The Spirit Is Life

To grasp the significance of what Paul is telling us in the verses selected we need to begin at verse 1 of chapter 8, I am going to begin by reading Romans 8:1-11: Hear the word of the Lord: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 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, 4 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. 5 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. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. The great proclamation of the Gospel message here is that if we are in Christ we are no longer under condemnation. This is a concept from the legal arena. It means that we have been brought up on charges. The trial has been held. All our sins have been presented to the Judge – God Himself. The fact of our connection to sinful humanity, our inability to maintain right behavior according to the Law, our rebellious and sinful words, actions and attitudes have all been presented. When the prosecuted rested its case, it was obvious that we were doomed. What could we possibly say in our defense? Gordon Mote states it poetically in his song, Mercy Walked In: I stood in the court room the judge turned my way It looks like you're guilty now what do you say I spoke up your honor I have no defense But that's when mercy walked in [Chorus] Mercy walked in and pleaded my case Called to the stand God's saving grace The blood was presented that covered my sin Forgiven when mercy walked in I stood there and wondered how could this be That someone so guilty had just been set free My chains were broken I felt born again The moment that mercy walked in The blood was presented that covered my sin forgiven when mercy walked in To say that there is no condemnation means that when we are in Christ Jesus the charges have been dropped. To say that there is no condemnation means that when we are in Christ Jesus there is no record of the trial having taken place. We enter the courtroom in shackles, but the law of the Spirit of life has set us free. And now, as God’s people, we live not under the law of sin and death, but according to the Spirit, which is life itself. The rest of the passage shows us the difference between what it means to live life according to the flesh and life according to the Spirit. So first we will look at this idea of life in the flesh. When Paul speaks of flesh here, he is referring to the physical, earthly aspect of life. It is what relates to life in this world. It is neither good nor bad, it’s just life. It is limited. It is temporary. It is what Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 15 as earthly, perishable, without honor, weak, natural, mortal, even a bare seed. It is what we leave behind to receive that which is heavenly, imperishable, glorious, powerful, spiritual, immortal. In fact, we leave the bare seed of the flesh behind to receive the body that God has chosen, a body that will know no more tears, no more sorrow, no more pain. I want to be clear. We are not talking about rejecting the world. We are in this world. We live lives of flesh and blood. In Galatians 2:20 when Paul speaks of the new life he is living in Christ, he affirms that it is lived in this body. In chapter 1 of Philippians, even as he is torn between wanting to remain here for the sake of ministry and go to his eternal reward, Paul acknowledges the value of life here on earth. Certainly, Jesus showed us the value and dignity of every human life as he took on human form and as he healed diseases and ministered to people in the midst of their humanity. So many of our hospitals, our houses of human healing, were founded by, were built by and are supported by the Church. So many of the human agents of healing – our doctors, nurses, technicians of all types are individuals of deep faith and are driven by an understanding of the value and dignity of human life. It is abundantly clear from Scripture and from the historical and present activity of the church that Christianity does not believe that life on this earth is to simply be tolerated until such time as we can shed our earthly form and take on our spiritual form. The problem lies in the “according to.” Living life in the flesh is morally and spiritually neutral. It is the natural and, in fact, only way we can live. “According to” does not speak to the “how” of living, it speaks to the “why” of living. “According to” is the purpose, the intent of living. The same physical activity can be driven by different intents. Let me illustrate. Imagine that you are going to the bank. Going to the bank is a morally and spiritually neutral activity. But the reason you are going to the bank, the “according to” makes all the difference. If you are going to the bank to conduct the business necessary to be a good steward of the financial resources God has trusted into your hands, then you are doing something that is spiritually positive. You are going to the bank “according to” life in the Spirit. However, if you are going to the bank in order to greedily hoard the resources God has trusted into your hands or if you are going to the bank in order to rob the bank, then you are doing something spiritually negative. You are going to the bank “according to” life in the flesh. If you are going to the bank to get a donut, you are forgetful because the bank has stopped having donuts. The New Living Translation helps to clarify this concept when it translates the word behind “according to” as “dominated by.” The first verse of Romans 8 reminds us that in Christ we have been set free from a life that is dominated by the sinful desires of the flesh. We are given the privilege and the call to no longer live “according to” the flesh, the things of this world. We will look at what it means to live “according to” the Spirit, but first I want to look at what living “according to” the flesh lead us to. There really are only two controlling factors for our lives – the things of the flesh and the things of the Spirit. We either live dominated by this world or dominated by the things of God. It is absolutely our choice, but we must choose. When we are in Christ, we have been set free from the dominion of sin. At that moment we begin a journey that leads us away from a life of sin and into a life of holiness. Unfortunately, too many Christians, too many who begin that journey, pause along the way. Like the Israelites they look over their shoulders and long for the good, old days – slavery in Egypt, back-breaking work, gruel to eat. Even though hindsight makes it clear what decisions someone else should have made, it does not seem to provide a very clear image of what reality was like. This seems especially true when the way forward is difficult and contains so much that is unknown. Let us look with open eyes at the reality of a life “according to” the flesh and its destination, then see the Spirit-filled way forward. You can see from the description in 1 Corinthians 15 why it is a problem to live life “according to” the flesh. It is not just a problem; from an eternity standpoint it is pointless. But it is not just a waste of time. It leads us down a dangerous path. Notice the progression that Paul lays out beginning in verse 5. Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh. It is only logical that if the controlling factor of our lives is this world, then our mind will be set on those things. To set your mind on something means to focus on it, to give it your attention. In its earliest, most basic meaning the word was used for the diaphragm, that which the early Greeks understood to control the breathing. So, in its basic sense, to set your mind on something is to live and breathe it. To set your mind on the things of the flesh is to make this world and the things of this world the focus of your life. To live and breathe the things of the flesh takes us to the next step in Paul’s progression. (verse 8) Those who live in the flesh cannot please God. The things of this world are quite often contrary to the things that are pleasing to God. A life that has this world as its focus is naturally not going to be concerned with whether or not words, actions and attitudes are pleasing to God. In fact, a life that is lived “according to” the flesh does not ask about the impact of words, actions or attitudes on its relationship with God. A life lived “according to” the flesh is not pleasing to God because it does not ask: What would God want me to do in this situation? What would be pleasing to God in these circumstances? (verse 7) it does not submit to God’s law The answer to the question, what would God want me to do in this situation, is found in the law of God. Paul is not talking about a rigid adherence to the laws of Moses. He has already spilled a great deal of ink explaining that we are under grace, not under the law. He has already explained quite clearly that the law and a rigid adherence to it cannot bring us to salvation. F.F. Bruce writes that “Christian holiness is not a matter of painstaking conformity to the specific precepts of an external law-code…” We will look at what it means to submit to God’s law in a moment as we look at the positive side of this passage. For now, we see that life “according to” the flesh cannot please God because it does not submit to God’s law. (verse 7) it is hostile to God The next step Paul shows in this progression is to say that to live and breathe the things of the flesh leads to a life that is hostile to God. There really is no middle ground. To embrace the things of the world is to push God away. To embrace the things of God is to push the world away. In Ephesians 2:3 we see that we were “by nature children of wrath.” One of the aspects of the salvation brought to us through the shed blood of Christ is that we are reconciled to God. This is necessary because our lives that have been focused on this world and the things of this world have been hostile to God. In fact, later on in Ephesians, chapter 2, Paul says: Ephesians 2:14-16 - 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. The position of hostility toward God leads to the final step in the progression of a life lived “according to” the flesh. (verse 6) For to set the mind on the flesh is death The end result of living and breathing this world is spiritual death and, ultimately, eternal death. William Barclay writes that “to allow the things of the world completely to dominate life is self extinction; it is spiritual suicide.” In our spiritual lives, we are constantly moving one direction or the other. We are either moving toward God or away from God. We are either growing as disciples of Jesus Christ or our spiritual lives are fading and shrinking and shriveling up. James says it this way: James 1:14-15 - 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. The bad news is that the inevitable result of living “according to” the flesh is spiritual death. The good news is that living “according to” the flesh is not the only option. So we turn to the positive side of what Paul tells us in this passage. In verse 6, Paul says that “to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” In verse 10 he tells us that “the Spirit is life.” In verse 2 we are told that the “Spirit of life has set you free.” Paul wraps up this passage in verse 11 by telling us that our mortal bodies gain life through the Spirit. Just to the outside of the passage that is given for us today, Paul gives one of those great summaries that we find throughout his writings. Listen to how Paul summarizes what he has written in verses 1-11 Romans 8:12-14 - 12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. God’s desire is that we would be called his children. God’s desire is that we would live in relationship with Him. As we already saw, this was made possible through the sacrificial death and victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. By accepting the forgiveness offered there we enter into that life given through the Spirit. At that point we begin a lifelong journey of shedding the things of this world and taking on the things of the Spirit. We begin to live “according to” the Spirit and not “according to” the flesh. I want to be clear; this is a necessary part of the Christian life. As I have often said, “We do not simply add Jesus to what we are already doing.” We have already seen that we cannot please God and continue to live “according to” the flesh. To attempt to do that, leads us away from and, ultimately, out of relationship with God. I am reminded of a scene early in the movie, Forrest Gump. Forrest has been fitted with braces for his legs. He is walking down the lane with Jenny. The boys in the pickup start to chase him and Jenny utters that famous line, “Run, Forrest, Run!” We see young Forrest hobbling and running awkwardly. There is no doubt that he is going to be caught and run over by the pickup. Then the braces begin to break apart. He sheds them piece by piece. His gait becomes smooth and he takes off with lightning speed. When we shed the things of this world, we are able to put on the Spirit that is life. The writer of Hebrews says it this way, Hebrews 12:1 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Paul gives us some clues in Romans 8 that can help us to live “according to” the Spirit, so that we can run that race set before us, so that we can live out what it means to be called the daughters and sons of God. 1) We embrace, by faith, the gift of the Holy Spirit Life in the Sprit is a gift of God’s grace. We do not gain salvation, which is where life in the Spirit begins, by our efforts. Life in the Spirit is not our reward for a life well-lived. Life in the Spirit is not the paycheck we have earned. Life in the Spirit is a gift of God’s grace. There are those well-known passages that remind us of this truth: Ephesians 2:8-9 - 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Romans 6:23 - 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. We do not prompt God to work on our behalf, He has already done all that is necessary for our salvation. In verse 2 there is a powerful three-word phrase – God has done. We are not waiting for God to do something. We are looking for action on God’s part. God has done. Our part is to embrace what God has already done. In embracing by faith, the grace poured out, we begin life in the Spirit. 2) We set our minds on the things of the Sprit (verse 5) those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. As I stated earlier, to set your mind on something is to focus on it, to give it your attention. To set your mind on something is to live and breathe it. To set our minds on the things of the Sprit means to live and breathe the things of the Sprit. What are the things of the Spirit that we live and breathe? When Jesus was preparing to leave His disciples, He told them this: John 14:25-26 - 25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. A significant role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian is to teach us and remind us of all that Jesus taught and said. To set our minds on the Spirit would be to set our minds on Christ. Just before the verse quoted Jesus said this: John 14:9-11 - Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. To set our minds on the Spirit is to set our minds on Christ. To set our minds on Christ is to set our minds on God the Father. To live “according to” the Spirit is to make the things of God our focus and to give them our attention. The things of God are primarily found in God’s Word, as it is prayerfully read, reflected on and applied to our lives. This is why it is so important for the Christian to be in the Spirit-breathed Word of God. An active devotional life is critical to a vital spiritual life. I think that there are two keys to having a mind set on the things of the Spirit, which are found in God’s Word. I want to illustrate them as I show you a method that I have used to some success in my own devotional life, The Daily Office. The first key is intentionality. We talk about that quite a bit here at Grace, but nowhere is it more important than in our devotional life. In order for a devotional life to be effective it needs to be intentional. Have a plan, use that plan. Allow your devotional life to become such a routine that you are lost if it does not happen. I use a method called a Daily Office. It is something that has been used around Christianity for centuries. It is more than just reading a devotional or reading the Bible. It is making those things, as well as prayer, a part of worship. The Daily Office can be used individually, or as a group. I have begun to make the Daily Office available in both printed form and in audio form at the church’s Faithlife Group page. I hope you will use it, at least for a while, to see if it provides a means for you to be intentional about your devotional life. As part of my Daily Office I recite St. Patrick’s breastplate. Doing this daily reminds me of what Christ has done for my salvation. It reminds me of where God can be seen in His creation. It reminds me to give God every part of my life. It reminds me to watch for Christ in every part of my day. It reminds me to be intentional about setting my mind on the things of the Spirit, not just in my devotions, but in my life. Another part of the Daily Office is the daily Scripture. These readings are taken from a plan called the Daily Lectionary, which takes me through the Bible every two years. The Daily Office would be no less effective if I used a different method of choosing what to read in God’s Word. The idea of being international about reading the Bible is the key. The third element in the Daily Office that shows intentionality is the plan for prayer. Each day different prompts for thanksgiving and intercession are listed. In the intercessions a different area of the world is listed, and I am reminded to pray specifically for the missionaries that we support in that area of the world. These prompts are not intended to be rushed through, nor are they intended to limit my prayers, but I find that my prayer life is richer when I am prompted to pray more deeply about different things each day. I could say so much more about the Daily Office and will prepare a teaching on the effective use of it, but I hope you can see through this illustration the value of intentionality in your devotional life. The second key is time. It should be obvious that to set our mind on something means we commit time to it. If you have used the Daily Office, you have discovered that it takes some time. It is not a quick read of a simple devotional book. It is an investment of time in your spiritual walk. Life in the Spirit takes time. There are no shortcuts. There is no microwave version. To live and breathe something requires that we give ourselves to it. 3) We obey God’s law I said earlier that we do not gain salvation by our efforts. Life in the Spirit is a gift of God’s grace. However, it is a gift that leads us to a new way of life. Last week’s text from Romans 12:1-2 reminds of us this: Romans 12:1-2 - I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Transforming and renewing brings us to a place where we ling to obey God. Obedience is the natural outgrowth of a vital devotional life, which is the place where we daily place ourselves I the hands of the Holy Spirit, who opens the Word of God to us and reminds us of all that Jesus taught and did. We take it in so that we can live it out. I shared with you part of a quote from F.F Bruce earlier. It began - Christian holiness is not a matter of painstaking conformity to the specific precepts of an external law-code;” He goes on to say, “ it is rather a question of the Holy Spirit’s producing his fruit in one’s life, reproducing those graces which were seen in perfection in the life of Christ” The Spirit is life because the Spirit is reproducing the life of Christ in us. As we obey God – which is summed up in “Love God – Love Others”, we live out what has been transformed and renewed in us. To live “according to” the Spirit is life. It is the abundant, fruitful life Jesus came to give us. It is a life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control, the fruit of the Spirit. To have that fruit grow in our lives we need to set our minds on the things of the Spirit, filling ourselves with God’s Word and then letting it pour out in obedient living. When that kind of life is in us and flowing out of us it can produce life in others around us as well. Go forth into this week being filled with the Spirit and being poured out into the world. Remember that in Christ there is now no condemnation. You have been set free to live in the Spirit which is life itself.