The Holy Spirit is Essential to a Holy Life - Romans 8:1-30 - October 26, 2008

Sunday School Lesson – The Holy Spirit is Essential to a Holy Life – October 26, 2008

This is lesson four (4) in our study.

Our scripture is Romans 8:1-30.

In our last study Paul revealed the internal struggle he had with sin before GOD revealed to him the role of GOD’S law and the power of the indwelling CHRIST. The flesh wars against the born-again Spirit. Believers aid and abet this war because they cling to the flesh nature and want to control their own destiny. Believers must die to self and allow CHRIST to rule in their hearts before they can comprehend and perceive the power of the HOLY SPIRIT in their lives. The HOLY SPIRIT is fully in believers life the instant they receive CHRIST as SAVIOR but we squelch the power of the HOLY SPIRIT by allowing the flesh mind-set to rule.

CHRIST’S shed blood makes all humans eligible to receive CHRIST because CHRIST’S shed blood paid the price for sin and opened the pathway to GOD through CHRIST. CHRIST broke the barrier of sin. Each person has to make a decision whether or not to receive CHRIST as his or her SAVIOR. When people make the decision to ask CHRIST to forgive them their sin and to come into their lives, HE does. Believers experience the miracle of rebirth in their spirit.

This ushers in a flood of gifts, promises and the HOLY SPIRIT. All believers still have a decision to make. Who rules their lives, their old nature or their new nature in CHRIST? When the old nature rules, we refer to those Christians as carnal Christians. When CHRIST rules their lives, we refer to them as Spirit-filled Christians.

The question is once believers are Spirit-filled, are they always Spirit-filled? That is a yes and no answer. A Christian never loses the HOLY SPIRIT, however, a Christian can allow his or her flesh nature to take over and rule his or her Spirit nature. What is the solution? To me, at this point in my journey, it is all about building and maintaining the relationship with CHRIST on a daily basis. It is getting to know CHRIST as an intimate best friend. Confide in HIM all your secrets, disappointments, questions, doubts, fears, joys, praises, hopes, dreams, aspirations, desires and the list goes on.

It is all about the will which emanates from the mind. Before a person becomes a Christian, the mind set is to follow the dictates of the flesh. When a person begins to consider becoming a Christian, the flesh mind often introduces many barriers and questions for him or her not becoming a Christian. Of course, Satan enters the battle. Satan does not want a person to become a Christian and fights through the flesh mind, without revealing himself.

Once a person becomes a Christian then Satan becomes his or her enemy and the real war begins. Satan wants the Christian to maintain the flesh mind-set. Many Christians remain in the flesh mind-set stage or carnal Christian stage. This is where the Christian wants to do things his or her way rather than being led by the HOLY SPIRIT. This is when church members want to split and feelings are hurt because Christians allow the flesh mind-set to rule. Christians have not died to self and self rules. Does this mean that Christians need to remain in a church where they are not being fed spiritually? No, not unless the HOLY SPIRIT leads him or her to remain for a purpose or a calling to minister.

Satan does not want a Christian to be led by the HOLY SPIRIT but GOD does; thus the war within. The war within is the process of sanctification. It is the process of the HOLY SPIRIT renewing the flesh mind-set to develop the Spirit mind-set. Paul reveals this concept in Romans 12:2:

2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

What is your mind-set? Is it a flesh mind-set or a Spirit mind-set? What mind-set do you want? That requires a decision. Talk to the LORD now and tell HIM you want the Spirit mind-set and ask HIM to help you create the Spirit mind-set. Ask HIM to reveal to you anything that is a hindrance or barrier to you developing the Spirit mind-set. Get ready for an awesome journey.

In our study today, Paul describes two (2) people, one without CHRIST and one with CHRIST. Paul considers the person with CHRIST to be led by the HOLY SPIRIT because he or she has the mind-set of the Spirit and the person without CHRIST, to be led by the flesh.

Those without CHRIST have a hierarchy lifestyle which relates to the trinity of humans – body, soul and spirit. The trinity of humans can manifest certain mind-sets depending on who rules, the body or flesh, soul or the spirit. When the body or flesh rules that person seeks all the desires of the flesh whatever they are. Whatever pleases his or her flesh is important to him or her. When the soul rules that person uses some constraint but can flip between the desires of the flesh and controlling the flesh. When the spirit rules a person’s life, keep in mind this is the non-Christian, his or her mind-set is toward living a life with high moral standards, tries to be honest but lives in his or her strength. They are all without CHRIST.

As mentioned earlier, Paul had in mind two (2) mind-sets, those without CHRIST and those with CHRIST. I am introducing a third mind-set. The person who has CHRIST but his or her mind-set is toward the flesh mind-set. The mind-set of the carnal Christian is a sliding scale and can slide from leaning toward the flesh to the more Spiritual. The position of the scale depends upon our determination, strength and will. Is a believer willing to let go of the things of the flesh to serve GOD? Sanctification is the process of allowing GOD, through the HOLY SPIRIT to move the scale to the Spirit mind-set.

I personally want my scale to be fully Spiritual but I still struggle because my nature is to get ahead of GOD rather than waiting upon HIM. That is only one nature among many that need to be brought under HIS control and authority in my life.
I saw a bumper sticker on a car years ago that stated “I am a Christian still under construction.” All Christians are still under construction through the daily renewing of their minds by the HOLY SPIRIT. Refer back to Romans 12:2.

Let’s read Romans 8:1-9:

The Life-Giving Spirit
1 Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus,[1] Other mss add who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit 2 because the Spirit’s law of life in Christ Jesus has set you[2] Other mss read me free from the law of sin and of death. 3 What the law could not do since it was limited[3] Or weak by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own Son in flesh like ours under sin’s domain,[4] Lit in the likeness of sinful flesh and as a sin offering,[5] Lv 5:6–7,11; 14:31; Isaiah 53:10 4 in order that the law’s requirement would be accomplished in us who do not • walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those whose lives are[6] Or those who are according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh, but those whose lives are[7] Or those who are according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to God’s law, for it is unable to do so. 8 Those whose lives are[8] Or Those who are in the flesh are unable to please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since[9] Or provided that the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

When believers try to live by the law, they are slaves to the law. That is why he or she must, in essence, die to self and be resurrected with CHRIST to be free from the law and the consequences of the law. The consequences of the law are sin and death and will enslave a person. The death and resurrection of CHRIST frees a believer from being a slave to the law to be free to serve GOD and do HIS will through forgiveness and grace. The believer then becomes a servant of the Master and not a servant of the law.

GOD placed all sin upon CHRIST. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:21:

21 For He (GOD) made Him (JESUS) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Righteousness means in right-standing. Those who believe in CHRIST are justified because CHRIST has made them righteous. Therefore a believer can approach GOD boldly and with confidence as HIS child.

Paul introduced the nature of the person without CHRIST contrasted with the person with CHRIST. It is all about the mind-set. A person either has CHRIST or he or she does not have CHRIST. CHRIST in us is what makes us a Christian and not the church we may attend.

JESUS said in John 5:24:

24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.
CHRIST through HIS death and resurrection has set all believers free from sin and spiritual death. In our last study, Paul emphasized that once he became aware of the law, that awareness almost killed him. He knew what he should do but he could not do it. However, once a person becomes a believer in CHRIST, CHRIST sets him or her free from the bondage of the law and he or she is now under grace.

This freedom was only accomplished because CHRIST came to earth as a human, lived as a human, was subject to all the temptations of a human and subject to death as a human. CHRIST lived and died as a sinless human, therefore, fulfilling all the requirements of the law and commandments of the law. This is GOD’S law and not man’s additions to the law. CHRIST lived fulfilling both the letter and spirit of the law.

When CHRIST died on the cross because HE had fulfilled the law and the power of the law died with HIM and was buried with HIM. As proof that CHRIST fulfilled the law and satisfied all the requirements of the law, GOD resurrected CHRIST from the dead as the first fruits of those who believe in HIM. When CHRIST died, in essence, every believer died with HIM and when HE was resurrected, in essence, every believer was resurrected with HIM. Since HIS death fulfilled the law, believers also died to the law and were resurrected to walk according to the Spirit. CHRIST fulfilling the law in HIS human body and dying physically paid the debt for sin. This made it possible for all believers to receive the Spirit of GOD in their hearts. This made it possible for GOD to indwell the human bodies of all believers. GOD’S Spirit unites with the human spirit to produce a born-again Spirit and allows the HOLY SPIRIT to indwell the believer. Therefore where ever a believer places his or her feet is Holy ground because the presence of GOD is in him or her. That is an awesome thought!
This equips every believer with the opportunity to live and walk as led by the Spirit. However, even though a believer is Spiritually equipped, he or she still lives in the body of flesh with the mind of the flesh. The flesh still wants to rule the body. After all, it has protected the body for all these years. It is natural. So an internal war breaks out.

Victory comes when believers realize that they have the power of the HOLY SPIRIT living within. Every believer received the HOLY SPIRIT the instant he or she asked CHRIST to come into his or her life and HE will never leave.

Paul made it clear to the Christians he was writing to in Rome that they had the mind-set of the Spirit because they had CHRIST.

Let’s read Romans 8:10-13:

10 Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead[10] Or the body will die because of sin, but the Spirit[11] Or spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through[12] Other mss read because of His Spirit who lives in you.

The Holy Spirit’s Ministries
12 So then, brothers, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, 13 for if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Paul is saying if you have CHRIST, you are living through the power of the Spirit because, in essence, your flesh body is dead. Since the flesh body is dead, a believer is dead to the dictates of the flesh. A believer’s existence depends solely upon GOD. If a believer continues to have the flesh mind-set he or she will live a defeated Christian life but if he or she lives according to the Spirit, he or she will have the mind-set of the Spirit and live the victorious Christian life.

My understanding is when a believer is completely yielded to the presence of GOD, through the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT and has a Spirit mind-set; he or she is as much in heaven as upon earth. It is no longer him or her but GOD being manifested to the world through him or her. Just as JESUS did when HE lived upon earth.

The only way this would be possible is to truly die to self.

Let’s read Romans 8:14-17:

14 All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “• Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—seeing that[13] Or provided that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

The HOLY SPIRIT confirms in the heart of every believer that he or she is a child of GOD. Notice that Paul refers to the HOLY SPIRIT as a person “Himself.” The HOLY SPIRIT is the person of GOD.

Paul tells all believers that they can approach GOD as FATHER because GOD has adopted them as HIS children. A believer has been adopted into the family of GOD the instant he or she accepts CHRIST as his or her SAVIOR or he or she has been born into GOD’S family though the miracle of rebirth. Either way believers are GOD’S children and have all the rights, privileges and promises of GOD. What a heritage! However just as believers inherit all the rights, etc. they also become the enemy of those who oppose GOD.

Let’s read Romans 8:18-30:

From Groans to Glory

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it—in the hope 21 that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of corruption into the glorious freedom of God’s children. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. 23 And not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the • firstfruits[14] Nm 15:17–21; 1 Co 16:15 —we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 Now in this hope we were saved, yet hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience. 26 In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us[15] Some mss omit for us with unspoken groanings. 27 And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit’s mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 We know that all things work together[16] Other mss read that God works together in all things for the good[17] The ultimate good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those He foreknew[18] From eternity God knew His people and entered into a personal relationship with them He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified.

Verse 19 has always intrigued me. Paul tells us that all creation anxiously waits for the fully redemption of GOD’S children because creation also suffered death and decay because of sin. I used to walk in the woods and speak out loud, when I thought no one was around, and tell all of nature that I was a believer and that CHRIST is coming soon to redeem it. I am sure if anyone was close around and could hear me, he or she concluded there was a nut wandering in the woods. But all of nature waits and longs for the moment it too will be redeemed from death and decay.

Just as nature eagerly awaits redemption believers also long for their bodies to be redeemed from death and decay. Our bodies will be redeemed at the second coming of CHRIST. This is when believers will receive their glorified bodies. Their glorified bodies will be just like CHRIST’S glorified body after HIS resurrection.

Paul told the Christians in Rome that the HOLY SPIRIT will aid believers when they pray. Often when believers pray they do not know exactly how to pray or what to ask for. We can ask the HOLY SPIRIT to pray for us. The HOLY SPIRIT knows the heart, mind, plan and purpose of GOD and will pray exactly according to HIS will.

Verse 28 tells us that GOD is in all things bringing about the best for HIS children. Christians make some big mistakes and are accountable for those mistakes and will have to suffer the consequences of their mistakes. When believers break the law, whether it is man’s law or GOD’S, there are consequences. GOD is at work to bring about the best outcome.

Verses 29 and 30 speak of believers being predestined by GOD to serve HIM.

Ephesians 1:4 tells us that even before GOD created the world, HE knew us.

Ephesians 1:4:

4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

GOD chose us before HE created the world. HE had a plan for each believer and has called each believer to carry out HIS plan. HE has equipped believers to accomplish HIS plan and purpose because HE has justified them and made them righteous.

We need to keep in mind that the foreknowledge of GOD does not override a person’s right to choose. Foreknowledge does allow GOD to know how a person will choose. Then GOD can orchestrate HIS plans and purpose accordingly. Think about it, you were no accident but are here for a purpose. Let the HOLY SPIRIT rule and guide your life to GOD’S glory.