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Romans: Part 4 - Ch. 7-8



The Law & The Spirit


As we bridge from chapters 5 and 6 of Romans, where we discussed how we are justified and made righteous through Christ, Paul now leads us into the next two chapters where he really hammers down on topics that we’ve discussed before, even in the book of Acts! Those two points are that believers in Christ are freed from the Law and that the Holy Spirit dwells in all followers of Christ. Just as we mentioned, these points have been hit on before in Acts and a little bit at the beginning of Romans, but Paul wants to make this crystal clear to his current audience. As Got Questions so clearly puts forth, “Christ Jesus redeemed us from the curse that has been brought through the law by becoming a curse for us. He substituted Himself in our place and upon the cross took the punishment that is justly ours so that we are no longer under the curse of the Law. In doing so, He fulfilled and upheld the requirements of the Law.” Realizing this point is necessary in order for us to understand that we need a savior at the very least. Following the Law outlined in the Old Testament is impossible to do because not only is mankind born into all sin, but it is next to impossible to follow all 613 laws that the old covenant commands. Once we humble ourselves and understand that we need a savior, we can open ourselves up to the idea that we truly need Christ and become filled with His Spirit. With this in mind, let’s see how Paul tells the Romans of these powerful truths. 


Dead To The Law


To begin, Paul compares the Old Testament Law to marriage at the beginning of chapter 7. He states that a person is under a covenant as long as their husband or wife is still alive. Once their significant other has passed, however, that old covenant is no longer relevant. Paul uses this idea to show how we are no longer under the old covenant. Romans 7:4 says, “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you also were put to death in regard to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.” Being put to death concerning the Law is pretty strong language, but it’s also very clear language. Brothers and sisters in Christ are no longer held accountable to the Law because of the death of Jesus Christ. And it is becasue of this death and conversion in our lives that we are able to bear the fruit that God has called us to bear. However, with the process of sanctification being a continual one until the day we die, the battle between our good nature and sinful one is continued until we are completely sanctified, and this is what Paul hits on at the end of chapter 7. Romans 7:18-19 tells us, “For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.” I don’t know a single believer who can’t relate to this statement. Yes, the process of sanctification progresses through our lives, but the frustrations of sin and our human nature failing us are still ongoing. Thank the Lord, however, that His Spirit continues to change us and shape us to be more like Him and to continually die to sin, which is exactly what Paul hits on next. 


Who Has The Spirit?


Chapter 8 kicks off with Paul telling the Romans that the Holy Spirit dwells in all believers. This means that if you have repented and believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ, you have the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:9 says, “However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.” Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him. In other words, if you do belong to Christ, you do have the Spirit. If you were with us last month, you know that we discussed this a bit when talking about how you know if you have the Holy Spirit. The defining aspect of a person’s life that determines whether or not they have the Holy Spirit is not if they can speak in tongues, but if that person has repented and believes in Christ as their savior. This is the ultimate answer against any who claim that you don’t have the Holy Spirit unless you possess a particular gift. If you are saved, Jesus has given you His Spirit. Period. Near the end of chapter 8, Paul makes sure to note that as believers, we are not going to experience our best life on this side of heaven. 

This take immediately shuts down false teachings that so often come from the prosperity gospel movement. Paul notes in Romans 8:23 “And not only that, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, the redemption of our body.” We groan as we wait for the redemption of our bodies. This does not sound like a pleasant experience. However, Paul is sure to remind us that even though we may suffer on this side of heaven, it is all worth it in the end to be with God in heaven for eternity. This is why Paul mentions one of the more famous passages at the end of Romans 8 in verse 31 “If God is for us, who can be against us?” This is overwhelmingly good news for followers of Christ in these two chapters. Not only are we freed from the standards of the Law, but we know that we are led by the Spirit if we have been saved by Christ. All of this points to us having everything we need in order to make it through this life, no matter how much suffering we may endure. Beyond this, we have the promise from God Himself as well that He will be for us, and therefore, no one can stand against us. I hope and pray that as you continue to read through the book of Romans with us, you will be filled with joy and knowledge as you learn more about your life as a Christ-follower and the beauty of our savior. 

 





Sources

[1] Blue Letter Bible. (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/

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