Only Christ - Rom. 8:1-11

I have decided to do a small, in-depth meditation on Romans Chapter 8. Romans itself is a powerful book, and personally, I love this chapter because it covers many deep theologies. Now, I am no theologian so remember that the things posted here are simply from my meditations. You can take them for what their worth. I write for myself more than anything because it helps clear my thoughts. My posting is only because I hope they can help someone out there.

I first read Vv. 1 - 11. I am going to break them down one by one.

"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 (v. 1)." I want to focus on the first phrase primarily (before the comma), mainly because this is the "meat" of the verse, and also because the earliest manuscripts do not have the following phrase. Anyways, this first phrase is part of the founding thought of the Church! The whole reason for the Gospel of Jesus Christ (which actually means "Good News"!) is that there is no condemnation for our sins! The word condemnation entails a judgment that we are in the wrong and will have to pay our due because of it. What Paul says here is that there is none of that for the one who believes! Profound! Because of my belief and faith put into Christ Jesus, all of my sins (past, present, AND future!) are forgiven 100%. There is NO condemnation...

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death (v. 2)." Paul continues by explaining this a little further. Through the law, we only received because it was through the law that we sin. You see if it wasn't for the law, I wouldn't know that anything against it would be sin, so therefore sin is dormant. However, I do know what I am and am not supposed to do, therefore I am held accountable. Because I have ultimately failed (many times, to be frank), I am therefore a sinner. And that sin has a hold on me because the price of sin is death (6:23) and it wants its due. However, because of my faith in Christ and because there is no condemnation, I am set free from not only my payment of death, but also the hold sin has on my Spirit.

"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, (v. 3)" Paul reiterated two things here: (1) our flesh keeps us from coming to God because it is IMPOSSIBLE for us to sinless our whole loves, because our flesh is way too weak; and (2) since we couldn't do it on our own, God sent His beloved, only begotten Son to pay the price for us just so we could be free, because He loved us so much that He couldn't stand to watch us be in bondage and condemned to Hell for all eternity. So, Christ not only saved us from our condemnation, He condemned sin while being in the flesh of a human! It is the ultimate irony and paradox.

"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 (v.4)." I want to only focus on the first part because the next is covered in the next few verses. The Law requires our utmost best and purest obedience in every area of our life. That is the "righteous requirement". We have to have pure actions, pure words, and pure thoughts, 100% of the time. We can't. That is why we HAVE to have Christ to save us from our own selves and our own sin so that we can come before God. However, Paul shows us in the second half of the verse it is ONLY for those who have put their faith in Him to be their personal Savior.

"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. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (v. 5-6)". The basic difference between a true believer and an unbeliever goes all the way to the heart. Those that are only focused on themselves, and do not give any thought to God are the ones who have their minds on the flesh. Those who live according the God, and they do the things they do for God are the ones who are spiritually minded and have life and peace. You see, it doesn't matter WHAT you do. You could be a preacher for all it matters, but if you heart is not right with God, all of it is void and you still need Christ to save you from your sin. Does this mean you are going to think on God 24/7? No. But it does mean that God has an effect on your life, the way you live, and the way you think. You suddenly find yourself doing things that you once did, but feel bad about it, and actually lose interest in it. You find yourself not thinking as harshly as you once did, or at least finding yourself trying to stop the things of your old self. All of this is evidence that you are trying to set your mind on the spiritual things and away from the flesh. It is not an instantaneous event. It is a long, long process.

"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (v. 7-8)" Paul makes a very profound statement here. The carnal, or fleshly, or worldly mind, is in enmity against God. Even if it is not giving God any thought at all, it is still at war against God. Paul says that those in the flesh CAN NOT please God, because they are still lost in their sin and sin has total control over that person. The only hope for that person is a faith in Jesus Christ.

The remaining three verses of this section reiterate the lesson learned from the last eight: Christ is our only hope. Without Him, you are utterly lost in your sin and condemned to eternity without God (Hell). However, a faith and belief in Him will cause all of your condemnation to be filled, and you will be set free from your condemnation and sins hold on your life. Again, this ONLY comes through Jesus Christ - no other way!