Living in the Spirit: Assurance and Transformation in Christ

 

Summary

In this evening's reflection on Romans 8:5-8, we delve into the profound contrast between those who live according to the flesh and those who live according to the Spirit. The essence of this passage is to affirm the certainty and completeness of salvation for those who are in Christ Jesus, emphasizing that this assurance is exclusive to those who have been transformed by the Spirit. The Apostle Paul makes it clear that there is no condemnation for those in Christ, and this is not a privilege extended to everyone, but only to those who have been set free from the law of sin and death by the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.

The passage highlights the stark difference between the Christian and the non-Christian. Those who live according to the flesh are dominated by their human nature, which is inherently opposed to God. This carnal mindset is described as death because it is enmity against God and cannot submit to God's law. In contrast, those who live according to the Spirit experience life and peace, as they are aligned with God's will and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Paul's argument is not about two types of Christians but rather about the fundamental difference between those who are in Christ and those who are not. The non-Christian, regardless of their moral or intellectual standing, is spiritually dead, living a life devoid of God. This spiritual death is characterized by a mind that is hostile to God and incapable of pleasing Him. The transformation into a life in the Spirit is not something one can achieve on their own; it is a work of God, a gift of grace that brings about a radical change in one's nature.

This understanding challenges us to recognize the depth of our need for God's intervention and the transformative power of His Spirit. It is a call to examine our own lives and ensure that we are truly living in the Spirit, experiencing the fullness of life and peace that comes from being in Christ.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Certainty of Salvation in Christ: Salvation is assured for those in Christ, not based on human effort but on the transformative work of the Spirit. This assurance is exclusive to those who have been set free from the law of sin and death. [01:32]

2. The Nature of the Flesh: Living according to the flesh means being dominated by human nature, which is inherently opposed to God. This state is characterized by a focus on worldly things and a life devoid of spiritual reality. [11:16]

3. Spiritual Death vs. Life in the Spirit: The mind of the flesh is death, as it is hostile to God and cannot submit to His law. In contrast, life in the Spirit brings peace and alignment with God's will, highlighting the need for a radical transformation. [26:46]

4. The Inability of the Natural Man: The natural man cannot understand or accept the things of the Spirit because they are spiritually discerned. This highlights the necessity of God's intervention for true spiritual understanding and life. [30:26]

5. The Gift of Grace: Our transformation into life in the Spirit is a gift of grace, not something we can achieve on our own. This underscores the importance of God's action in our salvation and the assurance it brings. [50:32]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Introduction to Romans 8:5-8
- [01:12] - The Object of Romans Chapter 8
- [02:32] - The Exclusivity of Salvation
- [03:19] - The Necessity of Being in Christ
- [04:47] - Contrast Between Christian and Non-Christian
- [06:35] - All Christians Are in the Spirit
- [08:45] - The Radical Change Required
- [10:24] - Description of the Non-Christian
- [13:40] - The Mindset of the Flesh
- [19:44] - Worldly Mindedness Explained
- [26:09] - The Mind of the Flesh is Death
- [31:06] - Spiritual Death Described
- [37:41] - Enmity Against God
- [44:24] - The Inability to Submit to God's Law
- [50:11] - The Gift of the Spirit's Life

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Romans 8:5-8

Bible Reading:
- Romans 8:5-8

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Observation Questions:

1. What are the two contrasting ways of living described in Romans 8:5-8, and how are they characterized? [00:15]

2. According to the sermon, what does it mean to be "after the flesh," and how does this affect one's relationship with God? [11:16]

3. How does the sermon describe the mindset of those who live according to the Spirit, and what are the resulting benefits? [01:32]

4. What does the sermon say about the ability of the natural man to understand spiritual matters? [30:26]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon explain the concept of "no condemnation" for those in Christ, and why is this assurance exclusive? [01:32]

2. In what ways does the sermon illustrate the enmity between the carnal mind and God? How does this enmity manifest in everyday life? [38:18]

3. What does the sermon suggest about the role of the Holy Spirit in transforming a believer's life, and why is this transformation necessary? [50:32]

4. How does the sermon differentiate between the moral or intellectual standing of a non-Christian and their spiritual state? [21:42]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be living "according to the flesh"? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to transform these areas? [11:16]

2. The sermon emphasizes the certainty of salvation for those in Christ. How does this assurance affect your daily life and decisions? [01:32]

3. Consider a time when you felt spiritually dead or disconnected from God. What steps can you take to realign your life with the Spirit and experience peace? [26:46]

4. How can you cultivate a mindset that is aligned with the Spirit, especially in situations where you feel challenged or opposed? [29:04]

5. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to submit to God's law. What practical steps can you take to surrender this area to God? [44:24]

6. The sermon highlights the necessity of God's intervention for true spiritual understanding. How can you actively seek God's guidance and wisdom in your daily life? [30:26]

7. Think of someone in your life who may be living according to the flesh. How can you lovingly share the message of transformation and life in the Spirit with them? [21:42]

Devotional

Day 1: Assurance of Salvation Through the Spirit
Salvation is not a result of human effort but is assured for those who are in Christ through the transformative work of the Spirit. This assurance is exclusive to those who have been set free from the law of sin and death. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that there is no condemnation for those in Christ, highlighting the certainty and completeness of salvation for believers. This assurance is a profound gift, rooted in the grace and power of the Holy Spirit, who transforms and renews our hearts and minds. [01:32]

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you rest in the assurance of your salvation today, knowing it is a gift from God and not based on your own efforts?


Day 2: The Conflict of the Flesh
Living according to the flesh means being dominated by human nature, which is inherently opposed to God. This state is characterized by a focus on worldly things and a life devoid of spiritual reality. The carnal mindset is described as death because it is enmity against God and cannot submit to God's law. This highlights the stark contrast between a life led by the flesh and one led by the Spirit, urging believers to examine their own lives and desires. [11:16]

"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." (Romans 8:5, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you are tempted to live according to the flesh. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to transform this area?


Day 3: Spiritual Death vs. Life in the Spirit
The mind of the flesh is death, as it is hostile to God and cannot submit to His law. In contrast, life in the Spirit brings peace and alignment with God's will, highlighting the need for a radical transformation. This transformation is not something one can achieve on their own; it is a work of God, a gift of grace that brings about a radical change in one's nature. Believers are called to live in the Spirit, experiencing the fullness of life and peace that comes from being in Christ. [26:46]

"For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." (Romans 8:6, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take today to set your mind on the Spirit and experience the peace that comes from aligning with God's will?


Day 4: The Natural Man's Inability
The natural man cannot understand or accept the things of the Spirit because they are spiritually discerned. This highlights the necessity of God's intervention for true spiritual understanding and life. Without the Spirit, one remains spiritually dead, incapable of pleasing God or comprehending His ways. This understanding challenges us to recognize our deep need for God's intervention and the transformative power of His Spirit in our lives. [30:26]

"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you struggled to understand spiritual truths. How can you seek God's intervention for greater spiritual discernment today?


Day 5: Embracing the Gift of Grace
Our transformation into life in the Spirit is a gift of grace, not something we can achieve on our own. This underscores the importance of God's action in our salvation and the assurance it brings. The radical change in one's nature is a testament to the power and grace of God, calling believers to live in gratitude and dependence on Him. This gift of grace invites us to live a life that reflects the transformative work of the Spirit. [50:32]

"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me." (1 Corinthians 15:10, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively embrace and live out the gift of grace in your daily life, acknowledging that it is God's work in you?

Quotes


Now let me remind you that the object of the entire chapter and therefore the object of every subsidiary section is rarely to prove the contention of verse 1 namely that there is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. That's the fundamental proposition. He's out to show the absolute certainty and finality of the full and complete salvation of all who are in Christ Jesus. [00:01:17]

The negative isness that this salvation only applies to such people, not to anybody else at all. It is those who have been set free from the law of sin and death by the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus. They're the only people to whom there is no condemnation and to whom therefore this certainty of final and complete salvation applies. [00:02:12]

The first thing he says is this: such a man, he says, minds certain things. They that have after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh. Now this is a very interesting expression, isn't it? You've noticed in that reading in the Epistle to the Philippians that the Apostle uses exactly the same expression several times. [00:13:37]

The mind of the flesh is death. They have the mind of the flesh is death. As already said that they mind the things of the flesh. Now he is saying that the people who do mind the things of the flesh and have the sort of mind that does that are dead. To have the mind of the flesh is death. [00:26:09]

The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God. Why not? Because they are foolishness to him. Neither can he know them. Why? Well, because they are spiritually discerned. He that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. [00:30:26]

The unbeliever says Paul is not only like that, he can't do anything about it. He is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Of course, you've got exactly the same idea in that 1 Corinthians 2:14 that I read to you just now. The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God. [00:45:49]

The natural men, this men after the flesh, this unbeliever, he cannot believe in God. He cannot believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. He's at enmity, he hates him, he's altogether opposed to him, he shut out from his life, he lacks a spiritual faculty, he's incapable, neither indeed can be. [00:47:41]

The man who is spiritually dead hates God, rebelled against him, and can do no other because he is like that. Natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for their foolishness to him, neither can see these things are spiritually discerned, and if you haven't got the spiritual faculty you cannot discern. [00:48:09]

How does any man become a believer then? The answer is this: it's been already given in verse 2, and God willing we shall go on to work it out next Friday. The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus that set me free. I haven't done it, it's been done to me. It is God's action. [00:50:11]

By grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. We are his workmanship. We can do nothing. It is all of God, and let us thank God that it is because it is because it is all of God that it is certain, that it is safe, that it is sure. [00:50:32]

We are not just believers, we've been made anew. We are in the realm of the spiritual. We've been put there. We are in Christ. The Spirit of God has incorporated us into him. It is his action. Well, there we've been looking tonight at the negative and how important it is that we should do so. [00:51:56]

We'll never realize what we are as Christians until we first realized what we wear as non-Christians and what was absolutely essential before we could ever become Christians. If God had not quickened us, we would still be dead. A dead man can't give himself life. God quickened us. [00:52:56]

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Transcript
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