The Spirit of Christ

Bible Text: Romans 8:9-11 | Preacher: Alan Conner | Series: 2004, Romans

INTRO
Paul signals a change in direction with the “however,” or “but” in v. 9. He had been describing the deadness of the mind of the flesh, of those who are unregenerate, but now he turns his thoughts back to the Christians at Rome. The “you” is emphatic in contrast to those who cannot please God.

Paul’s concern here is to set forth the relationship of the Spirit to every believer.

A. THE SPIRIT’S RELATIONSHIP TO CHRIST

1) The Spirit and the Trinity.

The “Spirit of God” refers to the third member of the Holy Trinity, God the Spirit who shares in all the fulness of the Godhead equally with the Father and the Son. The Spirit is one of the blessed persons of the Trinity that make-up our ONE and only God.

The Spirit is not a mere force but a Person who has personality like the Father and the Son.

2) The designation of “the Spirit of Christ” (v. 9).

a) The Spirit is sent by Christ. Jn. 14:26; 16:7; Acts 2:33.

b) The Spirit imparts Christ’s truth to us. Jn. 14:26; 16:13-14.

c) The Spirit reproduces Christ in us. Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18.

d) The Spirit communicates Christ’s presence to us. Rom. 8:10; Jn. 14:18.

B. THE SPIRIT’S RELATIONSHIP TO THE CHRISTIAN.

1) The Spirit dwells in every Christian (v. 9).

2) The Christian is “in the Spirit” (v. 9). If (not expressing doubt but assuming the reality of, “since”), the Spirit dwells in a person, then that person is also in the Spirit.

What mean to be “in the Spirit?” In the sphere of the Spirit. = Under the dominion, and direction, of the Spirit, and having the power of the Spirit in one’s life.

Thus, the Spirit is in us, we are in the Spirit. This relationship suggests INTIMACY, CLOSENESS, UNION, SECURITY, PROTECTION.

3) Those who have the Spirit belong to Christ (v. 9). NASB and KJV have “Him,” which is literal Greek and the NIV gives the correct interpretation for it refers to Christ.

Only those who have the Spirit belong to Christ, are in His covenant family, and are His bride, His sheep, His body, His child.

4) Though our body is dead because of sin, our spirit is alive because of righteousness (v. 10).     Difficult to interpret.

What is the meaning of the “body is dead because of sin?”. Some say physical death, or doomed to die because the wages of sin is death. Others say moral death similar to Rom. 7:24 where it refers to the lingering influence of indwelling sin in the believer’s life.

What is the meaning of the “spirit is alive because of righteousness?” KJV has “Spirit is life.” But it seems appropriate that Paul would contrast our physical body with our inner spirit rather than with the HS. So, either the human spirit has been made alive because of Christ’s righteousness and death on the cross which secures the gift of righteousness for those who believe (Rom. 5:17-18). Or the Spirit is life as in 8:2 and conveys eternal life to us because of imputed righteousness.

5) The body of Christian will be raised from the dead by the Spirit (v. 11). If you have the Spirit you have the guarantee of a future resurrection. Rom. 8:23. Notice future tense “will give life to your mortal body.” 1 Cor. 15:52-57.

CONCLUSION