Pursuit of everlasting Joy (Part 1) - Romans 8:1-11

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Pivotal Questions:

What does it say about God?


God is a holy God. Our sin deserves punishment and judgement. However it also shows God is also a God of love and mercy that he would send his son to die so that I might be saved and live with him.

What has God decreed?


Those who set their mind on the flesh cannot hope to please God. However those who set their mind on the Spirit is given life and peace.

What does this mean for me?


Because God is a holy God, I have a God who not only loves me but who I know will never sin against me and who is absolutely perfect. If this God is a God who is for me, then who can be against me.

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Observations
  • There is no longer any condemnation for those who belong Christ
  • Because the Spirit of life has set us free in Christ from law of sin and death
    • It is impossible for us to earn our own freedom according to the law
  • By sending his own Son to this earth to die for us, he condemned the sin that we deserved
    • Because God is a holy and righteous God, the sins that we deserved were paid for and the law was still fulfilled
  • Those who live according to worldly things set their minds on earthly things, but those who live in the Spirit set their minds on things of the Spirit
  • Setting our mind on the Spirit is life and peace
  • If we set our mind on the flesh it CANNOT submit to God's law - those who are in the flesh cannot please God
  • If Christ is in us, although our bodies are dead due to sin, the Spirit in us has life because of Christ
  • The same Jesus who raised from the dead and gives us the spirit will also give us life in our bodies.
Meaning/Applications:
  • We are no longer condemned to death because of our sin if we belong to Christ
  • When my joy is hindered on my performance to earthly desires or worldly things, it will never work and I will always fail
    • Those who set their mind to worldly things cannot please God
  • Instead, when I set my mind to things of the Spirit, I will be granted life and peace


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