Romans 8:1-11
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of Life set me free from the law of sin and death. 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, 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. 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. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. 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. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of your sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.
Devotion
Here Paul is telling us that overcoming the sin problem inside of us is a matter of setting our minds on what the Spirit desires. Every day we must surrender our will/ways to God. This is a daily process. We will struggle back and forth, but God has equipped us with His Spirit. Allowing the Spirit of God to control our thoughts and actions is key. Both salvation and sanctification come through Christ.
Questions to Ponder:
How many times is the Spirit mentioned in these verses? What is Paul telling us about overcoming the sin problem inside of us? Why is surrender so difficult? What area of your life are you struggling to surrender to God today?
Prayer Points
- Praise the Good Shepherd. Worship the Lamb of God, the Sin Bearer, Messiah, and Teacher.
- Ask the LORD to enable you to keep short accounts by the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Ask the LORD Almighty to help you yield to Him, listen, and obey.
Suggested Prayer
Father in heaven, by Your Holy Spirit I ask that You would infill me by Your Holy Spirit to walk in the truth, walk in the footsteps of faith, to bring You glory and honor in my thoughts, in my heart, and in my life. Keep me and Your church dependent upon You, LORD. I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.