ROMANS 17
We will begin this lesson in Romans 8:1 "[There is] therefore
now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not
after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
So many Christians want to stop with the statement There is
therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.) This
statement is true only, if the last part of this statement is kept.
Salvation is a daily walk. There is no condemnation in righteousness.
If we walk in righteousness, not after the flesh but after the Spirit
of God there is no condemnation. To preach that Christians are above
condemnation when they are living like the world is in error. If you
are walking in the Spirit of God, there is nothing to condemn you for.
In I Peter 1:15 "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye
holy in all manner of conversation;" I Peter 1:16 "Because it is
written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." II Corinthians 5:7 "(For we walk
by faith, not by sight:)"
Romans 8:2 "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath
made me free from the law of sin and death."
We see in Galatians chapter 5 verse 1 where Jesus has changed us
and allowed us to walk in Him. Galatians 5:1 "Stand fast therefore in
the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled
again with the yoke of bondage." Also 1st Corinthians chapter 15
verse 45 speaks of death through the first Adam and life through the
second Adam (Jesus Christ). I Corinthians 15:45 "And so it is written,
The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a
quickening spirit." Verse 50 of this same chapter tells us that flesh
and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Our flesh will die so
that our spirit may live.
Romans 8:3 "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak
through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful
flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:"
We see in 1st Peter chapter 2 just exactly what Jesus did for us
on that cross. I Peter 2:21 "For even hereunto were ye called:
because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye
should follow his steps:" I Peter 2:22 "Who did no sin, neither was
guile found in his mouth:" I Peter 2:23 "Who, when he was reviled,
reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed
[himself] to him that judgeth righteously:" I Peter 2:24 "Who his own
self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to
sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were
healed." We see in this that Jesus not only covered our sins, but did
away with them with his own blood, and also made healing available to
all who believe.
Romans 8:4 "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled
in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
We see from this Scripture above, that it is possible to walk in
the Spirit of God and not fulfill the desires of the flesh. This is a
state of being for all true Christians who have turned over their free
will to the perfect will of God. We, like Jesus, must come to a place
that we can say not my will be done, but thine oh Lord.
Romans 8:5 "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things
of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the
Spirit."
We cannot be flesh man and spirit man both. One spirit will rule.
In other words we cannot keep one foot in the world and one foot in
heaven. We read in Titus 2:14 "Who gave himself for us, that he might
redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar
people, zealous of good works." We, also, read just how far this
separation extends in I Peter 2:9 "But ye [are] a chosen generation,
a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should
shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into
his marvellous light:" If we would go on in chapter 2 v-10, we will
find that we who are believers in Christ are a changed people. I
Peter 2:10 "Which in time past [were] not a people, but [are] now the
people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained
mercy." This whole 2nd chapter is good to read, because it tells us
not to listen to fleshly desires, but live in God's Spirit.
Romans 8:6 "For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be
spiritually minded [is] life and peace."
Galatians 6:8 "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh
reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit
reap life everlasting." This is just one more way to say that our
flesh desires to sin and our spirit desires to please God.
Romans 8:7 "Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for
it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."
This very statement is why mind control is so bad. The mind, not
given over to the Lord Jesus Christ, truly can have power, but it is
from the wrong source. Mind power tells us that we have the power
within ourselves to bring miracles about. It really is saying we don`t
need God, we can do it ourselves. Man, since Adam and Eve, has wanted
to be a God. This is that same spirit. To truly be God's children, we
must not depend on our mind, but on the mind of Christ. I Corinthians
2:16 "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct
him? But we have the mind of Christ." The Lord Jesus must have all of
us for us to be his. Matthew 22:37 "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and
with all thy mind." Jesus went so for as to say this was the # 1
commandment. We are not to have a worldly mind, but one staid upon
God.
Romans 8:8 "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please
God."
The flesh and its desires must die so that the spirit man can
live. The flesh desires things of this earth, but the spirit is staid
upon God's will in our lives. Read 1st Corinthians chapter 15,
beginning with verse 35 to really understand about the spirit man who
lives when the flesh dies.
Romans 8:9 "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so
be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the
Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."
Galations chapter 2 verse 20 says it all. Galatians 2:20 "I am
crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ
liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the
faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." This
Spirit of Christ is the Spirit of the risen Christ (The Holy Spirit of
God). He is our teacher and our guide.
Notes
Questions 17
1. Who is there no condemnation for?
2. How are the uncondemned to walk?
3. What is a falacy that is being taught about this very thing?
4. In 1st Peter ch. 1 v-15, we are told to be ______ even as he is
____________.
5. 2nd Corinthians ch. 5 V-7 says, we walk by _______not by _______.
6. What has made me free from the law of sin and death?
7. What advice is given us in Gal. ch.5 v-1?
8. Who brought death to all mankind?
9. Who brought life for all mankind who will accept it?
10. In verse 3, we find that the law was weak, how?
11. In 1st Peter ch.12 what do we find that Jesus did for us?
12. How should Christians walk? v-4?
13. Verse 5 tells us that those after the flesh regard what?
14. In Titus ch.2 v-14 Christians are called what kind of people?
15. What wonderful things are Christians called in 1st Peter ch.2,
v-9?
16. V-6 says to be carnally minded is ___________.
17. What does being spiritually minded bring? (2 things?)
18. The carnal mind is ________ against God.
19. Why is mind control so bad?
20. What Scripture tells us that Christians have the mind of Christ?
21. What did Jesus say was the number one commandment?
22. Who cannot please God in verse 8?
23. How can we be in the spirit in verse 9?
24. What do we find is necessary to be walking with Christ in
Galatians chapter 2 verse 20?
Notes
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