Set Free by the Spirit

Northwest Bible Church – Nov. 23, 2003                                                                   Worship Service – Alan Conner

 

Rom. 8:1-2

Set Free by the Spirit

 

INTRO

“Therefore” draws a conclusion based on chs. 1-7.  Those in Christ are safe and secure in the grace of God.  There is NO CONDEMNATION.    Ch. 8 will set forth the grand arguments from the apostle about the assurance of our salvation.

 

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

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

(1) v. 1 - Assertion: no condemnation for those in Christ.

 

(2) 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.

 

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

 

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

 

b) No Holy Spirit means no pleasing God (5-8).

c) Those with the Spirit have life and will put to death the deeds of the flesh (9-13).

 

 

I.  THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BEING “IN CHRIST.”

 

 

A. PROTECTION

 

B. ACCEPTANCE

 

C. INHERITANCE

 

D. ETERNAL LIFE

 

 

 

II.   WHY NO CONDEMNATION?  REASON #1: the freedom of the Spirit (Rom. 8:2).

 

 

A. What is the first reason for there being no condemnation?  “For” (Rom. 8:2) gives us the reason for “no condemnation” in v. 1.

 

Answer: THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE HAS SET US FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH (Rom. 8:2).

B. What does “law” means here?  “Law of the Spirit of life” and “law of sin and of death”?

 

1) Law of sin and of death – probably is the Mosaic law for it both reveals and provokes sin and brings the judgment of death on law breakers (3:19-20; 4:15; 5:20; 7:8, 10)

 

2) Law of Spirit of life – not Mosaic law for the Law of Moses does not set us free from the law of Moses!   The Spirit and the law are in contrast with each other.

Or many say that here it means “principle,” “authority,” “power.

 

 

C. What kind of freedom is in view here?

 

1) the freedom of sanctification.

 

But I don’t agree for these reasons:

 

a) the placement of v. 2 between Rom. 8:1 and 3 where condemnation is the issue.

 

b) if sanctification is in view in v. 2 then Paul would be saying that the reason why there is no condemnation is because of our sanctification.

 

c) the “law of sin” in 8:2 is not the same as the law of sin in 7:23.  In 7:23 it is “the law of sin which is in my members”.

 

d) Paul is saying what is true of all who are “in Christ.”

 

 

e) The Spirit has already been mentioned in 5:5 and 7:6.

 

f) The Bible does not teach perfectionism, or the carnal Christian vs Spirit filled Christian view of the Christian life.

 

 

2) the freedom of justification.

 

Robert Haldane, “There (7:23-24) he is speaking of the power of sin, which operates in believers as long as they are in this world.  Here, in reference to condemnation, he is speaking of the guilt  of sin, from which they are perfectly freed the moment they are united to the Savior.”  (Romans, p. 318-19).

 

 

D.  How does the Spirit set us free from the condemnation of law of sin and of death?

 

Spirit imparts life. John 6:63.  It is the Spirit that creates faith in our hearts that believes in Christ for justification.

 

CONCLUSION