How does God want us to live each day? Many people only respond to what their five senses tell them. But God gives His spirit to those who believe that He raised Jesus from the dead and make His Son their Lord. And we are then to live by the spirit of God within us. The Apostle Paul wrote about this in his letter to the Romans. Let’s look at how “spirit” is used in chapter 8 of that epistle.
Walking by the Gift of Spirit that God Gives Us through Christ
The first 11 verses show our two choices: walk by our senses or walk by the gift of holy spirit.
- There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh [five-senses information only], but after the Spirit [God working in them by His gift of holy spirit].
- For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus [walking by the spirit] hath made me free from the law of sin and death [the Mosaic Law which gave five-senses rules to deal with spiritual matters].
- For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh [people just obeyed spiritual truths written down but were not able to listen to God by way of His spirit], God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
- That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us [born-again believers], who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit [God’s gift].
- For they that are after the flesh do mind [set their thinking on] the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit [those who set their thinking on what God communicates to them by way of His spirit within].
- For to be carnally minded is death [not following God’s way opens people up to the Devil’s attacks and darkness]; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace [because God is the Author of life and peace and gives them to us through the work of Christ].
- Because the carnal mind is enmity [in opposition] against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be [without the gift of holy spirit, the “natural man” can only go by the five senses (I Corinthians 2:14)].
- So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God [It’s hard to please someone you don’t know or listen to].
- But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
- And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
- But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Walking by the gift of holy spirit that God gives us through Christ is the opposite of walking only by body and soul. Here are some things we learn about this in these first 11 verses: this spirit is life; it is in Christ Jesus; we can walk according to it; we can keep our minds on what it teaches us; this spiritual mindset is life and peace; it is God’s spirit that dwells in us; it is the spirit of Christ—all that God gives us in Christ; this spirit is life [repeated]; it is God’s spirit that dwells in us [repeated].
Be Led by God’s Spirit and Live Truly as Sons
Verses 12-17 show that as we are led by God’s spirit within us, we can truly live as His beloved sons. Think about the example of our Lord Jesus Christ. He walked by the spirit and was a Son, well pleasing to the Father (Matthew 3:17; 12:18; 17:5; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22; John 8:28,29; Romans 15:3). God gave us His spirit to worship Him spiritually (John 4:24; Philippians 3:3). This is proof that we are His sons and heirs. We are joint heirs in all that Christ gained for us!
- Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
- For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
- For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
- For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption [sonship], whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
- The Spirit itself [auto to pneuma] beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
- And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Being led by God’s spirit, we live truly as sons. Here are more things we learn about the spirit in verses 12-17: we walk by the spirit, not by the flesh; we are led by the spirit of God; we have received a spirit that brings sonship; the Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit; we are God’s heirs and fellow-heirs with Christ; we endure in this life and will be glorified in the future with Christ. Where it says “the Spirit itself,” the Greek text reads auto to pneuma. This emphasizes that it is God Himself, the Holy Spirit, who witnesses to the spirit that He gave us. Our sonship is assured by God’s grace and mercy through Christ. The spirit He gives us is only a token, a foretaste of the glory we will someday enjoy [Ephesians 1:14; 4:30].
A Parenthetical Explanation of Our Suffering with and Being Glorified with Christ
In verses 18-25, God had Paul give further details about our present suffering compared to our future glory when Christ returns for us.
- For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
- For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
- For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
- Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
- For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
- And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
- For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
- But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Look at the greatness of our future glory compared to the suffering that we endure today as Christians: all creation waits for that glorious time; we have the spirit as a firstfruits; we will see its full redemption when Christ returns and we have glorious bodies like his body (Philippians 3:21); until then, we patiently wait in hope.
How the Spirit Helps Us Today
Verses 26-30 return to our present life on this earth. God gave us His gift of holy spirit because we need it. Jesus said that after receiving this gift, the promise of the Father, believers would be filled with power and witness to Christ’s being raised, ascended, and seated at God’s right hand (Acts 1:8). With that power, we can pray the way God wants us to and see Him bring deliverance.
- Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself [auto to pneuma] maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
- And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
- And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
- For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
- Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
What a great summary of how the spirit helps us today. God Himself, the Holy Spirit Who bears witness with our spirit, helps our weaknesses, including not knowing how to pray by our body and soul thinking. This is the same Greek form where the “Spirit itself” witnesses with our spirit, and is only used in those two places in this section of scripture. We don’t know how to pray for everything, but God Who is all-knowing can direct our spirit when we pray. Paul explained to the Corinthian church that speaking in tongues is praying in the spirit (I Corinthians 14:14,15). He also told the churches to consistently pray this way (Ephesians 6:18). Then, all things can work together for good, because we have “Christ within” to pray this way. We are “conformed to the image of his Son” when we are filled with the holy spirit. God foreknew we would believe when He called us. Now we are justified, and we will someday be glorified with our risen Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
This is our choice and privilege each day: to walk by the spirit that God graciously gives us.
3 replies on “Our Daily Choice”
I’m so interested to keep learning more about body, soul, and spirit. We are reading through Romans and have just gotten to chapter 8. Looking forward to rereading and working through this excellent article. Thanks Gene! ♥️♥️
Very well put Gene. We all have the opportunity to grow closer to God as we practice what God has given us in our lives to live and apply. The respect of God and His Word is the beginning of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. His remnant sees and I believe hears that wisdom. Thank you for your labor of love.
That spirit within us is so vital to our spiritual health. In the daily affairs and challenges of life, it directs our prayers when we don’t know what (or even for whom) we should be praying for—thanks for this great reminder Gene!