ROMANS: RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH FROM START TO FINISH

VI. God’s Righteousness Transferred: Practical Sanctification, Romans 6:1-8:39

E. Contrasting A Life By The Holy Spirit Versus The Sin Nature

(Romans 8:5-17)

I. Introduction

A. The theme of the epistle to the Romans is that God’s righteousness is available to man by faith from start to finish (Romans 1:16-17; Bible Know. Com., N. T., p. 441).

B. This belief is often not accepted in Christendom: Some claim that one must have faith plus works to be justified, and others say that though we are justified by faith, we cannot righteously live a godly life by faith.

C. After Paul taught that we believers can live by the power of the Holy Spirit in victory over the sin nature, in Romans 8:5-17, he contrasted a life that is lived by the Holy Spirit versus one that is lived by the sin nature.

D. We study this passage for our insight, application, and edification (as follows):

II. Contrasting A Life By The Holy Spirit Versus The Sin Nature, Romans 8:5-17.

A. In Romans 8:5-8, Paul contrasted the traits of a life lived by the sin nature versus one lived by the Holy Spirit:

1. He described the traits of a life lived by the sinful nature as follows:

a. Those who live by the sin nature have their minds set on what it desires (Romans 8:5a NIV), and Galatians 5:19-21 ESV explains that such desires include immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy drunkenness, orgies, and similar sins.

b. Paul added that the mind of a life lived in the sin nature is death (Romans 8:6a), that such a mind is hostile to God, it does not submit to God’s Law, it cannot do so, and it cannot please God, Romans 8:6c-8.

2. Paul then described the traits of a life lived by the Holy Spirit’s power as follows:

a. Those who live by means of the Holy Spirit’s power through faith have their minds set on what the Holy Spirit desires (Romans 8:5b NIV), and Galatians 5:22-23 ESV explains that these desires include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

b. Paul added that the mind of one who lives by the Holy Spirit’s power is life and peace (Romans 8:6b), and by implication, it also sharply contrasts the mind of the sin nature since the godly person’s mind is friendly toward God, it submits to God’s Law, it is able to do so, and it pleases God. (cf. Romans 8:6c-8 implied)

B. Paul then applied this teaching to believers in Romans 8:9-11, describing the blessings of living by the Spirit:

1. The Holy Spirit indwelt Paul’s readers, so the presence of His traits in their experience assured them that they were saved (Romans 8:9), and though their bodies were set to die due to the presence of the sin nature in them, the Holy Spirit in their souls still gave them spiritual life in their mortal bodies, Romans 8:10.

2. Since Paul had mentioned the current unredeemed status of the believer’s body in this present life, he added that since the Holy Spirit Who had raised Jesus from the dead indwelt them, He would also make their mortal bodies alive [at the Rapture of the Church, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58], Romans 8:11!

C. Paul then urged his believing readers to live by means of the Holy Spirit and not by the sin nature, for if they lived by their sin nature as believers, they would physically die premature deaths because God punished sin even in believers (Romans 8:12-13a with 1 John 5:16 and 1 Corinthians 11:28-30). However, if they lived by faith in reliance on the Holy Spirit, figuratively “putting to death” the deeds of the sin nature by effectively boycotting life by the sin nature, they would live relatively long lives, Romans 8:13b!

D. Paul then explained how living by means of the Holy Spirit’s power is a lofty calling for us, Romans 8:14-17:

1. First, we who are led by the Spirit of God are actual sons of God (Romans 8:14), so we should live like it!

2. Second, we were not given a spirit that makes us slaves again to fear, but the Holy Spirit by Whom we cry out to God the Father with the endearing term, “Abba,” in fulfilling fellowship with Him, Romans 8:15.

3. Third, the Holy Spirit reassuringly testifies with our human spirit that we are God’s children, Rom. 8:16.

4. Fourth, as His children, we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, a promise of vast wealth, v. 17a.

5. Fifth, being co-heirs with Christ necessarily involves suffering for righteousness as He did that we might share in His glory that the Father gave Him for suffering for righteousness (v. 17b). This is a lofty calling!

Lesson: Life by the sin nature leads to sin, unrest in shame and a shorter earthly lifespan where life by the Holy Spirit leads to righteousness, peace, fellowship with God and a longer lifespan – a lofty spiritual calling.

Application: May we realize that we are not only obligated by God to live by the Holy Spirit’s power but also the lofty calling from the Lord of even doing so, that we might rely on the Holy Spirit for how we life this earthly life.