Romans 7 ends with Paul crying out about his struggle with sin: who will deliver me? Romans 8 answers with a shout of victory. Many believers love this chapter because it is full of the Holy Spirit and full of hope. In these first seventeen verses Paul tells us that we are free from condemnation, that the Spirit gives us power to live for God, and that we are adopted as God’s own children. If guilt, fear or a sense of not belonging has weighed you down, this passage brings fresh air to your soul.
Free from Condemnation
Paul opens with good news: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). Condemnation is the verdict of guilty and the sentence that follows. In Christ, that verdict has been removed. The law of the Spirit of life has set us free from the law of sin and death, because God did what the law could not do. He sent His own Son and condemned sin in His flesh (Romans 8:2-3). Jesus said that whoever hears His word and believes has everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation (John 5:24). The enemy may remind you of your past, but God does not hold it against you. Conviction from the Spirit leads us to repentance and life. Condemnation drives us to hide. Learn to tell the difference.
What past failure keeps coming back to accuse you, and how will you answer it with God’s word of no condemnation this week?
Walking by the Spirit
Paul describes two ways of living: according to the flesh or according to the Spirit (Romans 8:5-6). To set the mind on the flesh leads to death, but to set the mind on the Spirit brings life and peace. Every believer has the Holy Spirit living within. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His (Romans 8:9). That same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead gives life to us. We are called to put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit (Romans 8:13). This is not done in our own strength. Paul told the Galatians to walk in the Spirit, and they would not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). We grow by staying close to Him in prayer, worship and the Word.
What do you usually fill your mind with in your free moments, and how can you turn some of that time toward the things of the Spirit?
Children and Heirs
Paul says that as many as are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God (Romans 8:14-15). We did not receive a spirit of slavery that makes us afraid again. We received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, Abba, Father. Abba is a warm family word, like Daddy. God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts so we could call Him that (Galatians 4:6). The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are God’s children, and if children, then heirs, joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16-17). Paul adds that we share His sufferings now so we may share His glory later. Whatever your earthly family story, God has made a place for you at His table. You belong.
How would praying to God as a loving Father change the way you pray about your biggest need this week?
Conclusion
Romans 8 is a song of freedom. In Christ we are free from condemnation, because Jesus bore the judgment for our sin. By the Holy Spirit we are free to live a new life, putting sin to death and setting our minds on things that bring life and peace. And through the Spirit of adoption we are free from fear, welcomed as children and heirs with Christ. All of this flows from Jesus and is made real in us by the Spirit.
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