Dead Mind of the Flesh
Bible Text: Romans 8:7-8 | Preacher: Alan Conner | Series: 2004, Romans
INTRO
We are in the first section of Romans 8 which deals with the ministry of the Spirit and His role in bringing about the certainty of salvation for those in Christ Jesus. The first thirteen verses in chapter 8 deals with the role of the HS as the “Spirit of life,” who has set us free from the law of sin and of death. How so? TWO WAYS:
1) By imparting saving faith (v. 2-3).
2) By imparting grace to live the Christian life, sanctification (v. 4). Not the perfection but the direction of the life.
The flesh can never produce any help to grow assurance. This is what Paul was saying in vv. 5-6. The Spirit and the flesh are antithetical. The mind of the flesh is death (v. 6).
In 8:7-8, Paul now explains to us why the mind of the flesh is death (v. 6) and thus cannot help in producing the evidence needed for the assurance of salvation.
A. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A DEAD MIND (vv. 7-8).
“because” . . . (reasons for v. 6).
1) it is hostile toward God (v. 7a).
2) does not subject itself to the law of God (v. 7b).
3) it is not even able (v. 7c).
TOTAL INABILITY –
1Cor. 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
Jer. 13:23 “Can the Ethiopian change his skin Or the leopard his spots? Then you also can do good Who are accustomed to doing evil.
John 6:44 “No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.
4) flesh cannot please God (v. 8).
Thus, the flesh cannot produce what assurance requires: conformity to the image of Christ and His holy laws. But by implication, the flesh also fails in the other area needed for assurance: faith. The flesh cannot produce saving faith or any form of true sanctification.
IMPLICATION: NO FREEWILL.
1) If the mind of the flesh is hostile to God and does not subject itself to the law and cannot, then faith is impossible. The law not only gives commands of what to do but also to trust in God.
2) If the flesh cannot please God then it can never produce true faith. WHY?
Heb. 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
IF, Those in the flesh cannot please God,
IF, Faith pleases God,
THEN, those in the flesh cannot produce faith. NO FREEWILL!
On the contrary, the Spirit produces faith, Rom. 12:3 “God has allotted to each a measure of faith”; 1 Cor. 12:3 “No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.”
CONCLUSION
Salvation is based on faith alone but assurance is based on saving faith and sanctification, Rom. 8:4 (the latter being the evidence of the former).
ASSURANCE COMES FROM BEING SET FREE BY THE SPIRIT OF LIFE AS EVIDENCED THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST ALONE FOR SALVATION, (Justification) AND A MEASURE OF FULFILLING THE LAW OF GOD (sanctification).
Again, NOT THE PERFECTION OF YOUR LIFE (impossible), BUT THE DIRECTION OF YOUR LIFE. Remember Romans 7. Cf. PETER.
A key element of your assurance comes by you (not others) observing the fruit of the Spirit in your life.
Remember Peter’s words, 2 Pet. 1:10 “Be diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you.” MAKE IT CERTAIN.
God wants everyone of His children to know they are His child.