Living by the Spirit: Fulfillment of the Law

 

Summary

In our exploration of Romans 8:4, we delve into the profound truth that the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in those who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. This passage encapsulates the essence of the Christian life, emphasizing the transformative work of God through Jesus Christ. The law, weakened by the flesh, could not achieve what God accomplished by sending His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to condemn sin. This act opened the way for the righteousness of the law to be fulfilled in us, not by our own efforts, but through the Spirit's work within us.

Walking "after the Spirit" signifies a life governed by the Holy Spirit, contrasting with a life "after the flesh," which is characterized by human nature untouched by the Spirit. This distinction is crucial, as it defines the Christian's identity and way of life. The term "walk" refers to the general tenor of one's life, encompassing thoughts, desires, and actions. It is not merely about avoiding gross sins but about a fundamental shift in perspective and allegiance—from self-reliance and law-based righteousness to a Spirit-led life in Christ.

The passage challenges the notion of two types of Christians—carnal and spiritual—by asserting that all who are in Christ are led by the Spirit. This is not an optional second experience but the reality for every believer. The Spirit's indwelling is the evidence of our new life in Christ, ensuring that we are no longer under condemnation. This transformation is not just about forgiveness but about being made holy, as the Spirit works in us to fulfill the law's righteous requirements.

Key Takeaways:

- The Fulfillment of the Law: The righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us not by our own strength but through the Spirit's work. This fulfillment is a testament to God's grace, as He accomplishes what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not. Our role is to walk in the Spirit, allowing Him to guide and transform us. [01:56]

- Walking After the Spirit: To walk after the Spirit means living a life governed by the Holy Spirit, characterized by a new mindset and desires. It is a life of ongoing transformation, where the Spirit leads us away from the flesh's influence and towards holiness. This walk is the hallmark of every true believer. [22:47]

- Unity in Christ: There is no division between carnal and spiritual Christians; all who are in Christ are led by the Spirit. This unity underscores the comprehensive nature of salvation, where justification and sanctification are inseparable, and every believer is called to live by the Spirit. [28:05]

- Evidence of New Life: Genuine faith in Christ is evidenced by a transformed life. Intellectual assent is insufficient; true belief manifests in a life that reflects the Spirit's work. This transformation is both internal and observable, providing assurance of our standing in Christ. [47:23]

- Assurance of Salvation: The certainty of our salvation is rooted in the Spirit's ongoing work in us. We are not only forgiven but also empowered to live righteously. This assurance is a source of hope and motivation, as we trust in the Spirit's ability to complete the work He has begun in us. [44:46]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:14] - Introduction to Romans 8:4
[01:10] - Summary of Paul's Argument
[02:19] - The Role of the Law and Christ's Fulfillment
[03:28] - Walking After the Spirit
[05:09] - Understanding "Walk" in Scripture
[07:46] - The Meaning of "Flesh"
[10:26] - The Contrast Between Flesh and Spirit
[13:19] - Regeneration and New Life
[16:12] - The Misconception of Carnal Christians
[19:34] - The True Christian Life
[22:18] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[24:17] - Who Are Those Who Walk After the Spirit?
[28:20] - The Unity of All Christians
[33:24] - Assurance and Evidence of Salvation
[41:35] - The New Realm of the Spirit
[44:46] - The Certainty of Sanctification
[50:37] - Self-Examination and True Belief

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 8:3-4
- John 3:5-6
- Galatians 5:25

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Romans 8:4 mean when it says "the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us"? How does this relate to walking "not after the flesh, but after the Spirit"? [03:28]

2. In the sermon, how is the term "walk" described in relation to a Christian's life? What does it encompass? [05:09]

3. According to the sermon, what is the distinction between walking after the flesh and walking after the Spirit? [14:30]

4. How does the sermon explain the concept of "no condemnation" for those who are in Christ Jesus? [26:32]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon challenge the idea of two types of Christians—carnal and spiritual? What implications does this have for understanding Christian identity? [27:37]

2. What does it mean to be "led by the Spirit," and how does this relate to the assurance of salvation mentioned in the sermon? [44:46]

3. How does the sermon interpret the role of the Holy Spirit in fulfilling the law's righteous requirements in believers? [03:28]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that intellectual belief is insufficient for true faith in Christ? [47:23]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be relying on self-effort rather than the Spirit's guidance? How can you shift your focus to walking after the Spirit? [05:09]

2. The sermon emphasizes the unity of all Christians in being led by the Spirit. How can you foster a sense of unity and shared purpose within your small group or church community? [28:20]

3. Consider a time when you felt condemned or unworthy. How does the assurance of "no condemnation" in Christ change your perspective on that experience? [26:32]

4. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to live out the righteousness of the law. What practical steps can you take to invite the Holy Spirit's transformative work in that area? [03:28]

5. The sermon highlights the importance of evidence of new life in Christ. What are some tangible ways you can demonstrate the Spirit's work in your daily interactions with others? [47:23]

6. How can you ensure that your faith is not just intellectual but also transformative, affecting your actions and relationships? [49:03]

7. Think of a person in your life who may not understand the concept of walking after the Spirit. How can you explain this idea to them in a way that is relatable and encouraging? [30:59]

Devotional

Day 1: The Spirit's Fulfillment of the Law
The righteousness of the law is not something we can achieve through our own efforts. Instead, it is fulfilled in us through the work of the Holy Spirit. This fulfillment is a testament to God's grace, as He accomplishes what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not. Our role is to walk in the Spirit, allowing Him to guide and transform us. This means living a life that is not governed by our own desires or efforts but by the Spirit's leading. As we yield to the Spirit, we experience the transformative power of God in our lives, enabling us to live in a way that pleases Him. [01:56]

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on the Spirit's power rather than your own strength to fulfill God's righteousness?


Day 2: Living a Spirit-Governed Life
Walking after the Spirit means living a life governed by the Holy Spirit, characterized by a new mindset and desires. It is a life of ongoing transformation, where the Spirit leads us away from the flesh's influence and towards holiness. This walk is the hallmark of every true believer, signifying a fundamental shift in perspective and allegiance—from self-reliance and law-based righteousness to a Spirit-led life in Christ. As we walk in the Spirit, our thoughts, desires, and actions align more closely with God's will, reflecting His character in our daily lives. [22:47]

Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."

Reflection: Identify one specific area in your life where you struggle to walk by the Spirit. What practical steps can you take today to invite the Holy Spirit's guidance in that area?


Day 3: Unity in the Spirit
There is no division between carnal and spiritual Christians; all who are in Christ are led by the Spirit. This unity underscores the comprehensive nature of salvation, where justification and sanctification are inseparable, and every believer is called to live by the Spirit. The Spirit's indwelling is the evidence of our new life in Christ, ensuring that we are no longer under condemnation. This transformation is not just about forgiveness but about being made holy, as the Spirit works in us to fulfill the law's righteous requirements. [28:05]

1 Corinthians 12:13 (ESV): "For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit."

Reflection: How can you foster a sense of unity and shared purpose with other believers in your community, recognizing that you are all led by the same Spirit?


Day 4: Evidence of a Transformed Life
Genuine faith in Christ is evidenced by a transformed life. Intellectual assent is insufficient; true belief manifests in a life that reflects the Spirit's work. This transformation is both internal and observable, providing assurance of our standing in Christ. As the Spirit works within us, our lives begin to bear the fruit of the Spirit, demonstrating love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This transformation is a powerful testimony to the reality of Christ's presence in our lives. [47:23]

James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Reflection: Reflect on the fruit of the Spirit in your life. Which fruit is most evident, and which one do you need to cultivate more intentionally?


Day 5: Assurance of Salvation
The certainty of our salvation is rooted in the Spirit's ongoing work in us. We are not only forgiven but also empowered to live righteously. This assurance is a source of hope and motivation, as we trust in the Spirit's ability to complete the work He has begun in us. As we grow in our relationship with Christ, we can have confidence in our salvation, knowing that the Spirit is continually transforming us into the image of Christ. This assurance encourages us to persevere in faith, even in the face of challenges and trials. [44:46]

Philippians 1:6 (ESV): "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Reflection: How does the assurance of your salvation influence your daily life and decisions? What steps can you take to deepen your trust in the Spirit's work in you?

Quotes



The point is that God he tells us has done something that the law could not do even the law could not do it because it was weak through the Flesh and what it has done of course is this it has made it possible for the righteousness of the law to be fulfilled in us. [00:01:38]

The righteousness of the law can be fulfilled in those who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit what does this mean well let's approach it like this let's take first of all the description I'm going to ask the question who are these people well well before we can deal with that let's observe what the Apostle says about them. [00:04:41]

It is a word that is used in the New Testament to describe the general tenor of a man's life the way in which we live in general in other words it it tells us something about what it is that uh governs and regulates a man's life both in his thought and in his practice. [00:05:31]

The righteousness of the law is to be fulfilled in the is who walk you see it describes the general tenor of the whole of their life who walk not after the flesh now here's our second word the word flesh we've met this word already in dealing with this epistle to the Romans. [00:10:26]

The best way perhaps of describing this use of the word flesh is that it is always used as a contrast with life in the spirit so it is man's human nature man's life apart from outside the influences and the work of the holy spirit of God now then that is clearly I said it's meaning here. [00:14:00]

To walk after the flesh means that you view yourself and your relationship to God in a manner that is entirely opposed to God's way of Salvation in Jesus Christ through the holy spirit that you're like the Jew who thinks he is right with God because he's a Jew because he's been circumcised. [00:19:36]

The righteousness of the law is to be fulfilled in people of whom that is true they no longer walk after the flesh but they walk after the spirit who are they now there are two main ideas as I've said about this the one school which is very popular and well known is one that says that this only applies to certain Christian people. [00:24:17]

He is talking about the people of whom it is true to say that there is no longer any condemnation for them that's who he's talking about he's told us that these are the people in verse one there is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus who are they they are the people whom the Lord the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made free. [00:26:20]

There is no indication whatsoever here that the Apostle recognizes two types of Christians he's talking the whole time about the same people he doesn't say no there are some Christians who remain but it is possible no no he is making a statement about all who are in Christ Jesus and every Christian is in Christ Jesus. [00:27:32]

The Christian is one who is in an entirely new realm he is no longer in the realm of sin and law and death he is no longer governed by sin and led by sin in the flesh what is his position he is now alive unto God he is in Christ in the realm and the rule of Grace. [00:41:35]

The holy spirit is in every Christian the Holy Spirit Works in every Christian that is why it is true to say of every Christian that he walks after the spirit and not after the flesh very well let me ask one question before I let you go why did the Apostle add this description. [00:42:44]

The man who is no longer under condemnation the man who is in Christ the man who has been set free from the law of sin and death by the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus is a man who has got evidence in himself that he's a new man and if you haven't got it I don't give a faring for your supposed belief. [00:47:23]

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