Romans 8:12-17 – How Have You Been Changed?

Romans 8:12-17

“[12] So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. [13] For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. [14] For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. [15] For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” [16] The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, [17] and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”

What’s The Point?

When someone follows Jesus, everything in their life changes. Asking the question, “What changes when you follow Jesus?” Is like asking, “What’s the difference in a dead person and a living person?” Everything is different.       Unfortunately, we do not always live as if everything is different, and that is exactly why this text is so important for believers. When we go from dead to sin to alive in Christ, we receive a new obligation, new identity, new assurance, and new inheritance. Christ makes all things new.

Before we were in Christ we were obligated to obey the flesh. To be obligated to something means that we are morally or legally bound to it. We used to be slaves to our sin, like Romans 6 tells us. We used to be legally bound to obey the law, but Christ has fulfilled the law. Now, we are not obligated to obey our flesh; we are obligated to obey Christ. We are no longer dependent on the law for our righteousness, for we have been given the righteousness of Christ.

Look at how Paul describes the new identity of those who are in Christ: they are “sons of God” (v. 14), “children of God” (v. 16), and “heirs with Christ” (v. 17). We have to realize what a big deal this is. We have been adopted into the family of God, Jesus being the firstborn—our big brother. Often we might think of our relationship with God as one where he puts up with us because of Jesus, but that is a misunderstanding. In Matthew 3 Jesus was baptized and the Father spoke from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” We are brought into that relationship. God doesn’t put up with us; he is pleased with us as his very own children.

Side Note: Abba is a very personal term. It is the Hebrew word for father, but really is more like saying, “Daddy” or “Papa.” This is important because God is not just our father in a legal sense. He loves us; he loves to be with us; he takes joy in us. This level of intimacy and love should absolutely blow our minds!

Our new assurance in Christ is something that should constantly amaze us. In every world religion people are striving for something like heaven. It might be called perfection, enlightenment, paradise, nirvana or anything else, but Christianity is the only religion that gives assurance of salvation. Every other religion, worldview, or belief system can only hope they have done enough to enter the afterlife. Our assurance is based on Christ’s finished work, so not only do we have eternal life, but we can be sure of that promise. What a wonderful gift of hope that is as we live day to day.

Lastly, we receive a new inheritance in Christ. We are heirs with Christ. The riches of Christ are all ours. He is already seated in heaven, and he has both paved the way for us to glory and prepared a place for us there. When we were in our flesh, our inheritance was bound to be suffering; now, in Christ, our inheritance is eternal life in a perfected new creation.

When someone obeys the call to follow Jesus they die to themselves and live for Christ; they go from slaves of sin to slaves of righteousness; they turn from strangers and aliens into citizens and saints. He has made us new in every way and given us every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). We have to walk in this reality. Let’s be people who know our new obligation, new identity, new assurance, and new inheritance, and let’s live in light of that glorious reality.

Scripture Memorization

Ephesians 2:13

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

Prayer

Gracious Father, how can you call me your child? I have rebelled, disobeyed, followed my heart, and looked for pleasure in this world. If it were up to me, I would still be in my sin. But you picked me up out of my filth. You cleaned me off and gave me new clothes, a new family, and a new identity. Now, I am clothed in the righteousness of Christ, and I am your child. You have redeemed me! I praise you because the riches of your grace are never-ending and you chose to love me.

Reflection

1. How do we separate ourselves from “this body of death?”
2. Are you a son/daughter of God? How can you know?
3. Read Ephesians 2. Make a list of things that identify us in Christ compared to the things that identified us in the flesh.

Discussion Questions

1. What are the four new things we are given in Christ? What is significant about each of those?
2. If we have all these new things in Christ, how should our lives be different?
3. Even though we are new creations in Christ, we will still battle sin every day of our lives. How do we battle against the presence and power of sin that still exists in our lives?