Romans 8 has presented us with the truth of Christ’s death and resurrection and the impact that it has on believers’ lives. As a direct result of Christ’s ascension back to the Father in heaven, the Holy Spirit has been sent to give life and bear witness that we are truly saved. Romans 8:9-11 showed us that everyone who belongs to Christ has the Spirit of Christ dwelling within them. Through the witness of the Holy Spirit, we are assured that we are not only truly saved and belong to God but that we have been made sons of God.
Romans 8:11 NIV And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.
God will give life to the spirit of the believer through the Holy Spirit who dwells in you.
Without the indwelling Holy Spirit, we do not and cannot have life. We cannot identify ourselves as a believer without the witness that is given by the Holy Spirit.
1 John 4:13 NKJV By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
When we have this witness of the Holy Spirit, we know that we belong to Christ. The abiding presence of the Holy Spirit within certifies our union and fellowship with Jesus Christ. Without the Spirit of Christ, we do not belong to Him. When we receive this new life and have this witness of the Holy Spirit, we are brought to a new level of living.
Romans 8:12-13 NIV Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,
We have an obligation or a debt, but it is not to the flesh or the sinful nature.
We have been hurt, devastated, destroyed and brought into the kingdom of death and darkness by the old sinful nature. That old sinful nature would have pulled us into the depths of hell and eternal damnation. We should not focus our lives upon the flesh and its desires.
“For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die.”
The word “die” refers to consequences of sin. Physical, spiritual and eternal death is the consequence of living after the sinful nature. If we constantly and habitually yield to the sinful nature, we will die.
We are debtors (we have an obligation) to the Spirit.
Take note of what Romans 8 shows us the Holy Spirit has done for us.
- The Holy Spirit is the “Spirit of life” (Romans 8:2).
- He has freed us from sin and death (Romans 8:2).
- The Holy Spirit makes it possible for us to fulfill righteousness (Romans 8:4).
- The Spirit enables our minds to think right (Romans 8:5).
- The Holy Spirit gives us life and peace (Romans 8:6).
- The Holy Spirit dwells within us and identifies us as being “in” Christ (Romans 8:9).
- The Holy Spirit gives spiritual life now and will give life to our mortal bodies at the resurrection (Romans 8:10-11).
- The presence of the Holy Spirit within the believer makes it possible to turn away from sin (Romans 8:13).
Romans 8:13 shows the cooperative effort of the Holy Spirit and the believer.
Look at that phrase: “If by the Spirit.”
That is the key to our success. If we live by the Spirit… we will live. We cannot live successfully without the help of the Spirit.
“If by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”
If we put to death the deeds of the body, resisting sin, we will live. Often we may feel that we are putting to death the deeds of the body by ourselves. It is you, but it is not you. You are relying on the strength, holiness and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will not do this without our cooperation. Without the Holy Spirit’s help, we would not be able to do this successfully. The Holy Spirit leads and carries the believer through life. He bears us up into the victory of Christ above the corruptions of the world. By the power of the Spirit, we live and have success.
Why will we live?
Romans 8:14-15 ESV For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Look at the word “for.”
The word “for” shows us how we are brought into life. The sons of God are led by the Holy Spirit into this life. For it is the Holy Spirit Who leads us into life and victory over sin. The Holy Spirit is the reason for our being led into life and victory. Being led by the Spirit brings us into the glorious liberty of sons of God. Being led by the Spirit of God is a condition and situation of “sons of God.” This term “led by the Spirit of God” appears to be the same expression as “live by the Spirit.” The person who is “led by the Spirit of God” is wrapped up in the things of God, for they are a “son of God.” Their mind, will, determination, goal, and outcome is led by the Spirit of God.
Being “led by the Spirit” encompasses all aspects of our Christian life.
Being led by the Spirit is not just spectacular instances when we have divine guidance. The Holy Spirit leads by drawing us to God. He leads us by intimate fellowship in prayer, praise, singing, and in life. He leads by the submissive dependence of the believer on the Holy Spirit. For the Holy Spirit to lead, we must cooperate with Him. He leads by revelation, gifts and ministries. He leads through the Word of God. He leads the believer.
The leading of the Holy Spirit is different from the driving of Satan or evil.
The devil drives furiously. The demon possessed man was driven wild. Temptations and evil passions have an intensity that oppresses, overwhelms, and possesses.
“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear…”
“The spirit of slavery” or “the spirit of bondage” is typical of the way Satan drives people into destruction and death. The spirit of slavery or bondage leads into fear. While we were under the influence of the mind of the flesh and the power of sin, we were under bondage, slavery and fear. The Holy Spirit does not “lead” us with bondage, slavery or fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Being led by the Holy Spirit is intimate and joyful fellowship with God and the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit’s control and direction shows believers their privileges as a child of God.
The word “sons” is “huiothesia.”
Huios means “son” and thesia means “placement.” This is not the placement as a “baby” but as a “son.” This is a child who is mature enough to assume family privileges and responsibilities. In Ephesians 4:14, Paul talks about being an infant child.
Ephesians 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
The word for “infant” or “children” is nepios. These are the unskilled baby who does not know how to stand or live. When we were “nepios” we did not know who we were in Christ and we were easily carried about with every doctrine and teaching. The enemy’s schemes quickly deceived and tossed us. The Holy Spirit wants to bring us into the full privileges of being a son of God.
Romans 8:14-15 ESV For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons…
We are led by the Spirit into the privileges and duties of a son of God. We are being brought into the standing and righteousness of Christ. God has brought us into this privileged relationship. We are not adopted without privileges and duties. We have received the “adoption as sons.”
Every “son” in God’s family is led by the Holy Spirit.
Watch the depth of what it means to be led by the Spirit of God.
Romans 8:16-17 ESV The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.
The Holy Spirit from within gives witness that we are indeed a child of God. Every child of God, regardless of spiritual maturity, has this witness of the Holy Spirit. He gives this assurance that we belong with Christ. This inner witness is filled with the power and anointing that certifies our relationship with Christ. We need this assurance that we belong. The child of God knows they are in Christ and belong to their Father.
Ephesians 1:3-6 ESV Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christwith every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved.
Being made fellow heirs (joint heirs) with Christ involves every aspect of Christ’s life, position and relationship with the Father. We share in His victory, authority and power. We will share in His glory in heaven. We share in His sufferings and cross. “Suffering with Christ” indicates true participation and identification with Christ. It is important for every child of God to identify with Christ. In Him, we have victory and life.
John 15:20 NKJV Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
1 Peter 4:12-13 NKJV Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV84 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
What does it mean to “suffer with Christ?”
Suffering with Christ involves every aspect of the Christian life. We share in His suffering when we resist evil. We share with Christ’s suffering when we die to the lust and passions of the flesh. We suffer with Christ when we go through the fiery trial without compromising and stand strong in faith. We partake in Christ’s suffering when we appropriate the victory that Christ has gained on the cross and through His death. In all of these, the Holy Spirit lays before us the path of life and enables us with the strength to walk that path.
Romans 8:18-19 ESV For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.
If you, with the help of the Holy Spirit, put to death the deeds of your old sinful nature, you will “live.” The word “live” seems somewhat shallow. This “life” is filled with the glory which shall be revealed in us. This is not just referring to the “lifethat we live now.” The here and now occupies much of our consideration. These things are preparing us for the things that God has predestined us for. The “future glory that is to be revealed to us” makes the sufferings of this present time look like nothing. The things that we now face shall be insignificant when we come into the glory that is prepared for us. There is coming a day when we shall lay our burdens down and there will be no more trial, temptation or evil. All suffering, pain, dying and death will be done away with. The Holy Spirit is leading us into overcoming life and victory through Jesus Christ. This is the victory that overcomes the world and our flesh. He is guiding and keeping us through the many things that are coming against us. God has predestined His sons for glory. Your life as a son of God is filled with eager expectation of the glories that will be revealed to us.
