Living in the Newness of the Spirit

 

Summary

In our exploration of Romans 7:6, we delve into the profound transformation that occurs when one becomes a Christian. This verse encapsulates the essence of the Christian Gospel and the Christian position, highlighting the transition from being under the law to living in the newness of the Spirit. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that this change is not gradual but complete and absolute. We were once bound by the law, which, instead of liberating us from sin, exacerbated it. However, through the death and resurrection of Christ, we are delivered from the law's condemnation and its inability to justify or sanctify us.

This deliverance is not exclusive to a select few but is true for all Christians. It signifies a complete discharge from the law, akin to a soldier being discharged from the army, free from the authority of a tyrannizing sergeant major. This freedom allows us to serve in the newness of the Spirit, not in the oldness of the letter. The Christian life is characterized by a newness that is starkly different from the old life under the law. It is a life lived in the Spirit, marked by a transformation that affects our entire being—our mind, affections, and will.

The purpose of this transformation is our sanctification, to make us holy and blameless before God. This is the grand object of salvation, and it stands in stark contrast to antinomianism, which neglects the practical outworking of doctrine in one's life. The Christian life is not merely about correct doctrine but about living out that doctrine in holiness and obedience to God. This new life in the Spirit is a complete contrast to the old life under the law, offering true freedom and the ability to bear fruit unto God.

Key Takeaways:

1. Complete Transformation: Becoming a Christian is not a gradual process but a complete transformation. We move from being under the law to living in the Spirit, signifying a total change in our spiritual status and identity. This transformation is available to all who are in Christ, marking a definitive break from the past. [06:40]

2. Freedom from the Law: Through Christ's death and resurrection, we are delivered from the law's condemnation and its inability to justify or sanctify us. This freedom allows us to live a life that is pleasing to God, free from the law's aggravating effect on our sinful nature. [13:03]

3. Purpose of Salvation: The ultimate purpose of salvation is our sanctification. God’s work in us through Christ and the Holy Spirit aims to make us holy and blameless, emphasizing that salvation is not just about forgiveness but about living a holy life. [20:00]

4. Life in the Spirit: The Christian life is characterized by living in the Spirit, not under the law. This new life is marked by a transformation that affects our entire being, enabling us to serve God in a way that was impossible under the law. [37:38]

5. Contrast with Antinomianism: True Christian doctrine leads to a life of holiness and obedience. Antinomianism, which neglects the practical outworking of doctrine, is a denial of the true purpose of salvation. The Christian life is about living out the doctrine in holiness. [23:05]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to Romans 7:6
- [01:23] - Negative and Positive Aspects of the Law
- [02:26] - The Essence of the Christian Gospel
- [03:58] - The Significance of "But Now"
- [05:38] - The Complete Change in Becoming a Christian
- [07:12] - True for All Christians
- [09:00] - Delivered from the Law
- [11:44] - Understanding Our Deliverance
- [13:44] - Freedom from the Law's Aggravation
- [19:08] - Purpose of Our Deliverance
- [20:39] - The Grand Object of Salvation
- [23:37] - The Role of the Law and Morality
- [25:26] - Serving in Newness of Spirit
- [30:07] - The Old and the New
- [37:08] - Life in the Spirit
- [46:22] - Rejoicing in Our New Life

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 7:6
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- John 3:3

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Romans 7:6 say about our relationship with the law and how it changes when we become Christians? [00:13]

2. How does the sermon describe the effect of the law on our sinful nature before we are delivered from it? [01:55]

3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the phrase "but now" in Romans 7:6? [04:16]

4. What analogy does the sermon use to describe our freedom from the law, and how does it illustrate our new status in Christ? [09:51]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon explain the concept of "complete transformation" in the life of a Christian, and why is it important to understand this change as absolute rather than gradual? [06:24]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that living in the Spirit contrasts with living under the law, and how does this affect our daily lives as Christians? [37:38]

3. The sermon mentions antinomianism as a denial of the true purpose of salvation. How does this concept challenge the way we view the relationship between doctrine and practice? [23:05]

4. How does the sermon interpret the purpose of salvation as being more than just forgiveness, and what implications does this have for our understanding of sanctification? [20:00]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Can you identify a "but now" moment in your life where you experienced a significant transformation in your faith? How did it change your perspective or actions? [04:16]

2. The sermon emphasizes freedom from the law's condemnation. How does this freedom impact your approach to sin and temptation in your daily life? [13:03]

3. Consider the idea of serving in the "newness of the Spirit." What practical steps can you take this week to live more fully in the Spirit rather than under the old ways of the law? [37:38]

4. The sermon warns against antinomianism. How can you ensure that your understanding of doctrine is reflected in your daily actions and decisions? [23:05]

5. The purpose of salvation is described as leading to sanctification. What specific areas of your life do you feel God is calling you to grow in holiness, and how can you pursue that growth? [20:00]

6. Think about a time when you felt bound by rules or expectations. How does the freedom described in Romans 7:6 encourage you to live differently? [09:51]

7. How can you cultivate a mindset that embraces the "new creation" identity described in 2 Corinthians 5:17, and what changes might this bring to your relationships and responsibilities?

Devotional

Day 1: Complete Transformation in Christ
The transformation that occurs when one becomes a Christian is not a gradual process but a complete and absolute change. This shift is from being under the law to living in the Spirit, marking a definitive break from the past. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that this transformation is available to all who are in Christ, signifying a total change in spiritual status and identity. This new life in the Spirit is characterized by a profound change in our entire being—our mind, affections, and will. It is a life that is starkly different from the old life under the law, offering true freedom and the ability to bear fruit unto God. [06:40]

Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Reflection: What specific areas of your life reflect the old self, and how can you actively embrace the new self in Christ today?


Day 2: Freedom from the Law
Through the death and resurrection of Christ, Christians are delivered from the law's condemnation and its inability to justify or sanctify. This freedom allows believers to live a life that is pleasing to God, free from the law's aggravating effect on their sinful nature. The law, instead of liberating from sin, exacerbated it, but in Christ, there is deliverance from this bondage. This deliverance is akin to a soldier being discharged from the army, free from the authority of a tyrannizing sergeant major, allowing Christians to serve in the newness of the Spirit. [13:03]

Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced freedom from the law's condemnation, and how can you stand firm in this freedom today?


Day 3: Purpose of Salvation
The ultimate purpose of salvation is sanctification, to make believers holy and blameless before God. This is the grand object of salvation, emphasizing that it is not just about forgiveness but about living a holy life. God's work in believers through Christ and the Holy Spirit aims to transform them into His likeness, highlighting the importance of living out doctrine in holiness and obedience to God. This stands in stark contrast to antinomianism, which neglects the practical outworking of doctrine in one's life. [20:00]

1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 (ESV): "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to pursue sanctification in a specific area of your life?


Day 4: Life in the Spirit
The Christian life is characterized by living in the Spirit, not under the law. This new life is marked by a transformation that affects the entire being, enabling believers to serve God in a way that was impossible under the law. The Spirit empowers Christians to live a life of holiness and obedience, contrasting the old life under the law with the new life in the Spirit. This transformation is not just about correct doctrine but about living out that doctrine in practical ways that honor God. [37:38]

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (ESV): "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to transform a specific area of your life today?


Day 5: Contrast with Antinomianism
True Christian doctrine leads to a life of holiness and obedience, contrasting sharply with antinomianism, which neglects the practical outworking of doctrine. The Christian life is about living out the doctrine in holiness, emphasizing that salvation is not merely about correct beliefs but about a transformed life that bears fruit unto God. This transformation is a complete contrast to the old life under the law, offering true freedom and the ability to serve God in newness of spirit. [23:05]

James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."

Reflection: In what ways can you move from being a hearer to a doer of the Word in your daily life?

Quotes


The Apostle Paul emphasizes that this change is not gradual but complete and absolute. We were once bound by the law, which, instead of liberating us from sin, exacerbated it. However, through the death and resurrection of Christ, we are delivered from the law's condemnation and its inability to justify or sanctify us. [00:12:00]

This deliverance is not exclusive to a select few but is true for all Christians. It signifies a complete discharge from the law, akin to a soldier being discharged from the army, free from the authority of a tyrannizing sergeant major. This freedom allows us to serve in the newness of the Spirit, not in the oldness of the letter. [00:20:00]

The purpose of this transformation is our sanctification, to make us holy and blameless before God. This is the grand object of salvation, and it stands in stark contrast to antinomianism, which neglects the practical outworking of doctrine in one's life. The Christian life is not merely about correct doctrine but about living out that doctrine in holiness and obedience to God. [00:23:05]

The Christian life is characterized by a newness that is starkly different from the old life under the law. It is a life lived in the Spirit, marked by a transformation that affects our entire being—our mind, affections, and will. [00:37:38]

Becoming a Christian is not a gradual process but a complete transformation. We move from being under the law to living in the Spirit, signifying a total change in our spiritual status and identity. This transformation is available to all who are in Christ, marking a definitive break from the past. [00:06:40]

Through Christ's death and resurrection, we are delivered from the law's condemnation and its inability to justify or sanctify us. This freedom allows us to live a life that is pleasing to God, free from the law's aggravating effect on our sinful nature. [00:13:03]

The ultimate purpose of salvation is our sanctification. God’s work in us through Christ and the Holy Spirit aims to make us holy and blameless, emphasizing that salvation is not just about forgiveness but about living a holy life. [00:20:00]

True Christian doctrine leads to a life of holiness and obedience. Antinomianism, which neglects the practical outworking of doctrine, is a denial of the true purpose of salvation. The Christian life is about living out the doctrine in holiness. [00:23:05]

The Christian life is characterized by living in the Spirit, not under the law. This new life is marked by a transformation that affects our entire being, enabling us to serve God in a way that was impossible under the law. [00:37:38]

The Christian Life is Life in the spirit. I've already quoted you the second verse of the next chapter, the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death that every Christian and if everything he does is done in the spirit. [00:41:22]

The Christian life is a complete contrast to the old and regenerate life at its very best. It is the difference between the new, the old, between life in the spirit of God, and life under and dominated by the law. Thank God that we can say but now we are no longer what we were. [00:45:38]

We have been delivered from the law, having died to that which terrorized over us and held us down so that we are free to slave in this new way after the spirit of God and in the realm of the spirit and in the mind of the spirit and no longer in the oldness of the letter. [00:46:22]

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Transcript
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