No Condemnation

Text: Romans 8

Introduction:

• The high-water mark of Romans
• We were in some deep waters in chapters 6 & 7. We now get to come up for air before plunging into the depths of chapter 9 (the Marianna Trench of the NT).
• Start with “no condemnation, end with no separation, and in between all things work together for good.”
• Introduces us to the Holy Spirit and His work in sanctification. The Spirit is mentioned 19 times.

I. No Condemnation

A. Emphatic construction

1. Comes on the heels of the “O wretched man that I am”

2. “Dwelleth no good thing”

B. Before salvation we were “condemned already”

1. We were already dead in trespasses and sins

2. Illus.

On death row, the inmate is already condemned to die; he is just waiting the execution of his execution. The unsaved is not going to be condemned; he is already condemned.

C. Result of being “in Christ Jesus”

1. Identification with Christ that makes us so that we are not condemned

2. The “law of double jeopardy” states that a man cannot be tried twice for the same crime. Since Jesus Christ paid the penalty for your sins, and since you are “in Christ,” God will not condemn you.

D. Free from the law of sin

1. You have changed jurisdictions: from Law to Spirit

2. Note: A person never escapes being under some law

3. The law could not make us righteous

a) It was weak in the flesh

b) The flesh cannot live up to its standards

c) The flesh actually becomes more alive under the law

4. The Spirit can lift us to righteousness, the law cannot lift us up, only condemn us or tear us down

II. Life of flesh compared to the life in the Spirit

A. This is a contrast between the saved and unsaved, not the “good” Christian and “bad” Christian. Paul is not describing two kinds of Christians, one carnal and one spiritual.

B. Flesh

1. Mind fleshly things

a) “Mind” = “obey”

b) Speaks of the tendencies, desires

2. Ends in death

a) “Wages of sin is death”

b) “Sin when it is finished brings forth death”

3. At enmity with God

a) The unsaved, no matter how moral, is an enemy of God’s

b) War has often been declared between self and God

4. Not subject to the Law of God

a) Dead to the law of God (Eph. 2:1-3)

b) It is in a different jurisdiction

c) The good that it does do is not in response to the law of God but is selfish in nature (“righteousnesses as filthy rags”)

5. Cannot please God

C. Spirit Life

1. Mind the things of the Spirit

2. Life and PEACE characterize the person’s life

a) With the increase in tranquilizers and shrinks, our nation is in desperate need of inner peace

b) Inner peace comes from being in a right relationship with God, not necessarily with circumstances

3. Indwelt by the Spirit of God

4. Debtors to the Spirit (not tot he flesh)

a) Our righteousness, which we need to see God, is from the indwelling Spirit

(1) Our righteous standing before God comes in Christ, our righteous living comes from the Holy Spirit

(2) Our righteousness comes from God. None of it can be claimed to come from ourselves

(3) We need a “righteousness from God”

b) Spirit gives us assurance of salvation

c) Spirit leads us in the “spiritual” life

(1) A better term for our age might be “holy” life

(2) He is the Holy Spirit

5. Mortify the deeds of the flesh

6. Led by the Spirit

III. Benefits or Blessings of the Spirit

A. Adopted or made mature

1. We are “placed as sons”

2. Our maturity comes as the Spirit controls us

B. Assurance of salvation

1. This is the internal witness

2. How do we know if the internal witness is true?

a) It must be according to Scripture

b) It must be according to truth

c) It must be according to sincerity

C. Joint-heirs with Christ

1. Illus. How would you like to be on a joint checking account with Bill Gates?

2. The main withdrawal we need is strength for spiritual life

3. God has given us the resources we need to succeed spiritually

D. Suffering

E. Glorification