Romans 8:1-17

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 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.

12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13 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, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ""Abba," Father." 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.


Pagan attempts to discover divine plans

  • Seeking signs: animal innards, arrows, household gods
  • Watching stars: astrology, horoscopes
  • Fortune telling: liquid in cup, tea leaves, tarot cards, Ouija board, crystal ball, palm reading
  • Asking spirits: channeling spirit guides, séances consulting dead people


Detailed guidance in the time of Moses

  • Which persons should be leaders
  • Uniforms for leaders to wear
  • Which foods to eat or avoid
  • Instructions on haircuts and clothing
  • Exact blueprint for the worship center
  • Amount of minimum offering
  • When to camp, when to move, how far to travel in a day, where to camp next


Old Covenant guidance

  • Words: voice of God or angel
  • Scriptures: writings inspired by God
  • Prophets: fighting wars, finding donkeys, God's commands, promises and warnings
  • Urim and Thummim: items used by high priest for decisions affecting the nation
  • Casting lots: dividing property, choosing leader, finding offender
  • Dreams: Pharaoh, Joseph, Daniel
  • Signs: burning bush, pillar of fire, fleece


New Covenant Difference

Old Covenant believers didn't yet have the whole Bible, or the character of God displayed in Jesus, or the way of salvation provided, or God's kingdom plan for the whole world revealed, or the indwelling Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide them.
"The common idea of divining God's will is either a pagan notion that we Christians need to let go of or a mode of administration that God no longer uses. God has given us a program of guidance that involves getting to know Him through His Word and letting Him shape our character, our hearts, and our desires. Then as we know the mind of God, we can live out his will." (Bruce Waltke, Finding the Will of God: A Pagan Notion? p. 168-169.)


Led by the Spirit

Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba," Father.” (Romans 8:14-15)

Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh... if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law... If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)


The Spirit leads us by:

  • Continuing Jesus' ministry by interactive relationship and showing kingdom plan.
  • Helping us understand, accept, and apply the Bible to ourselves.
  • Fighting our flesh, weakening sin and stupidity, making us holier and wiser.
  • Putting God's thoughts in our minds and God's desires in our hearts.
  • Freeing us as grown sons and heirs, not making every decision for us.


The Spirit testifies with our spirit

  • The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts. (Proverbs 20:27)
  • The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. (Romans 8:16)


Eyes of Your Heart

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. (Ephesians 1:17-19)


Interactive indwelling

  • I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. (3:16-17)
  • Christ lives in me. (Galatians 2:20)
  • Christ in you, the hope of glory (Col 1:27)
  • We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. (1 John 4:13)


Spirit-enlightened heart

. . . may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened (Eph. 1:17-18)

  • Understanding more of God's Word
    • Seek Spirit of wisdom and revelation
  • Experiencing more of God's reality
    • riches, power, indwelling, love, fullness


Last modified: Friday, October 27, 2023, 4:27 PM