Sunday Life in the Spirit Discussion Review - 2-19-23
Our discussion this last Sunday was on Life in the Spirit, taking a detour from the Matthew series. It was a very enlightening discussion looking at the believer’s justification in spite of their sins that is possible only through Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1–11 (ESV)
Life in the Spirit
8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 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 set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
The big thing that always stands out when reading this passage is that “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” because once understanding the reality of our sin, it is a relief that the gift of faith leading one to Christ is the only possible way out from under that unpayable debt. And since that is the case, why do we even try to succeed apart from Jesus by trying to be good enough or serve enough to earn a way out from the condemnation? It would seem that it’s human nature, the sinful flesh as Paul puts it, to think that “If I messed it up, I can fix it,” even though the reality is there’s no hope inside ourselves because of the fallen nature of the flesh. Verse 8 does not mince words at all in regards to that reality: “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”
So since there’s no hope apart from the Holy Spirit, what does that look like? Paul tells us that also in 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV) “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Christ switched places with us, taking our identity as sinners, paying our debt, and not only erasing the debt, but reconciling us back into a relationship with our Creator (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).
One big take away that we shouldn’t miss, is we are not supposed to navigate this on our own, and that is in regards to both dependance on the Holy Spirit, and on others. “The Spirit who raised Jesus transforms believers’ everyday lives (v. 11) as he “dwells” among God’s people and in their personal spheres” [GTB]. So as the Spirit transforms you individually, you then can be used by the Spirit to pour into others.
James 5:16 (ESV) “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” This passage is pointing us not inward to battle this out on our own, but outward towards one another to lift each other up as we battle the temptations and pull of our sinful flesh, and turn our hearts and minds towards our Savior together.
This is why Christian community is so important, and one of the most practical things the church has to offer the world besides the Gospel (obviously). But of course the validity and effectiveness of the church community is built on and fueled by the Gospel transformation in the lives of the community. As we continue to have our hearts and minds transformed by the indwelling of the Spirit of life and our flesh loses its grip on us over time, we become an even more effective and inviting Kingdom community that isn’t just a club of friends, but brothers and sisters pouring into each other and going to battle with one another as we pray for each other and bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).
That is our prayer for the community of CityPoint. As we finish our time in Des Moines and move onto the next chapter in a family and ministry, we are thankful for the family of faith that is consistently shown in the CityPoint Church community. That is what drew us to jump in and serve with you all 4 years ago, and in the midst of the ups and downs of those years, this church family was here for us, and it was an honor to be there for you as well. It has also been a blessing for me to be able to serve you all through writing articles and devotionals here, and preaching and teaching in church and small groups. Thank you for letting us serve with you and for serving with us, as we all fight the good fight of bringing the light of the Gospel into the world. May CityPoint and its people continue to be Gospel driven disciples as they love and serve the DSM area.
God Bless,
Matthew, Keeva, Valor and Asa O’Mealey
O’Mealey Family