Romans 8:1-4
5 words that will change your life: There is now no condemnation.
The word “now” indicates things are different than they used to be.
Plan of salvation is essentially trinitarian: For God’s way of justification is not law but Grace through the death of Christ, and his way of sanctification is not law but the Spirit through his indwelling.
When we understand our position in Christ, we better understand our condition:
- Our position is who we are.
- Our condition is what we do (how we live).
- How we live flows out of who we are.
Paul’s favorite phrase to make clear our position is “IN CHRIST.”
- In Christ – No condemnation
- In Christ – No separation
All of us were in double trouble:
- We were Guilty because of sin (position problem)
- We were Sick because of sin (condition problem)
All of us have available a double cure:
- God justifies us (position solution).
- God empowers us by the Holy Spirit to live a new life (a condition solution).
- We have been set free from both sin’s penalty and sin’s power.
Romans 8:5-13
Mind set on flesh: Hyper focused on what the flesh desires.
Mind set on spirt: Hyper focused on what the Spirit desires.
Symbiotic relationship between who you are and what you think
Who you are determines what you think and what you think determines who you are. The two go together.
Your thoughts are determining whether you live a life according to flesh or the spirit.
We are not just to think the right things we are to do the right things!
Romans 8:14-16
