Romans 8:1-8 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Romans 8:1-8. Let’s go!
Romans 8:1 (NIV)
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
On verse 1: The word “therefore” in verse 1 connects what Paul was talking about in Romans 7 with what we’re now reading in Romans 8. In other words, when we, like Paul in Romans 7, struggle with sin, we must remember that “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (v1). In other words, in Jesus Christ we are not condemned as sinners; rather we are justified (declared righteous) by God’s undeserved kindness. To think that our biggest mistakes do not change who we are in Christ. That’s not to downplay the size of our mistakes. That’s recognizing just how powerful and unshakeable is our identity in Jesus Christ. Praise God! As Paul will write later on in Romans 8, nothing can separate us from His love – not even our worst mistakes or our biggest regrets.
When we know that in Christ Jesus there is no condemnation but instead forgiveness for us, that gives us comfort when we do sin and hope so that we can turn back to God. Even more it empowers us to live the lives God wants us to live. For it goes to show just how real and powerful is the new life we have in Christ, even more real and powerful than the sin-ridden lives we used to live. Because I know there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, I can move on to live with Jesus free from shame and empowered to live for Him.
Romans 8:2 (NIV)
2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
On verse 2: What are “the law of the Spirit of life” and “the law of sin and death”? Although Paul does not specifically define them, it is safe to conclude, based on all that Paul teaches in Romans, that the law of sin and death is that all of us are sinners who deserve to die (be eternally separated from God) because of our sin, and the law of the Spirit of life is that when we believe that Jesus is God’s atoning sacrifice for our sins, God by His Spirit declares us righteous and rescues us from the death that we deserved for our sins. In this way, the law of the Spirit of life defeats the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:3-4 (NIV)
3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man,
4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.
On verses 3-4: The law could tell us the way to live but could not make us to live it because, like gravity, our sin pulls us down. So God sent Jesus not only to tell us the way to live, but to live on our behalf the perfect life that met all of God’s requirements and to die as a sacrifice for our sins (a sin offering). Thus what the law was powerless to do (i.e. bring us into right relationship with God), God did through Jesus Christ (v3). Jesus took on our condemnation as sinners (“so he condemned sin in sinful man”) while giving His righteousness to us (“in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us” – v4).
Romans 8:5-8 (NIV)
5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;
7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.
8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
On verses 5-8: The end result of living according to our sinful nature (i.e. living with oneself at the centre) is death (v6), hostility toward God (v7), and not being able to please God (v8). In contrast, the end result of living by the Spirit (i.e. believing in Jesus Christ and accessing the blessings God has made available to us through Jesus) is life and peace (v6). A person who lives with themselves at the centre and a person living with Jesus at the centre will go in two opposite directions and end up in two very opposite destinations.
Thank You Father that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Thank You that life and peace are where You are, and now because of Jesus, that’s where I can be too. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
