Romans 8:2-11 – Life By The Spirit

Romans 8:2-11

“[2] For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. [3] For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, [4] in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. [5] For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. [6] For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. [7] For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. [8] Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

[9] You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. [10] But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. [11] If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”

What’s The Point?

This passage answers a very important question: How is there no condemnation or judgement? We believe the truth of Romans 8:1; in fact, we think it is one of the greatest truths said about us in all of Scripture. It seems too good to be true. How can the condemnation that we deserve be removed?

Obviously, we could not remove this on our own; God had to do it, and the end of v. 3 tells us how. Jesus came “in the likeness of sinful flesh.” The sinful flesh is the term Paul uses to talk about the fallen, corrupted state of humanity. The flesh is that which is opposed to the Spirit, and all of us are bound up and clothed in that flesh before we are in Christ.

The flesh offered us no escape from condemnation; it actually was driving us full speed ahead towards our condemnation and destruction. God’s law is good, but in our flesh it became perverted. We needed an altogether different means of rescue. This is why we need Jesus.

The truth is, our condemnation can only be removed because Jesus took it. It was not possible for our condemnation to simply vanish. Jesus became sinful flesh so he could take our condemnation. He was punished and experienced our condemnation, and then he gave us the Spirit so we could live according to the Spirit rather than the flesh.

The reason we are not condemned by our flesh is because Jesus condemned sin in his flesh. This is a very important point; our flesh makes us unclean before God, but Jesus’ death clothes us in the righteousness of Christ rather than our own filthy rags. He fulfilled the law that we failed to meet. He met the demands that we fell woefully short of.

After Paul describes Jesus’ work and our justification he goes on in the next few verses to describe what living by the Spirit looks like. VV. 5-11 contrast the differences between life in the Spirit and life in the flesh. The mind set on the flesh is death, it is hostile towards God and does not belong to God. This is important for us to understand because so many people claim to know God but are clearly living lives submitted to the flesh.

Paul, however, shows us that only a Spirit-submitted person has a proper knowledge of Christ, knows God, and can be at peace. Paul is making the argument that living by the Spirit is proof of salvation and is the only way to have eternal life.

This contrast between the flesh and the Spirit is so important for us to understand because we, as sinful people, often want the benefits of the Spirit while still taking part in the pleasure the flesh offers. Romans 8 makes it abundantly clear; this option is off the table. We can either submit to our flesh and live at enmity with God, or we can submit to the Spirit and gain eternal life. 

Paul drives his point home in verse 11 by pointing out the Spirit living in us if we are in Christ is the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. The Spirit that gave physical life back to Jesus now breathes eternal life into the spiritual lungs of all those who believe in Jesus. And not only that, but the Spirit dwells in us; he abides with us; he makes his home with us.

Scripture Memorization

Romans 8:11

“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for dwelling with me. Let me not forget so quickly that you are with me. Remind me of your presence regularly so that I would not fall into sin so quickly. Lord, I confess that I am weak and frail, and you are almighty and all-powerful. I don’t know why you chose such a poor vessel for your Spirit, but thank you that you abide with me and have given me your grace by the Spirit.

Help me to live a life that honors you. Help me to set my mind on the Spirit so that I can have peace. I need your Spirit to remind me that the life lived according to the flesh is of no value, and the life lived submitted to the Spirit brings eternal joy and satisfaction.

Reflection

1. How has your life been different since you came to know Jesus? 
2. Are you daily striving to live life by the Spirit? What does it look like to live by the Spirit?
3. If you are a Christian, why aren’t you condemned? Why don’t you receive punishment for your sins?

Discussion Questions

1. What are some clear distinctions Paul makes between believers, those who walk by the Spirit, and unbelievers, those who walk in the flesh? 
2. Can the law save you? Why or why not?
3. What are some things we receive in Christ?