Sanctification by the Spirit

Bible Text: Romans 8:4 | Preacher: Alan Conner | Series: 2003, Romans

Northwest Bible Church – December 7, 2003 – Worship Service – Alan Conner

 

Rom. 8:4

Sanctification by the Spirit

 

INTRO

1) The work of the Spirit of life (8:1-13)

a) No condemnation for sin leads to no domination by sin (1-4)

v. 1 – Assertion: no condemnation for those in Christ.

v. 2 – Reason #1: The Spirit of life has set us free from the law of sin                                                                                                and of death (Rom. 8:2).   Justification – no condemnation.

v. 3 – Reason #2: God condemned Christ for our sin, that we might not                                                                              be condemned (Rom. 8:3).  Justification – no condemnation.

v. 4 – Purpose: so those who walk in the Spirit can fulfill the                                                                                                              requirement of the law (Rom. 8:4).   Sanctification – no domination.

 

Paul is setting forth the evidence for the assurance of our salvation.  There is no condemnation for us because of the work of the Spirit of life who applies to us the benefits of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

 

But why did it happen this way?  Why did God send His Son to be a sacrifice for us?  Why did God justify us so that we might no longer be under condemnation?   Because God has more in store for us than just justification and escaping from condemnation.  He justifies us in order to sanctify us.  He declares us righteous that He might also make us righteous.

 

 

I.  THE PURPOSE OF JUSTIFICATION AND “NO CONDEMNATION”.

 

A.  The “so that” introduces for us a purpose clause.

 

B.  No condemnation of sin leads to no domination of sin.

 

1) meaning of the “requirement of the Law” –

 

2) meaning of “might be fulfilled in us” – not imputed but imparted.

 

 

Imputed righteousness –

 

Imparted righteousness –

 

KEEP IN MIND:

a) The “fulfilled in us” is in the passive mood and indicates it is a work of God through the HS in us, not something we do on our own power.    Eph. 2:10

 

b) This practical righteousness is imperfect.

 

c) The Christian is both free from the curse and penalty of the law (7:4, 6; 8:2) but also obligated to live by the moral law (8:4).

 

3) logical order:  Justification then sanctification.  But WHY?

 

a) We must be freed from the penalty of sin before we can be freed from its power.

b) We must be freed from the law (Rom. 8:1-3) before we can fulfill the law (Rom. 8:4).

 

Why?  1 Cor. 15:56 – “the power of sin is the law.”  We must die to the law (7:4) before the power of sin can be broken in us.

4) Practical righteousness or sanctification is the goal of justification.

 

5) Walking by the Spirit is the key to practical righteousness.

 

II.  EVIDENCE OF “NO CONDEMNATION”

 

How do you know if you have been set free from the condemnation of the law of sin?  Especially when we still struggle with sin and experience many defects in our life?

 

Answer: Is there evidence of a changed life?  Is the righteousness of the law being fulfilled in you?  This is not asking are you sinless, and not asking do you struggle with sin, but is the principle of practical righteousness showing any evidence of being in your life?

 

“Without holiness no man shall see the Lord” Heb. 12:14   No easy believism.  Justification without sanctification is not biblical.