"We are constantly being exposed to things that are untrue and impure, some of them so depraved that it is shameful even to speak of them. If we are not vigilant, we will be led into thinking excessively about them. We must resist the overexposure of our minds to these befouling influences around us. But we must do more than merely fight a defensive battle, just waiting for the enemy to attack and then seeking to repel him. We must be positive and aggressive in our stance and strategy. We must with determination concentrate on the things that are true, pure, and virtuous. We must give our minds and our thoughts to these things." So wrote John H. Skilton (Think on These Things, Baker, Grand Rapids, MI, 1972, Preface).

Christian soldiers, take heart! My old seminary professor had it right. If we are going to live a purposeful and joyful life, we are going to have to avoid negativism, and think of the great blessings of God. This was the Apostle Paul's advice, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things." (Phil 4:8)

Have you been thinking of such things lately?

Fault-finding is so easy for sinners to engage in. Sadly, we all do it. We can readily become depressed just looking at the world stage, or bemoan the aches and pains of our personal life. It is easy to find faults in others or in the church.

Paul is not telling us to turn pessimism into optimism - seeing the glass half full instead of half empty. No, the attitude for Christians is to see life realistically. It is often thought that when we think of things spiritually we are departing from reality into the realm of mysticism. The invisible things of God are the real and lasting things. The Apostle Paul said, "... we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (II Cor. 4:18)

The glass is full! The cup overflows! But the only way to see this is by faith.

Keep a proper perspective on life. The "things" that God tells us to focus on are His grace, love, and mercy. Focus on the complete redemption that Christ has accomplished for us through the cross and empty tomb. Focus on the hope that is set before us instead of the obstacles on our path. Remember who made and upholds the world. Remember who you belong to.

If we actually would occupy ourselves with meditating on the blessings of God which we have, there would be precious little time to be negative. The truth is, there would not be enough time to express our thanksgiving.

The "things" to meditate on are revealed in the Word of God. Who else could reveal such great news? If we examine the health of the world around us, it is not a pretty picture. But, we are citizens of the kingdom of heaven. And that changes everything as we view our lives.

Does that mean all our problems go away? Certainly they don't disappear. It is because of our sanctification by the Holy Spirit that we are able to see that the "sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Rom. 8:18) A part of the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us is that our minds are renewed (Rom. 12:2, Phil 4:7). Compare that with what Paul writes in Romans 8:5, "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit."

If we lived by sight and not by faith, what a dark world this would be. If we lived our life by looking at our paltry works instead of living by faith, what a negative outlook we would have. We would succumb to our doubts and fears because of our failures and sins. But we are saved and live by grace - by grace alone. Our Lord told Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (II Cor. 12:9)

If we all began now to count the many blessings of God, we would not finish in this lifetime. And there would be no time left for dwelling on the negative.

Romans 8: 1-4 Part 1

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." (Rom. 8:1-4)

A parallel passage in the Old Testament is: Psalm 34:22 "The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned."

INTRODUCTION

If you were called into a courtroom to answer charges against you for the sins of your lifetime, what would be the verdict against you? Would you be condemned, or pronounced not guilty? Would you receive a severe sentence, or be set free? What if, after the verdict and sentence were read, your former enemy stepped up and offered to take your guilt and punishment upon him so that you could go free? This is the kind of scene the Holy Spirit, through the Apostle Paul sets before us in Romans 8:1-4. Consider the context of this passage. In chapter 7, verses 14-21, the Apostle shows us how as Christians, on the one hand, we serve the law of God, but on the other hand, we are severely handicapped by our sinful nature. In verses 21 and 22, he, as a representative of all Christians, articulates the universal struggle of ever present evil, accompanied by a genuine delight in God's law. Then in 23 and 24, with all Christians, he longs for deliverance from this war and captivity. Finally, in verse 25, he, with all the saints, rejoices that, because of the Trinity's work, we will be delivered from this body of death. This chapter tells us so much about the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian. He dwells within us, gives us spiritual life, assures us of our election, calling, justification, sanctification and glorification, and intercedes with the Father on our behalf. In verses 1-4 we see that: the Spirit Produces a New Relationship to God and His Law.

Paul demonstrates this point here in two ways: 1. The verdict in our case is, not guilty! (8:1); and 2. The Spirit sets us free from the law of sin and death. (8:2)

THE VERDICT IN OUR CASE: "NOT GUILTY"

Verse 1a could be translated like this: As a result, there is no guilty verdict to those in Christ Jesus. The first word in verse 1, "therefore", points us back to verses 24-25, "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God-through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin." As a result of deliverance from this body of death through Jesus Christ our Lord-there is no condemnation for those in Him. The Greek word Paul uses for condemnation, occurs only three times in the New Testament, and only in this book, and only here and in chapter 5 where the topic is original sin. Romans 5:16, 18 says, "And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification . . . Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life." The Greek word translated condemnation carries with it the ideas of verdict, sentence, and penalty all in one word. Vines expository dictionary says it means condemnation with a suggestion of the punishment following. For the Christian, there is no damnatory sentence, no guilty verdict, no sentence from the judge, no penalty. Verse 1 explains how this can be possible. There is no universalism in the Apostle's language. This awesome promise is only to those who are in Christ Jesus.

Rejoice, dear Christian, Christ Jesus has been pronounced guilty in your place; therefore, there is no condemnation from the Judge of all the earth for you! What does it mean to be in Christ Jesus? You and I deserve the curse of God's holy Law. But Christ Jesus became a curse for us (Gal 3:13). Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree") For those in Christ Jesus, the sentence equal to an eternity in hell has been placed on Him in your place. For those in Christ Jesus, He has suffered the penalty of hell in your place. No wonder He cried out, My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Therefore, if you are in Christ Jesus by faith in Him as your Substitute, Redeemer, Savior and Lord, you need not fear and are not subject to the eternal condemnation of His law.

Paul goes on in verse one to describe one effect of this justification. Not only are justified ones under no condemnation, they also, by grace through faith, are the ones walking not according to flesh, but according to Spirit (1b). Sadly, many Bibles published in the last 100 years leave out the end of verse 1. These words do not place a condition on God's declaration of no condemnation. Paul does not say if, you do not walk according to the flesh, if you walk according to the Spirit, then there is no condemnation for you. Keeping the law cannot save us from God's wrath, and in Christ, the law no longer condemns us. Rather, the Apostle simply states a fact: those who have been declared righteous do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For those in Christ, your spiritual walk is not according to fleshly lusts as before your regeneration, because you are no longer a slave of sin. After the Spirit gives you life, there is a change in your walk. You begin to walk according to the leading, guiding, and dominating influence of the Holy Spirit. Before Christ, your flesh led you, guided you and dominated you. But in Christ Jesus, His Holy Spirit has made you free from the guilt of sin and from its power to completely dominate and rule over you. Therefore, under the influence of the Spirit, you no longer delight to walk according to the flesh. Instead, by the power of the Spirit of God, you begin to live differently, slowly but surely. Justification is always accompanied by sanctification. Calvin (Institutes 3.11.6) "As Christ cannot be divided, so also these two blessings which we receive together in him are also inseparable."

Should there be anyone reading these words who is not in Christ Jesus, you are under the condemnation of God's Law as long as you refuse to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, because you are not in Christ Jesus, you have no substitute. But repent of your sins, and believe in Jesus Christ, and verse one can be your promise too!

The Spirit "Sets Us Free" From the Law of Sin and Death

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of the sin and of the death." (Rom. 8:2)

The one Greek word translated has made me free in the New King James version is a word used to draw a contrast with slavery. Slaves belong to others, not to themselves. Yet, freedom for the Christian does not mean the destruction of God's law, but it does mean destruction of the law of sin and death. The Law of the Holy Spirit has set us free in Christ Jesus. So, we see another law here in Romans. First, in Romans 7, we heard about the law of God, and secondly, the law of sin and death. Here, in Chapter 8, the Apostle mentions this law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. Paul uses the word Spirit three times in verses 4-6, each time referring to the Holy Spirit. Let's take it one step at a time.

1. The Holy Spirit is the giver of spiritual life; He regenerates us, making us alive in Christ.

2. The Holy Spirit applies the work of Christ to every facet of the sinner's being-his thoughts, words, actions, emotions, will, mind, and heart.

3. As Professor Hendriksen says in his commentary on Romans, "By the law of the Spirit of Life Paul means the forceful and effective operation of the Holy Spirit in the hearts and lives of God's children."

4. This law of the Spirit of Life is the exact opposite of the law of sin and death.

5. Like the law of gravity: this law of the Spirit is powerful, and has certain effects upon the justified sinner.

6. This Spirit of life is IN Christ Jesus. He gives us life because of what Jesus accomplished by His atonement. The Spirit of life sets you free because of your union with Christ. Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free; but you are not free to do whatever you wish-that is anarchy against the Lawgiver. You and I have been set free to serve the Triune God without the restrictions of time, because the law of death will not diminish our freedom in Christ. In fact, death will only intensify our relationship with Him and our freedom to commune with Him. Similarly, you and I have been set free to serve God without the same restraints we knew when the law of sin had complete dominion over us. Having been set free by the law of the Spirit of life, our wills, minds, emotions and desires have been renewed and given abilities we never possessed while we were enslaved by sin and doomed to eternal death. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death

Consider the portrait the Apostle has painted of you as a true Christian. On the one hand, you cannot lead a sinless life, because you are still a sinner. Romans 7:14, "For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin..." "But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. On the other hand there is no condemnation for you, because the Spirit of Life has set you free from sin and death." (7:23) Let me quote Hendriksen again:

"I am a free person, for though Satan tries with all his might and trickery to keep me from doing what is right-such as trusting God for my salvation, invoking him in prayer, rejoicing in him, working for his causes, etc., he cannot throughout stop me from doing so.

He cannot completely prevent me from experiencing the peace of God that transcends all understanding. The sense of victory, which I possess in principle even now and will possess in perfection in the future, sustains me in all my struggles. I rejoice in the freedom which Christ has earned for me!"

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. (Gal. 5:1)

It is the Holy Spirit who produces a new relationship to God and His Law

1. The verdict in our case is, not guilty!

2. The Spirit sets us free from the law of sin and death.

"Sing, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away your judgments, He has cast out your enemy. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; You shall see disaster no more. (Zeph. 3:13, 14)