If God

Romans 8:1-17

Dr. Edwin P. Elliott

I. God’s People Won’t Perish

A. God’s people will not die eternally; the Holy Spirit works in them. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)

B. The influence of the Holy Spirit is larger than all the other influences in life. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2) “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63)

C. The substitutionary atonement accomplished what flawed human character and corrupted behavior never could. “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:” (Romans 8:3)

D. Christ substitutes His righteousness for that which people cannot supply. “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:4)

E. In consequence of the substitutionary atonement, the focus of life shifts. “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.” (Romans 8:5)

F. Life and death are present in the mind. “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6) “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.” (Galatians 6:8)

G. The inner person triumphs over the outer person. “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth
forth death.” (James 1:14-15)

H. Until the inner person comes to peace in God, there is no hope. “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:7-8)

II. God Is the Guarantor of Eternal Life

A. When the Spirit of God is not at work in people, they have no hope for the future. “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.” (Romans 8:9)

B. The human condition is irrelevant when a believer has become Christ’s. “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” (Romans 8:10)

C. The same Spirit Who raised Jesus from the dead raises the believer; the evidence of the former is the guarantee of the latter. “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” (Romans 8:11)

III. Act Like Believers

A. People who live in the world and for its objectives earn death, but those who live focused on spiritual things will live for ever. “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” (Romans 8:12-13)

B. Faithfulness to the Holy Spirit is the evidence of entering the family of God. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14) “Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.” (Isaiah 48:17)

C. The Holy Spirit causes believers to approach God as Father. “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15)

D. The Holy Spirit works inside believers, cultivating assurance. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” (Romans 8:16)

E. Believers confidently expect a place in glory. “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Romans 8:17) “Fear not, little flock; for it
is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)