Romans Part 25

Romans 8 opens with one of the Bible's most encouraging declarations:

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).

The word therefore points back to everything Paul has been building throughout Romans. Because Jesus Christ has borne the penalty for sin and because believers are justified through His sacrifice, those who are truly "in Christ Jesus" no longer stand under condemnation. The word condemnation is a judicial term, appearing only in Romans 5:16, 5:18, and 8:1. It describes the courtroom verdict of being declared guilty and sentenced to death. It stands in direct contrast to justification, where God declares the believer righteous because of Christ.

Being "in Christ Jesus" refers to genuine believers who belong to His Church. Paul also contrasts those who are "in the Spirit" with those who are "in the flesh." To be in the Spirit is to possess God's Holy Spirit and to be led by it. Galatians 5:16–24 expands on this contrast, while 1 John 2:4–6 explains that those who truly know Christ keep His commandments. Obedience does not earn salvation, but it is evidence that we abide in Christ. A transformed life demonstrates that the Holy Spirit is actively leading us. 

Paul continues by describing "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:2), which should not be understood as a brand-new law replacing God's previous law. Rather, it refers to God's law operating through the power of the Holy Spirit. It stands in contrast to "the law of sin and death," the principle of human carnality described in Romans 7:23. Through God's Spirit, believers are empowered to obey His law. Justification at baptism is not the end of the Christian life. It is the beginning of a new walk in which believers continually live according to the Spirit.

In verse 3, Paul explains that the law was "weak through the flesh." The weakness was never in God's law itself but in sinful human nature. Israel failed to keep God's commandments because they lacked the transforming power of God's Spirit, and mankind continues to fail for the same reason. The law cannot save because its purpose was never to make people righteous or impart life. Instead, Christ came to deal with the true problem by condemning sin rather than condemning us. Jesus demonstrated that perfect obedience to God's law is possible through complete submission to the Father. Today, Christ continues His work through believers by dwelling in them through the Holy Spirit. As we submit to His Spirit, Christ lives His righteous life through us, fulfilling the principle expressed in Galatians 2:20. As Galatians 3:21 also makes clear, the law was never intended to give life or produce justification. 

Paul then explains that "the righteous requirement of the law" is fulfilled in us, not merely for us. This distinction is important. God does not simply declare righteousness while leaving His people unchanged. The Holy Spirit enables believers to walk according to God's will so that His law is fulfilled in their lives. Jeremiah 31:33 anticipated this New Covenant reality when God promised,

"I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts."

The Spirit gives believers both the desire and the ability to obey God. This obedience is distinct from justification, which comes solely through Christ's sacrifice. Good works never earn salvation, but their presence demonstrates that genuine spiritual transformation has occurred. Jesus taught the same principle in John 15: those who truly abide in the vine will naturally bear fruit. If the gospel produces no change, growth, or obedience, it calls into question whether a person is truly abiding in Christ. The fruit does not save, but it does reveal the reality of one's relationship with Him.

Next, Paul focuses on the believer's mindset. Those who "set their minds" on the things of the Spirit intentionally choose what will dominate their thinking. Every person allows something to shape his or her thoughts. It may be sports, entertainment, possessions, career, or countless other pursuits, or it may be God's truth and wisdom. Philippians repeatedly emphasizes the importance of adopting the mind of Christ. Believers are called to share His mindset, pursue His values, reject worldly thinking that leads to destruction, and continually meditate on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy (Philippians 2:2–5; 3:15, 19; 4:8). 

Simply attending church or listening to sermons is a good beginning, but God desires far more than occasional moments of spiritual focus. His way of thinking must gradually shape every area of life. This does not mean Christians cannot enjoy recreation or the blessings of God's creation. Rather, every activity should ultimately glorify God. Even something as simple as a trip to the beach can either honor God or become an occasion for fleshly desires, depending on the mindset that governs the heart. The issue is not merely the activity itself but the motivation behind it. 

Verses 6 through 8 emphasize that the mind is the great battleground of the Christian life. The direction of our thinking determines the direction of our lives and ultimately leads either to life or to death. Paul connects this struggle with Romans 7:23, where he described the war between the law of the mind and the law of sin. The fleshly mind is characterized by hostility toward God. This enmity is not passive indifference but active opposition to His authority. Although people without God's Spirit may perform outwardly good and moral deeds, they remain fundamentally opposed to God's law because they have not submitted themselves to His rule. When Paul says the carnal mind "is not subject to the law of God," he does not mean that God's law no longer applies (Romans 8:7–8). Rather, he means that the natural human mind refuses to submit to God's authority and cannot truly do so apart from the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. 

Paul concludes this section by explaining that the ultimate goal of the Christian life is to please God. Only those who are living by the Spirit are able to do that. No amount of charitable works, generosity, or outward morality can substitute for wholehearted submission to God. A person may accomplish many admirable things while still rejecting God's commands. Such works cannot compensate for refusing to yield to His authority. While believers are not called to pronounce judgment on others, Scripture does teach that true obedience flows from a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit. Only those who have submitted themselves to God and walk according to His Spirit can genuinely please Him.

Epistles of Paul is a course taught at ABC by Mr. Steve Myers. Recordings from the 2023–2024 class year are available on the ABC website.

UYA Team | uya@ucg.org  

United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.