Living in the Freedom of the Spirit

 

Summary

In our journey through Romans 8, we explore the profound reality of the spiritual world and its implications for our lives. The visible world often seduces us, drawing our focus away from the spiritual truths that are foundational to our existence. Paul speaks of the "law of sin and death," a regularity that binds us to a cycle of sin leading to death. However, through Christ, we are set free from this law, entering into the "law of the Spirit of life." This new law is a regularity of life and freedom, accessible through faith and the Spirit.

Paul's struggle with covetousness, as described in Romans 7, highlights the limitations of the flesh. The flesh, or our natural abilities, is not inherently bad but becomes problematic when it is out of place, attempting to fulfill what only the Spirit can. The law, weakened by the flesh, could not bring about righteousness. Instead, God sent His Son to fulfill the law's requirements, enabling us to walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Living according to the Spirit involves setting our minds on spiritual realities rather than the visible, temporal world. Faith acts as a perception of the invisible, allowing us to engage with the spiritual world as the true reality. This understanding challenges us to live as spiritual beings, drawing our life, direction, and sustenance from the spiritual realm. Our consciousness, though connected to our physical bodies, is rooted in the spiritual, emphasizing our identity as spiritual beings having a human experience.

The spiritual world is the real world, and our lives should reflect this truth. As spiritual beings, we are called to live beyond the fear of death, assured of our continuous existence with God. This perspective transforms our understanding of life and death, encouraging us to live in the power of the Spirit, fulfilling our purpose in God's kingdom.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Law of the Spirit of Life: Through Christ, we are liberated from the law of sin and death, entering into a new regularity of life in the Spirit. This freedom is not about adhering to external laws but living in the Spirit's power, which fulfills the law's requirements in us. [00:52]

2. The Limitations of the Flesh: Our natural abilities, or the flesh, are limited and cannot achieve righteousness on their own. It is only through the Spirit that we can overcome the flesh's limitations and live a life pleasing to God. [04:10]

3. Faith as Perception: Faith is a kind of perception that makes the spiritual world present to us. It is not merely belief but an awareness and engagement with the unseen realities that shape our lives. [09:18]

4. Living as Spiritual Beings: Our true identity is as spiritual beings having a human experience. This understanding calls us to live in the power of the Spirit, drawing our life and sustenance from the spiritual realm. [38:17]

5. Overcoming the Fear of Death: As followers of Christ, we are assured of continuous life with God, even beyond physical death. This assurance frees us from the fear of death, allowing us to live boldly in the Spirit. [43:50]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:28] - The Reality of the Spirit
- [00:52] - Freedom from Sin and Death
- [01:31] - Paul's Struggle with Covetousness
- [03:31] - The Role of the Flesh
- [04:32] - Walking in the Spirit
- [06:24] - The Law of the Spirit
- [07:03] - Visible vs. Invisible
- [09:18] - Faith as Perception
- [11:14] - The Spiritual Battle
- [14:52] - Spiritual Life and the Body
- [19:03] - The Challenge of Hebrews
- [23:29] - The Reality of God's Kingdom
- [30:47] - Understanding Spirit and Matter
- [38:17] - Spiritual Beings and Human Experience
- [43:50] - Assurance Beyond Death

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 8:1-2
2. Romans 7:18-25
3. 2 Corinthians 4:18

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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean by the "law of sin and death" in Romans 8:2, and how does it contrast with the "law of the Spirit of life"? [00:52]
2. How does Paul describe his struggle with covetousness in Romans 7, and what does this reveal about the limitations of the flesh? [01:31]
3. According to the sermon, what role does faith play in perceiving the spiritual world? [09:18]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between the visible and invisible worlds? [07:03]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. In what ways does the "law of the Spirit of life" provide freedom from the "law of sin and death"? How does this freedom manifest in a believer's life? [06:24]
2. How does Paul's struggle with covetousness illustrate the limitations of relying on the flesh for righteousness? What does this teach about the necessity of the Spirit? [03:31]
3. How does the concept of faith as a perception of the invisible world challenge or affirm your current understanding of faith? [09:18]
4. What implications does living as a spiritual being have on one's daily life and decisions, according to the sermon? [38:17]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt bound by the "law of sin and death." How did you experience liberation through the "law of the Spirit of life"? [00:52]
2. Identify an area in your life where you rely heavily on your natural abilities. How can you invite the Spirit to work in that area instead? [04:10]
3. How can you cultivate a mindset that focuses on spiritual realities rather than the visible, temporal world? What practical steps can you take this week? [07:03]
4. Consider your understanding of faith. How can you deepen your perception of the spiritual world in your daily walk with God? [09:18]
5. How does the assurance of continuous life with God beyond physical death impact your perspective on current fears or challenges? [43:50]
6. In what ways can you live more boldly in the Spirit, fulfilling your purpose in God's kingdom? Identify one specific action you can take this week. [38:17]
7. Think of a situation where fear of death or loss has held you back. How can the assurance of life with God help you overcome this fear? [43:50]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined:

Day 1: Living in the Spirit's Freedom
Description: Through Christ, believers are liberated from the binding "law of sin and death" and are invited into the "law of the Spirit of life." This new law is not about adhering to external regulations but about living in the Spirit's power, which fulfills the law's requirements within us. This freedom is a profound shift from a life constrained by sin to one that is empowered by the Spirit, allowing us to experience true life and freedom. The Spirit's presence in our lives transforms our understanding of obedience, making it a joyful response to God's love rather than a burdensome duty. [00:52]

Romans 8:2-4 (ESV): "For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 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, 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."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel bound by old patterns or habits? How can you invite the Spirit to bring freedom and transformation in those areas today?


Day 2: Overcoming the Flesh's Limitations
Description: The flesh, representing our natural abilities, is limited and cannot achieve righteousness on its own. Paul highlights this struggle, emphasizing that the flesh becomes problematic when it tries to fulfill what only the Spirit can accomplish. The law, weakened by the flesh, could not bring about righteousness, but through the Spirit, believers can overcome these limitations. This understanding calls us to rely not on our strength but on the Spirit's power to live a life pleasing to God. [04:10]

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 a specific area where you have been relying on your strength. How can you intentionally depend on the Spirit's power in this area today?


Day 3: Faith as Spiritual Perception
Description: Faith is more than mere belief; it is a perception that makes the spiritual world present to us. This perception allows believers to engage with unseen realities that shape their lives. By setting our minds on spiritual truths rather than the visible, temporal world, we align ourselves with the true reality of the spiritual realm. This understanding challenges us to live as spiritual beings, drawing life and direction from the spiritual world. [09:18]

Hebrews 11:1-3 (ESV): "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible."

Reflection: What unseen spiritual reality do you need to focus on today? How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of this reality in your daily life?


Day 4: Embracing Our Spiritual Identity
Description: Our true identity is as spiritual beings having a human experience. This understanding calls us to live in the power of the Spirit, drawing our life and sustenance from the spiritual realm. By recognizing our spiritual nature, we are encouraged to live beyond the limitations of the physical world, embracing our identity as children of God. This perspective transforms how we view our purpose and existence, aligning us with God's kingdom and His eternal plans. [38:17]

Colossians 3:1-3 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Reflection: How does your understanding of your spiritual identity influence your daily decisions and actions? What changes can you make to live more fully as a spiritual being?


Day 5: Living Beyond the Fear of Death
Description: As followers of Christ, believers are assured of continuous life with God, even beyond physical death. This assurance frees them from the fear of death, allowing them to live boldly in the Spirit. By embracing this truth, believers can approach life with confidence and courage, knowing that their existence with God is eternal. This perspective not only transforms their understanding of life and death but also empowers them to fulfill their purpose in God's kingdom without fear. [43:50]

1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (ESV): "When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.' 'O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Reflection: How does the assurance of eternal life with God change your perspective on current challenges or fears? What steps can you take to live more boldly in the Spirit today?

Quotes



The law of sin and death is the regularity of sin bringing death. That's the law sin and death, the law that is in my members chapter 7, the law that is that's the regularity that is in my members and so now he has found himself incapable of doing anything other than what the law that is in his members says. [00:01:09]

Living in terms of the flesh is to have your mind set on those things and we're back to the two landscapes here now okay the visible landscape and the invisible one. It isn't a perfectly accurate way of drawing the line because for example subatomic particles will turn out to be invisible but they at least are components of what is visible. [00:07:17]

Faith is a kind of perception. It's the ability to make the spiritual world present to yourself in a perceptual manner and I know that's challenging but if you read the great theologians of the past nearly all of them you'll come to something like this. One of the most helpful things I think that Wesley did was to bring a new understanding of faith where it is a kind of perception of reality. [00:09:12]

The mind set on the flesh is death, the mind set on the spirit is life and peace. The mind set on the flesh is hostile to God because it does not subject itself to the law of God, it is not even able to do so, so those who are in the flesh cannot please God. [00:14:01]

What is it to be a spiritual person? What is a Christian a spiritual person? Well it is when their life, what actually transpired in the course of their life, is dependent upon the spiritual Kingdom person, the Trinity, believed the Word of God which as we saw already the words that I speak to you, their spirit they are lying. [00:15:23]

A spiritual person is one whose initiation, direction, and sustenance is from the spiritual world. Yes sir, yes yes it is, that's right. Say that again, I wanted to make sure I got that about why is this I'm being tempted. Let me respond to it briefly and then you can come back and be way over me later. [00:17:34]

The spiritual world is the real world and you are a spiritual being that can choose to follow Jesus and learn to live in that world now and you can live beyond fear of death because of your assurance from your life with him. But I'm trying to help your imagination a little bit just by talking about what it might be like. [00:48:25]

When you walk around, walk down the street, you don't see that but when Christ who is our life shall appear then you will also appear with him. How glorious is that? Something like that, of course, lit up by the life from above that is flowing through us. It's not lit up, then you get the horror part. [00:39:31]

The body is fundamentally potential energy. Isn't it true that that's just physics? Body is potential energy, it is available. My body is available to me that I may act. I cannot act without my body. I can even act in defiance of God but my body is my personalized little power pack. [00:40:49]

The follower of Christ is delivered from the fear of death just because they know that their life will be continuous and when their body ceases to function they will continue to exist and have a life with God. Paul says to be absent from the body is present with the Lord. [00:43:50]

We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having a human experience. Now shut-in you have to be careful with him but what he's expressing here is important. Bruce I would indeed insist upon it. Yeah, you want to say something about that? [00:38:17]

The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, what's that? We'll remember a law is a regularity, it's a regular order and Paul is using that sense of law in addition to the sense of law. Some of your translations will capitalize law when it's referring to the Mosaic law so it's regular in others that there is a regularity in Christ Jesus that defeats the law of sin and death. [00:06:15]

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Transcript
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