in our most shameful moments, God can bring healing and restoration. He can also bring a glory through that experience whether it is used to educate others or bring about change, or refocus each of us on his path.  Do not let the “one thing” no matter how great or small keep you from pressing on, from finding light, from knowing the redemptive peace of the blood of God.

That does NOT mean that moving forward will be easy or will make us happy through every stage. It is often the hardship that grooms us, the process of continuing through that refines. 

²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 

This verse can be confusing. It sounds like God may only give salvation to those he chooses. Other interpretations say that God already knows who will choose him. I have more peace with that second answer. He knows every sin you and I have committed before we even know it. He knows our thoughts and fears and hopes in our most secretive, innermost being. He loves each of us and wants us ALL to come unto him regardless of past or even present and/or future.

He knows (and foreknew those) who will come but for those that do, he wants us to become like him, and to then lead others to him.

³⁰ And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

He had a plan for each of us as he was making us. The plan did not change when we failed. He still has the plan. You still have the life. He died on the cross to atone for your sin. The best version of yourself and future lies ahead.  GET UP and move forward!

More Than Conquerors

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

You have no right to condemn yourself. He has forgiven you. Others may judge and have a valid reason for convicting or even punishing you. Do not cower down because of it. Stand up. Own your mistakes.  Recognize the need for salvation, repent and move forward. God will bring you through this.

³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 

Why would he let his own son die on a cross to save you from your sins, if he too was just going to shame you in the end?  Salvation was for me and YOU. The book of Romans is a letter to you about how much he wants you with him and how he can help you get up and he can help you continue through this life in ALL THINGS.

³³ Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 

Again, you might have your opinions and others might as well. God called you and he will make your paths straight.

³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 

He dies for your sins but was raised to vindicate. Cling to salvation and the hope we have in Christ. Rely on the spirit that will show us the way.

³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 

No one is greater than God. Do not submit to any other God. Not the power of oppressors, the shame of man, the myths of the world or the things that have been.

³⁶ As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;

    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”^[j]

There will always be someone against us. (Even our self). There will always be persecution and opportunity for others to tell us that we are wrong and not savable. Every day it will come in different forms.

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 

More than conquerors THROUGH him. You will not conquer this life or yourself or your enemy without him.

³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, ^[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 

It doesn't matter how strong the oppression seems or is-

³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Or how far it seems we have to go, there is nothing too big or too bad or too strong that will keep you from the love of God. Nothing will separate you from his love, his direction or the life that he wants to give you. And nothing can hold you back but you.