Title: Your Identity Determines Your Inheritance
Scripture: Romans 8:1-17
Free from Indwelling Sin
8 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who[a] do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be [b]carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the [c]carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies [d]through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Sonship Through the Spirit
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba,[e] Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Message
When our favorite sports team wins, we say, “We won!” .
What do you mean “we?”
You weren’t on the field.
You didn’t get tackled.
You didn’t throw or kick the ball.
You didn’t even score a single goal.
What do you mean “we” won?
You mean that because the team you support and identify with won, you won too.
There’s an important spiritual truth here for you as the redeemed child of God.
When Jesus died, you died with Him.
When Jesus arose, you arose with Him to “walk in the newness of life” (Romans 6:4)
The difference between you and the team that won is that you will never actually be part of it.
But when Jesus won at the cross and you accepted Him as your Savior, God positioned you “in Christ.”
Today He sees you clothed in the righteousness of Christ (See 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Paul explains it this way: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.”
Did you get that?
As a redeemed child of God, you are an “heir” of everything your heavenly Father is owns.
And it gets better; you’re also a “joint heir with Christ,” meaning that whatever Jesus is entitled to, you are also entitled to.
When you understand this truth and begin to walk according to it, you start to identify and claim the blessings God has promised you in His Word.
These blessings include such things as grace, forgiveness, healing, provision, guidance, strength, etc.
Your identity in Christ entitles you to all these things.
Let’s take a deeper dive into this…
Free from Indwelling Sin
8 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who[a] do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Reflection: (Romans 8:1)
“Not guilty; let him go free.”
What would those words mean to you if you were on death row?
The fact is that the whole human race is on death row, justly condemned for repeatedly breaking God’s holy law.
Without Jesus we would have no hope at all.
But thank God!
He has declared us not guilty and has offered us freedom from sin and power to do His will.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
Reflection: (Romans 8:2)
This life-giving Spirit is the Holy Spirit.
He was present at the creation of the world (Genesis 1:2), and he is the power behind the rebirth of every Christian.
He gives us the power we need to live the Christian life (See John 3:6, Acts 1:3. Acts 1:4-5. Acts 1:5).
3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,
Reflection: (Romans 8:3)
Jesus gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins.
In Old Testament times, animal sacrifices were continually offered at the Temple.
The sacrifices showed the Israelites the seriousness of sin: Blood had to be shed before sins could be pardoned (See Leviticus 17:11).
But the blood of animals could not really remove sins (Hebrews 10:4).
The sacrifices could only point to Jesus’ sacrifice, which paid the penalty of all sins.
4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be [b]carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Reflection: (Romans 8:5-6)
Paul divides people into two categories:
- Those who are dominated by their sinful nature
- Those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit.
All of us would be in the first category if Jesus hadn’t offered us a way out.
Once we have said yes to JEsus, we will want to continue following Him, because His ways brings life and peace.
Daily we must consciously choose to center our life on God.
Use the Bible to discover God’s guidelines, and then follow them.
In every perplexing situation, ask yourself, “What would Jesus want me to do?”
When the Holy Spirit points out what is right, do it eagerly. (For more on our sinful nature versus our new life in Christ see Romans 6:6-8; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:3-15)
7 Because the [c]carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.
Reflection: (Romans 8:9)
Have you ever worried about whether or not you really are a Christian?
A Christian is anyone who has the Spirit of God living within.
If you have sincerely trusted Christ for your salvation and acknowledge Him as Lord, then the Holy Spirit lives inside you and you are a Christian.
You can be assured that you have the Holy Spirit because Jesus promised that He would send Him.
Since you now believe that Jesus Christ is God’s Son and that eternal life comes through Him (1 John 5:5), you will:
- Begin to act as Christ directs (Romans 8:26-27).
- Find help in your daily problems and in your praying (Romans 8:26-27).
- Be empowered to serve God and do His will (Acts 1:8; Romans 12:6).
- Become part of God’s plan to build up His church (Ephesians 4:12-13).
10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies [d]through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Reflection: (Romans 8:11)
The Holy Spirit is God’s promise or guarantee of eternal life for those who believe in Him.
The Spirit is within us now by faith, and by faith we are certain to live with Christ forever (Romans 8:23; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 2 Corinthians 4:!4; 1 Thessalonians 4:14).
Sonship Through the Spirit
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Reflection: (Romans 8:13)
When we turn away from sin’s appeal in the Holy Spirit’s power, regarding sin as dead, we can ignore temptation when it comes (See Romans 6:11; Galatians 5:24).
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba,[e] Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Reflection: (Romans 8:14-17)
Paul uses adoption to illustrate the believer’s new relationship with God.
In Roman culture, the adopted person lost all rights in their old family and gained all the rights of a legitimate child in the new family, becoming a full heir.
Likewise, when a person becomes a Christian, they gain all the privileges and responsibilities of a child in God’s family.
One of these outstanding privileges is being led by the Spirit (See Galatians 4:5-6).
We may not always feel as though we belong to God, but the Holy Spirit is our witness.
His inward presence reminds us of who we are and encourages us with God’s love (Romans 5:5).
Reflection: (Romans 8:14-17)
We are no longer like “fearful slaves”; instead, we are the Master’s children.
What a privilege!
Because we are God’s children, we share in great treasures as co-heirs.
God has already given us his best gifts: His Son, His Holy Spirit, forgiveness, and eternal life; and he encourages us to ask Him for whatever we need.
Reflection: (Romans 8:17)
There is a price for being identified with Jesus.
Along with being “heirs of God’s glory,” Paul also mentions the suffering that Christians must face.
What kinds of suffering are we to endure?
For first-century believers, there was economic and social persecution, and some even faced death.
We, too, must pay a price for following Jesus.
In many parts of today’s world, Christians face pressures just as severe as those faced by Christ’s first followers.
Even in countries where Christianity is tolerated and encouraged, Christians must not become complacent.
To live as Jesus did:
- Giving up one’s rights.
- Resisting pressures to conform to the world
These always exacts the same price.
But nothing we suffer can compare to the great price that Jesus paid to save us.