To Share in His Suffering is to Share in His Glory – Surrendering my Mind to the Spirit

Hello friends and welcome back to The Book of Romans Series. Today we are exploring chapter eight. Yesterday we talked about how, because of what Christ did for us, when we do evil it is no longer us that does the evil, but it is our sinful nature. For we are no longer slaves of sin – but slaves to righteousness. Because even when we try to do good, evil is right there; so we are uncapable of doing good. Today we go through my favorite chapter of Romans where Paul talks about how, because we are no longer slaves to sin, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ; as well as life through the Spirit.

Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Verses 1-4)

If you’ve ever had this same question I had in my early years of Christianity, "Why did Christ have to die?" here is your answer in black and white (well, red in this case)

‘For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.’ (Verses 3 & 4)

There had to be an offering, a sacrifice, a blood shed (a new covenant). And when Christ was on the cross as told in Luke chapter 23:

It was now about noon, and the darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. (Verses 44 & 45)

For 3 hours there was nothing but darkness; this meant that all the sin of all time was on Jesus’ flesh. So that when He died, all sin lost its power and we were washed white by His blood – (sacrifice, offering). Also, during this time of darkness, God had to turn away from His own Son because His flesh became sin. That is why Jesus had to die for us to be saved.

As a news anchor would say, “Paul back to you.”

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. (Verses 5-8)

Because I like to make lists. Let’s do so here to try to make sense of this better:

The mind governed by flesh:

• Is set on what the flesh desires

• Is death

• Is hostile to God

• Does not submit to God’s laws (nor can it do so)

• Cannot please God

The mind governed by the Spirit:

• Is set on what the Spirit desires

• Is life

• Is peace

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. (Verses 9-11)

Even in our mortal bodies, our bodies that are tempted by sin, our bodies that are subject to death - even in those mortal bodies, God gives us life eternal (so long as we belong to Him).

Therefore, brothers and sister, we have an obligation – but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. (Verses 12 & 13)

Write that down somewhere. Put it in your pocket save it for a time when you’re really gonna need it. Oh! Sorry, I am in such a playful mood today. Okay, stop singing and keep writing, Ashley. By the way, you don’t really have to put it in your pocket, but you probably already knew that though… okay! Moving on!

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you receive brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba,” Father. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (Verses 14-17)

We are the children of God thus we are heirs. We are undeserving to even be called a servant of God – but we are His children?! Co-heirs with Christ?! Oh, how He loves us. What a good God we serve. If we share in His sufferings, we share in His glory. Just like what Paul said in a few chapters back – there is glory in the suffering. So, smile, even in the suffering. Today I surrender my mind be governed by the Spirit; so, it can be set on what the Spirit desires; instead of what I (or my flesh) desire(s).

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I know that I said this series would only be 16 parts long…but….we aren’t even half way done with this chapter and there is still so much I want to cover; and this blog is getting far too long. So, tune back in tomorrow for part two of chapter 8.