Romans 8:5-17 The Holy Spirit

“You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” Rom 8:9

As we are perched on this summit chapter (ch.8) in Romans, let’s take a moment and gaze down on the path that has brought us here, after all that is part of the “summit” experience.

1:1-15 Introduction
1:16-17 Theme: Righteousness from God (NIV Study Bible)
1:18-3:20 Sin and Judgment
3:21-5:21 Justification and Its Benefits
6:1 – 8:5 Personal Conduct

Intimated in the discussion of personal conduct (6:1-8:5) and what it means to be a Christian is the idea of transformation. God gave us the Holy Spirit who is the law in life form. When I say “law” here, think of the 10 commandments. The Holy Spirit is the 10 commandments full of life. Romans 8 talks of having the Spirit of Christ. Read the gospels and see the excellent life of the One we love. He was the 10 commandments alive and visible. The Spirit of Him indwells us and the evidence of His life is visible. People will see you living the 10 commandments from the heart not out of fear and slavery but in “life and peace” (v.6).

The Holy Spirit works in our mind and the transformation begins inward and works its way outward. “…the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;…” (v.6) The Holy Spirit empowers you to obey your new master and to not obey your old master, sin. (v.13)

The benefits of the Holy Spirit go beyond transformation to creating a Father-son relationship with God. By this Spirit, we are now children of God. The Spirit has made it our nature to call God, Daddy! Do you suppose we’re in line for a nice inheritance? I should say so! I’m getting dizzy…I think the altitude is getting to me!