The Epistle to the Romans
Lesson 14
Righteousness Realized

Reading Assignment: Romans 8

Introduction
It is widely acknowledged that the lesson you are about to study involves the greatest chapter in all of scripture. Without question, Romans is the clearest and most comprehensive presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ! And Romans 8 is the crowning aspect of that gospel.

Realizing the depth of this glorious chapter, we are devoting lessons 14 and 15 to its explanation. This lesson will cover Romans 8:1-17. Lesson 15 will then be concerned with the balance of the chapter.

Importance of this Lesson

• It is important to see that in this chapter the apostle Paul pulled back the curtain and revealed in Romans for the first time the ministry and power of the Holy Spirit. Only once before, in Romans 5:5, is the Holy Spirit so much as mentioned. Now, in this chapter, He is mentioned 19 times. Why?
• Remember that up to now, Paul had been writing about our justification, by imputed righteousness through the shed blood and substitutionary death of Christ (Romans 3:21-5:11), and of our sanctification through our total union with Christ (Romans 5:12-7:6).
• Here, in this remarkable chapter, he was calling attention to the POWER we need to live justified and sanctified lives.

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The Lesson

I. SOME CONSIDERATIONS ABOUT ROMANS 8 – RIGHTEOUSNESS – found 36 times in Romans. Righteousness is what Paul declared and explained throughout the epistle.

1. Keeping in mind the suggested outline in lesson 2, in this chapter we have:
   1. Righteousness Realized – Romans 8:1-17.
   2. Righteousness Perfected – Romans 8:18-39.
2. A basic outline for the entire chapter might well be:
   1. God’s POWER to live a justified, sanctified life – the Holy Spirit – Romans 8:1-17.
   2. God’s PROMISE of future glory – Romans 8:18-25.
   3. God’s PURPOSE in His election of grace – Romans 8:26-30.
   4. God’s PRESENCE to preserve us inseparably and eternally – Romans 8:31-39.
3. In Christian experience, this chapter comes AFTER:
   1. The work of Christ on the cross on our behalf – Romans 3:24-26.
   2. Sin has been judged and put away – Romans 5:8-10.
   3. All who believe in Christ are reckoned to have died with Him to sin and the law, to have been buried with Him and to have risen with Him to newness of life – Romans 6:3-4.
4. In this chapter, the believer is seen as:
   1. “Under grace” and no longer under bondage or in debt to the law – Romans 8:2
   2. God’s elect involved in a glorious purpose – Romans 8:28-29.
   3. Having “arrived” at home – at last!
      (Know each reference and what it shows about the believer.)
      1. His sins are gone – Romans 5:20.
      2. The law is behind him – Romans 6:14.
      3. He is now forgiven, redeemed, and justified – Romans 3:23-26
      4. He is now accepted as a full son of God and an heir to all or God’s riches and glory – Romans 8:14-18.
      5. He is now inseparably united to Christ – Romans 8:35-39.

II. EXPOSITION OF ROMANS 8:1-17
With a desire to simplify the meaning of the truths involved, we are presenting the following outline for this section of the chapter:

• Cancelled Condemnation – Romans 8:1
• Complete Control – Romans 8:2-4
• Clear Contrasts – Romans 8:5-14
• Confirmed Children – Romans 8:15-17

1. Cancelled Condemnation – Romans 8:1 – There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…. The phrase who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit is not in the original Greek text, but was added later by a copyist. Our position and security “in Christ” do not depend upon our “walk” but upon God’s sovereign grace and purpose. The words are rightly inserted in Romans 8:4 where the fulfillment of the righteousness of the law is dependent upon our walking after the Spirit.
   1. …no condemnation…in Christ Jesus…, is a clear statement of fact and needs no qualification or amplification.
   2. What glorious news for the trembling but trusting soul. The prisoner of fear has now been released without charge of guilt. The record of sin and failure has been expunged. All fear of condemnation is gone.
   3. Not fully understanding grace, you might FEEL condemned, but what counts are not your feelings but God’s sure WORD.
   4. No condemnation – why?
      1. God says so!
      2. Our sin have been judged and removed by the substitutionary and vicarious work of Christ (which means in my place and on my behalf).
      3. Paul stated seven times that righteousness has been imputed to us on the basis of simple faith. (See Romans 8:4 for one of these.)
      4. The law has been fulfilled in Christ. Its just demands have been met on our behalf. Its curse has been removed and we are now under grace (Romans 6:14).
      5. Because now we are in Christ Jesus. This is what we often refer to as a “Paulinism.” It is one of his favorite phrases found 28 times in Ephesians alone.
      6. How did we get to be “in Christ?”
         1. The Holy Spirit baptized us into Christ – 1 Corinthians 12:13; Romans 6:1-4.
         2. By death, burial, and resurrection
            1. We were crucified with Him – Galatians 2:20.
            2. We were buried with Him – Romans 6:1-4.
            3. We are now “risen with Him” – Colossians 3:1.
      7. And, by His marvelous grace, there we are today, seen and accepted by God as being “in Christ Jesus.”
         h. Paul wrote to the Ephesians that we are now “accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6), we are seated with Him “in heavenly places” (Ephesians 2:6), where all we have as believers – our hope, security, safety, preservation, acceptance, assurance and hope – are not the result of WHAT we are but WHERE we are.
2. Complete Control – Romans 8:2-4
   1. The Bible presents redemption as being by blood and power.
      1. Israel was redeemed by blood – Exodus 12:12-14.
      2. Israel was redeemed by power – Exodus 14:1-31.
      3. In Romans 3:21-5:11 we have redemption by blood.
      4. In Romans 8:2-4 we have redemption by power.
   2. It is important to learn the various ways Paul used the word LAW in Romans.
      1. The law of faith – Romans 3:27
      2. The law of the mind – Romans 7:23
      3. The law of sin – Romans 7:23,25
      4. The law of Moses – Romans 3:19 (the Ten Commandments)
      5. The law of the Spirit of Life – Romans 8:2
   3. In every reference to law, with the exception of the Ten Commandments, Paul used the word as meaning a uniform, governing and controlling principle.
   4. Romans 8:2 – For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus….
      1. The word for could be translated “because.” The word is found 17 times in this chapter and always gives the reason for the statement just made.
      2. Here is a uniform, consistent, dependable, controlling principle in the life of every born-again believer.
      3. Here is a law that frees us from condemnation.
      4. Here is RIGHTEOUSNESS REALIZED.
      5. Here is POWER – power to set us free from the condemnation and the controlling influence of sin and to make the LIFE that is IN CHRIST and the righteousness imputed to us by grace a reality in our daily experience.
   5. Romans 8:2 – free from the law of sin and death.
      1. Here we have a uniform governing principle that reigns in the body of all unbelievers, controlling their behavior.
      2. Paul referred to law in Romans 7:23 where he says it has power to enslave or hold us in captivity. This is true of all that are not “in Christ.”
   6. Romans 8:3 – For what the law could not do….
      1. This is the Law of Moses. The weakness of our flesh under the control of the law of sin, made it impossible for us to fulfill the righteousness of God.
      2. God had to find another way.
         1. He SENT His Son – John 3:17.
         2. …in the likeness of sinful flesh… – a reference to Christ’s sinless and perfect humanity.
         3. …and FOR sin… – that is, for the purpose of destroying its power – Hebrews 9:26
         4. …condemned sin in the flesh… – that is, God judged and condemned sin at the cross and destroyed its power.
   7. Romans 8:4 – That the righteousness of the law….
      1. Here Paul was not writing about imputed righteousness which we have by faith
         (Romans 3:22). That is positional and God sees us clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Here Paul had in mind practical righteousness – the practice of obeying what God has commanded.
      2. God has never surrendered His standards. The LAW, even today, reveals His righteous will.
      3. The problem is HOW? How can we do what the “flesh” can never do (Romans 8:3)? By walking after the Spirit. The word after is “kata” in the Greek and means “under domination” or “control.” So, by walking in the complete control of the Holy Spirit the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us.
3. Clear Contrasts – Romans 8:5-14
   1. Romans 8:5 – Here is the contrast between the flesh and the Holy Spirit and those who are controlled by one or the other.
      1. Remember the word after means “dominated” or “controlled by.” The flesh controls a sinner. The Spirit controls a born-again believer.
      2. In relation to the contrast of the flesh and the Spirit, please read Galatians 5:19-23.
      3. The words “do mind” mean that one deliberately sets his mind to!
      4. Everyone’s mind is set to obey the flesh or the Spirit.
   2. Romans 8:6 – Here is the contrast between the carnal-minded and the spiritually minded. To set ones mind on carnal or fleshly things is certain death both now and forever. Outside of Christ, all
      are “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). If such a one dies without Christ, eternal death awaits him (Revelation 20:14). Those “in Christ” who walk after the Spirit, possess and enjoy the
      fullness of Christ’s life (1 John 5:12; John 1:16,10:28), and His peace which “passes understanding” (Philippians 4:7; John 14:27).
   3. Romans 8:7 – To be without Christ, to walk after the flesh and mind the things of the flesh is certain death BECAUSE:
      1. Such a mind is enmity against God. It actually wars against God (Romans 7:23).
      2. Such a mind is not subject to the will of God. It is stubborn, rebellious, hostile and unwilling to obey.
      3. Such a mind can never obey the law of God.
   4. Romans 8:8 – So then they that are in the flesh (unsaved) cannot please God. No charitable contributions, no religious rites, no noble deeds for humanity, no skills, talents or intellectual prowess can attain or merit salvation. Ponder the absolute impossibility of gaining God’s favor or attaining heaven without being “in Christ.”
   5. Romans 8:9 – But ye are not in the flesh…. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
      1. Here is contrast between those who possess the Holy Spirit and those who do not.
      2. Here is a KEY verse, a tremendous verse – a verse to which all born-again believers in Christ can look with assurance and joy. What does it say?
         1. It clearly says that in Romans 8:5-8 Paul contrasted believers and unbelievers, sinners and saints, those who submit to the control of the flesh and those who submit to the control of the Spirit, etc. But YE are not in the flesh…. “if so be” has the idea of “since” and should read “since the Spirit of God dwells in you.”
         2. It clearly states that if you are a Christian, the Holy Sprit dwells in you (Romans 8:16).
         3. It says finally that if the Holy Spirit is not in you, you are without Christ and unsaved.
   6. Romans 8:10 – And if Christ be in you… The “if” is not meant to convey a doubt. It is clear from verse 9 that the meaning is “since Christ is in you.”
      1. Verse 1 announces the wonderful truth that we are in Christ. Read Colossians 1:28 and 2 Corinthians 5:17.
      2. In this verse, Paul declares an even more glorious fact – Christ lives in us! The Holy Spirit makes the presence of Christ in us a reality. Read Colossians 1:27, Galatians 2:20, and 2 Corinthians 13:5.
      3. Paul wrote of this blessed fact as “the riches of the glory of this mystery.” It reveals our perfect and complete union with Christ. I am His and He is mine. I am in Him and He is in me.
      4. …the body is dead because of sin… Remember, our bodies have not yet been redeemed (Romans 8:23)...the law of sin… is still in my members (Romans 7:23). All death, physical and spiritual, results from sin. The body is dead to God and to all things spiritual. The body will die physically (Ezekiel 18:4,20; Romans 6:23).
      5. …but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. It is the ministry of the Spirit to give life (John 6:63). Through the Holy Spirit our spirits come alive (John 3:6; Romans 8:16), and Christ’s righteousness is made ours by faith (1 Corinthians 1:30; Romans 4:5). That righteousness is REALIZED in and through our spirits by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:4).
      6. This verse clearly contrasts our spiritually dead bodies with our living spirits.
   7. Romans 8:11 – Here is a positive statement that the same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead bodily (Romans 1:4; 1 Peter 3:18) will someday give life to our mortal bodies and raise us physically from the grave. This will complete our redemption (Romans 8:23).
   8. Romans 8:12-13 – Paul said, “I am debtor” (Romans 1:14). We all are in debt to God for His grace and to Christ for His great sacrifice and salvation. But we owe the flesh nothing so we
      should not obey its desires (Galatians 5:24). By the power of the Holy Spirit we can “mortify,” put to death or reckon as dead the old body of sin (Romans 6:11-13; Colossians 3:5-17). Here, again, is a contrast between mere professors who claim to have the Spirit but walk after the flesh,
      and those who are truly born-again and walk after the Spirit. “Ye shall die” or “ye shall live.” What a contrast!
   9. Romans 8:14 – For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, THEY are the sons of God. Here is evidence that genuine Christians do not walk after the flesh! Praise God for the day by day leadership of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
4. Confirmed Children – Romans 8:15-17
   This precious passage of scripture views all believers as children of God. What does it say?
   1. That we have “received the Spirit of adoption.” All true believers are children of God in two ways:
      1. Officially by adoption – Galatians 4:1-7.
      2. By regeneration through the Holy Spirit – John 3:5-6; 1 Peter 1:22-23; Titus 3:5.
   2. As a child of God “we cry Abba Father.” Note Galatians 4:6-7. “Abba” is a Hebrew word. The word for father is pateer, a Greek word. In Christ, the wall of partition is broken down (Ephesians 2:14-16). Believing Jews and Gentiles are now one in Christ. Christ used this expression in Mark 14:36. “Abba” suggests the cry of a child who recognizes his father for the first time. Note again Galatians 4:6-7.
   3. That our spirits are assured of salvation by the Spirit Himself (Romans 8:16). We now have a two-fold blessed assurance. Having received the word (Acts 2:41), we have the assurance of that word within us (1 John 5:10-11). Now, additionally, God sends His Spirit into our hearts, witnessing to us and assuring us personally and directly that we are children of God.
   4. Romans 8:17 is so overwhelming it is difficult to comprehend. We are vile, unworthy sinners, saved by God’s infinite grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). Yet, because we are children of God, we are His heirs. Unworthy as we are, all that God owns awaits our enjoyment. But to add that we are “joint heirs with Christ” makes our future joy incomprehensible. God, in His great love and grace, makes us equal heirs with the King of kings and Lord of lords, the truly righteous One who alone is worthy. If so be that we suffer does not limit future glory to those who endure particular suffering. Romans 5:2, 2 Thessalonians 1:10, and Colossians 3:4 make it clear that we all will share in Christ’s glory. As a member of Christ’s body (1 Corinthians 12:26), we all share in the sufferings of that body wherever and whenever it occurs.

Examination

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