Romans 8:1-17: The Holy Spirit Provides the Power to defeat Indwelling Sin

Okay, Paul, if the law is not the power and source of godly living, then what is the source? First, one must receive an outside righteousness and be declared righteous by God (conversion, justification, salvation) and then they will find the only true way to godly living is by the power of the Holy Spirit as they obey the inspired Scriptures. Indwelling sin cannot be defeated without the power and strength of the Holy Spirit.

I.                  For those in a new covenant relationship with the Messiah, Jesus, the condemnation of the law is gone vs. 1-3

A.     There can be no condemnation for the person in Christ. Once a person is delivered from the penalty and authority of sin in their life through identification with the person and work of Jesus the Messiah, instead of being condemned, they are declared righteous. Instead of being on the road to hell, they are on the road to heaven. They are a new person because of their identity and relationship with Jesus Christ. vs. 1

B.     There can be no bondage to the law of sin and death for the person in Christ. Every human, as a sinner, is condemned to death by the moral law. But once one is delivered (saved) from the penalty, authority, and love of sin through their identification with Jesus the Messiah, they have also been set free from the condemnation of the moral law. The believer’s life is wrapped up in Jesus; they have a new and abundant life in connection with Jesus through the indwelling Holy Spirit. vs. 2

C.     The problem is not with God’s holy law; the law is limited by the sinner’s weakness. The law cannot save sinners; only God can save sinners. How? By sending Jesus, the God-Man, to pay the penalty of death in our place for our sin. He was condemned in our place; thus, it is impossible for us to be charged again for the same set of sins. Jesus was the believer’s wrath-bearing sacrifice so that he/she could be declared righteous. vs. 3

II.                For those in a new covenant relationship with the Messiah, Jesus, the indwelling Holy Spirit has been given. vs. 4-9

A.     The believer is to live under the Holy Spirit’s control, authority, and by His power. This will result in a godly life that fulfills by grace the requirements of the moral law. The believer is not to live under the direction of the flesh, his/her indwelling sin. The solution to the weakness of the flesh is the powerful Holy Spirit and the powerful Bible He inspired and illuminates for the believer who reads and studies it. The believer’s identification and relationship with Jesus the Messiah guarantees the presence of the Holy Spirit. vs. 4

B.     The contrast is clear. Humans who are in the flesh are under the law’s condemnation, but those who are in Christ are delivered from condemnation. God has given the believer a new relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit to indwell and direct him/her. Thus, they differ from those who are still lost (unsaved, pagans, unbelievers). vs. 5-8

1.      The unbeliever is directed by his/her sinful nature, is selfish and sinful in his/her thought life, is separated from God’s grace and holiness, is on the broad road to everlasting death, his/her mind is a war with God, His truth, and His moral law. The unbeliever is unable and powerless to submit and surrender to God’s righteous standard (moral law). They do not want to obey God, and even if they did, they are totally unable to do so. They cannot live in a way that pleases God.

2.      The believer’s mind under the direction of the Holy Spirit is full of life and peace. Saved people think about the things the Holy Spirit inspired in the Word of God. They love and serve God. They surrender to God’s person, will, and His written Word. By the power of the Holy Spirit, they are able to obey God, submit to His moral law and Word. By submitting to the Spirit’s control and by His producing of spiritual fruit in their lives (love, joy, peace, self-control, etc.), they can live a life that is pleasing to God and brings glory to His wonderful name.

C.     The Holy Spirit immediately indwells every human at their justification (which followed their faith and repentance). When one embraces or receives Jesus by faith is when they also receive the Holy Spirit, not later at some event. The Holy Spirit is given to the believer at conversion because of the work of Jesus the Messiah and is the rightful heritage of every genuine believer. vs. 9

1.      If one is justified, he or she is not under the control of the flesh but under the control of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit indwells them, and they belong to Jesus.

2.      If one is under the control of their sin nature and does not have the Holy Spirit indwelling, leading, and directing them, then he or she does not belong to Jesus. (yet?)

III.              For those in a new covenant relationship with the Messiah, Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit is released in their lives. vs. 10-11

A.     Since Christ is in you all (pl), your body’s purpose is not sin but is righteousness. vs. 10

B.     The Holy Spirit, who powerfully raised Jesus from the dead, indwells you and will use that same power to make your mortal bodies enabled to live a godly life. vs. 11

IV.              For those in a new covenant relationship with the Messiah, Jesus, they also have the leadership of the Holy Spirit, spiritual life, and the power to fight indwelling sin. vs. 12-14

A.     The believer is not required to follow his/her indwelling sin and live a life of sin. vs. 12

B.     Those who live a life under sin’s reign are lost and are under the condemnation of everlasting death. They must obey their sin nature as sin’s slaves. vs. 13

C.     The believer must continually kill indwelling sin by the Holy Spirit’s power. vs. 13

D.     Only those being led by the Holy Spirit are real Christians (sons of God). The believer’s one evidence of sonship is the presence of the Holy Spirit in his/her life. vs. 14

V.                For those in a new covenant relationship with the Messiah, Jesus, they have been adopted as spiritual children by the work of the Holy Spirit. vs. 15-17

A.     They do not have a mentality of captivity, bondage, or paralyzing fear. vs. 15

B.     They have the mindset of belonging—as children of the Father. When in trouble, they can pray to their Father (papa). The Holy Spirit reveals their intimacy with the God they love. As adopted children, they have no birthright or claim to sonship, but by grace they are placed into God’s family with the full rights and privileges of the family of God.

C.     Their status has changed from enemy to adopted children and fellow heirs with Jesus the Messiah. vs. 17a