Conflict Resolved #

Romans 8:1-4

Introduction

While Romans 8:1 is the start of a new chapter, it is not the start of a new topic. It carries over from Chapter 7, in which the great conflict within every believer is discussed. It draws to a close with the question, “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Rom 7:24.

While there is eternal deliverance in Jesus Christ through Salvation, Paul now once again makes a play on words, with condemnation. Not every time that condemnation is used in the Bible is it talking about eternal condemnation.

Condemn – 1. to pronounce to be wrong; to disapprove of 2. to declare the guilt of; to make manifest the faults or unworthiness of; to convict of guilt.

How many of your parents at some point in your life, told you that you were wrong? “raise your hand”

How many of you confess, that your parents were right? “raise your hand”…

Most of you, would say, and could say, your parent or parents loved you. Your parent didn’t disown you the first time you messed up in your life.

You were condemned (pronounced to be wrong) many times by your parents. But you never stopped being their child. - He ends the Chapter with Rom 8:38-39

Opens with No Condemnation, ends with No Separation.

NOTE: The phrase, “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” is removed, in most modern Bibles. The ESV, NIV, ASV, RSV

He does not say, "There is no accusation against them," for this there is; but the accusation is thrown out, and the indictment quashed (ie crushed). He does not say, "There is nothing in them that deserves condemnation," for this there is, and they see it, and own it, and mourn over it, and condemn themselves for it; but it shall not be their ruin. --Matthew Henry

I. Our Walk (1) #

Walking clearly refers to the actions we do.

A. How our walk changed – Salvation (2-3) #

1. Salvation made us free #

It is part of the package that you didn’t realize you received.

2. The OT Law was NOT able to save man #

Hebrews 10:1-4 – Turn & Read
- 1 - the law pointed to good that would come
- 1 - it cannot perfect people
- 2 – If they perfected, it would have ended
- 3 – It was a constant reminder of imperfection
- 4 – NO SALVATION by the law.

B. Righteousness is fulfilled in walking after the Spirit (4) #

1. Following the Spirit of God in your life, is right! #

2. The Spirit of God will never lead you contrary to the Word of God! - This cannot be stressed enough #

II. Our Mind (5-8) #

Mind – intention, purpose, inclination, desire, 6 heart or seat of affection
Set your mind to something…
- It would be the purpose or direction you are headed.
- If you set your mind to be the best football player, you are going to eat, sleep, drink, football. Everything in your being will work toward that. It is your PURPOSE.

Col. 3:1 ¶ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

A. Minding the Flesh #

1. Death (6) “carnally minded is death” #

2. Enemy to God (7) #

Enmity – a state of opposition, hostility, enemy.
Going against God!
A Child can go against his parents wishes

3. Displeasing to God (8) #

Heb. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

B. Minding the Spirit #

1. Life (6) #

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

2. Peace (6) #

Phil. 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

There is a real shortage of personal peace in peoples lives, because there is a real shortage of minds being stayed on God!

Is. 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

III. Our Position (9-10) #

A. Flesh CANNOT please God! (8) #

We can get used to things, and even grow complacent with sin, and our flesh, God never does.

B. Positionally, we are in Christ! (9) #

Eph. 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

At the moment of Salvation, you received the Spirit