Pastor Ostella

10-10-99

Introduction

We know that the fulfillment of the law in the Christian is gradual. Believers advance in holiness in stages until they reach glory. Now some people may think that this progress depends on the believer's choice or decision to either walk in the flesh or in the Spirit (end of v. 4). I want to show that this is incorrect. Granted, as a believer you have choices to make each day and you need to set your priorities in the right order, or you will let weeds grow in the garden that choke the cultivation of righteous fruits. For example, poor church attendance lets weeds crop up galore, but the matter of making wise choices is not what is in view in Romans 8:5-9. What is in view here is foundational for your daily walk. It is encouraging and enlightening. It gives much needed perspective.

Thus, the passage is not saying, "you ought to live according to the Spirit instead of according to the flesh." Rather, Paul is identifying the people in whom the righteousness of the law is being fulfilled. Therefore, verse 4 identifies them as those who in fact live according to the Spirit. What the law could not do, being weak because of the flesh, God did in Christ, who was sent on mission to condemn sin, instead of sinners, by being the sin offering in our place. His coming, His mission on earth from birth to ascension, had this goal: in order that the law be fulfilled in us who are in Christ, who have been set free by the Spirit from the law of sin and death (vs. 1-2). In other words, these thoughts are all parallel: to be in Christ (v. 1), to be set free from the law of sin and death (v. 2) and to be one who walks and lives according to the Spirit (v. 4).

So what does it mean to live according to the Spirit? It means you have life, and you have been set free from sin and death. Those who have been set free have a new place to walk around. They do not walk around in the prison camp of bondage to sin and death toward God, which is what it means to walk according to the flesh. Instead, they walk around in a new sphere in accord with the Spirit; this is outside the walls of the prison.

The contrast expressed in verse 9 is striking. On one hand there are "those who live according to the sinful nature." On the other hand, there are "those who live according to the Spirit." The Greek text here is literally "who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." The contrast is between those in the flesh and those in Christ and between those in bondage and those set free. Literally, Paul says, "you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit" (v. 9), which is equivalent to saying, "you are not in jail but you are free because of the work of the Spirit." If you are in jail, then your walk accords with that condition, it accords with the flesh. If you are in Christ, then your walk accords with that condition, its accords with the Spirit). 

Two things should be noted before we go any further. 1) The term "flesh" does not refer to the body. It refers to our disposition and inclination of heart as fallen and corrupt. So the body is not evil, but we use the members of our body for evil acts. 2) This context makes us aware of the co-work of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit: what Christ accomplished on mission from the Father, the Spirit applies. God sent His son (v. 3) and "through Christ Jesus … the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death" (v. 2). Paul then explains this difference in the walk of those in the flesh and those in Christ. The reason for explaining the differences in walking is to underpin the reality that righteousness is being fulfilled in us.  

There is a set of contrasts in verses Romans 8.5-9. These contrasts confirm and explain why it is in fact the case that righteousness is being advanced in our lives (according to v. 4, advancement in fulfilling the law is a reality, even though it may be hard for us to see). In this set of contrasts, we have 1) contrasting mindsets (v. 5), 2) contrasting results (v. 6), and 3) contrasting characters (vs. 7-9). 

1A. Contrasting mindsets (v. 5)

Literally we have "the ones whose existence accords with the flesh, set their minds on the things of the flesh, but the ones whose existence accords with the Spirit, set their minds on the things of the Spirit. So, where do you set your mind and thoughts? What do you think about? What do you care about? The answers to these questions tell the truth about your standing before God. They tell the story of the Christian verses the non-Christian. If you mind the things of the flesh, then you are in the flesh. If you mind the things of the Spirit, then you are in the Spirit. 

Both "settings of the mind" relate to a pattern of life as well as a sphere in which you live your life. What then shall we say of someone who has not read the Bible for ten or fifteen years, except perhaps hearing it read in church? There is no thought given to the meaning of Scripture, there is no study of the word, which is much, much more than hearing it read from the pulpit, and there is a mind that is not set on the things of the Spirit. This person does not view daily life through the lens of the Bible. If that is the case, then that person thinks, cares about, and minds the things of the flesh. Such a person is not a Christian.

The point being made is not so much an "ought" but a fact. This is the mindset of each, non-Christian verses Christian: The non-Christian thinks about and cares about the things of the flesh (cf. the works of the flesh stated in Gal. 5:19-21a). Even the pursuit of "good things" are done in the flesh with concern for the flesh-love for self, glory of self, and by one's own standard. When the law is taken up it is made to fit the mindset: I can love my neighbor when I define neighbor as my brother or fellow Jew verses the Gentile dog (Lk. 10:29, "who is my neighbor?). In the end, those who mind the things of the flesh "will not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:21). By contrast, those in the Spirit care about the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). The Christian cares about the things of the Spirit. He cares about things unseen and yet to come. He cares about the eternal verses the temporal, and thus he builds His treasure in heaven and is rich toward God by being rich in righteous endeavors. He walks in the light.

One might ask how this can be, given that a Christian, like anyone else, must spend much time in "secular" pursuits, as in an eight hour a day job? The Christian takes up the job in a work ethic given to him by the Lord. He commits himself gladly to work. He sees, views, and has a mindset that is Christian regarding work. He sees work as a means appointed by God for the securing of our daily bread. But he does it with other things in mind: He knows that all his work throughout the day is unto the Lord, in His presence. And he knows he is to do all his work according to God's word. The Christian cares 1) about work, 2) about doing it before God and 3) about doing it in a way that has God's approval according to His word.

Those in the flesh who mind the flesh have a different mindset about work don't they? How does this mindset manifest itself? They do not work for God in accordance with His word. Many people just tolerate work and try to get by with doing as little as possible under the eye of the boss (in a form of eye-service). If they try to put in a good days work for a good days pay, they do it for themselves and not for God or His kingdom. They do not think about the eternal pleasures but the temporal pleasures of this world. They do not look upon the things unseen as of most value; instead, they look to the things seen and cling to them for dear life as if they defined their life (cf. life is much more, Matt. 6:25). They do not look to God's law in its true spirit and intent for guidance on how to live. To say that the law is a delight is beyond their way of thinking. The law does not do for those in the flesh what it does for those in the Spirit, which is to inspire reverence for God (Ps. 139:38, 63, 79), inspire repentance (Ps. 19:7, 12; 119:25, 37, 40, 93, 107, 149), strength (119:28), peace (119:165), comfort (119:50, 52), and hope (Ps. 119:43, 114), just to name a few things from the Psalms regarding the law of God.

2A. Contrasting States (v. 6)

It is not that the flesh leads to death. Rather it is death. In what way? It is separation from God. Those who mind the things of the flesh are in a state of separation and estrangement from God. They exist in a living death; they are alive physically but they are dead toward God. Paul has spoken to this repeatedly in this context (becoming alive toward God shows what went before, death toward God, 6:11). The fruit of this living death is physical death to be followed by eternal death, 2:5; 6:21-23).

But the mind of the Spirit is life and peace; those who mind the things of the Spirit have life and peace. This is life in the sense of knowledge and fellowship with God (Jn. 17:3; 1 Jn. 1:3). Peace is a sense of being at one with God, a tranquility of heart and mind evoked by the sense of reconciliation with God through Christ (cf. Matt. 11:28-30 and Phil. 4:7). It is the opposite of the distress of soul, restlessness of mind, alienation and misery brought to the inner self by sin. Come unto me all ye that labor and I will give you rest (Matt. 11:28). Rest and peace deep in the heart and soul is found by learning from Christ as your prophet, clinging to Him as your priest, and submitting to His authority over you as your King.

3A. Contrasting Characters (vs. 7-9)

Those in the flesh have the negative character expressed as enmity, hostility, insubordination, rebellion, and inability). The natural person is hostile, rebellious, and unable to respond to God in any spiritually positive way. Let's consider each of these.

1) Hostility. Those in the flesh stand against God; they oppose and contradict all that is divine. This is much stronger than saying they are enemies of God, "for it defines the mind of the flesh… as one that is conditioned and governed by 'enmity', enmity of which God is the object" (Murray, Romans, 286). It is a disposition of "opposition to and hatred of God" that underlies all activities.

2) Insubordination. This shows up in rebellion against the law of God that is cited next in Romans 8.7. This is the concrete and particular way in which the hostility toward God manifests itself because the law reflects God's character, reveals His authority, and defines His will.

3) Inability. Those in the flesh cannot please God. The book of Hebrews tells us that we must have faith in order to please God, which means that faith is impossible for the natural man. Inability to believe is part of the definition of our death and bondage in sin. Bondage is easily thought of here from the expression of inability cited: "nor can it do so" (v. 7b). Those in bondage are spiritually dead. Spiritual death is like physical death in that the dead person is unresponsive, totally incapable of responding in any way. Likewise, the spiritually dead are totally incapable of doing any good act like the obedient act of faith and repentance (cf. they are not drowning in sin, they have drowned; they are not dying in sin, they are dead in sin).

And we must be struck by this sober fact: this mindset with its lack of submissiveness and depth of spiritual inability has God's firm disapproval. For people in this state of mind, to do that which is well pleasing to God is an absolute and utter impossibility. This is the case from both sides of the picture. From God's side, all He sees is hostility and insubordination. That frame of mind, that deep depravity of heart, can only result in the displeasure of God, in His wrath that is stored up by man, day by day, awaiting the final day of judgment.

On the other side, pleasing God is both morally and psychologically impossible for those in the flesh because it goes against what they passionately want. Are there any lost people who are not controlled by the flesh, who might be able to please God? No. It is not a contrast between some in the flesh who can please God if they but choose to do so and some in the flesh who cannot please God. Rather, it is a contrast between those in the Spirit and those in the flesh—all in the flesh are characterized by this mindset that generates the anger and wrath of God. Hatred of God is a grave offense. Strikingly, this is the case for all unbelievers! That might be hard to detect if God did not tell us it was the case. But Jesus said that from the flesh is flesh (Jn. 3:6) and the flesh profits nothing (Jn. 6:63).

This text (Rom. 8:7-8) is one of the clearest on man's total depravity. Total depravity means that man is unable to remove his hatred of God (and of the light); he cannot change his own nature as a leopard cannot change its spots. He does what he wants and what he wants is evil. Man is totally and completely unable to turn around, repent, and believe the gospel. He is totally and completely unable to submit Himself to the authority of Jesus Christ as his prophet, priest, and king.

But in strong contrast, the Christian is one who has the Spirit and thus has been set free by the Spirit from sin and death. In verse 9, stress is placed on those to whom this pertains – those in whom the Spirit lives, who have the Spirit of Christ. Otherwise, if you do not have the Spirit then you are not Christ's. The remarkable and wonderful implication is that the hostility, rebellion, and inability are removed by the power of the Spirit when He set us free. The attitude toward God, His law, and His authority is changed by God. Ability to submit to the law and please God is changed by the Spirit. Christians, those who have the Holy Spirit living within, you are able to submit yourselves to the law of God for righteous living and advance in it. And thus, remarkably, you are able to please God. This is a marvel.

Application

1) This text shows our horrible state in the fall. We are in the flesh and at enmity toward God, and unable to submit to Him and His character and will, which is detailed in the law. This is the case for you and me. Our only hope is to cling to Jesus the risen Lord. This may be hard to accept of ourselves or see in others at times (tombs may look nice on the outside) but God tells us it is so. We say "I am not that bad, I can do my best and God will accept me." Not so. You are this bad, and you must cling to Jesus Christ or you store up wrath for the day of wrath.

2) Notice that being unable to submit to God's law is no excuse for our sin. Being unable shows how disposed we are toward ourselves and against God. This is why it is impossible for us to please God. We only generate His displeasure. It is not an excuse; rather, it is an index of how sinful and needy we truly are.

3) Consider how this passage teaches that faith is the gift of God. Here is another thing that God did sending His son and freeing us from our bondage by the Spirit. He gave us the gift of faith. Brothers and sisters in the Lord, by faith we ought to give thanks to God for the gift of faith. We could not submit or entrust ourselves to Christ. One needs faith to please God, we could not please God-it was impossible for us, so we could not believe. But the Spirit set us free from this "cannot" and from this impossibility. So, "O Lord, being set free, we rose and went forth from our dark dungeons to follow Thee! What glorious grace and mercy is displayed in this work of the Spirit" is a natural prayer.

4) So now, by the grace of God, we can submit to the law, entrust ourselves to the law-giver and please God by faith. Therefore, we should season our hearts with all of the Ten Commandments in the letter and true intent as taught by Jesus. This is encouraging and hopeful for the future in our sanctification. As believers, we all have a long way to go. "Here is the way, then walk ye in it." Take up His law in commitment and obedience to Him, to the authority of Jesus as your prophet, priest and king. Take His yoke of authority over you, be a learner, do so clinging to Him as your great high priest, and find rest of soul!