Back to Bible Study after last week’s medically induced break.
Read Romans 8: 1-17.
In Christ the Christian is a new creation. Though much of the old is still around relationships have changed, behaviour has changed, our will has changed. But we are not alone. The Holy Spirit is now a central presence in our life.
• God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are often our focus as Christians. Because of His nature and work the Holy Spirit is less prominent. But that does not mean less vital. How many times is He mentioned in this passage and what does that indicate about His role in the Christian’s life?
• Consider the fact that ‘There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus’. (1) Is salvation just about looking back on sin forgiven?
• What do we understand about Jesus coming ‘in the likeness of sinful flesh’? (3)
• How is it that ‘the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us’? (4)
• Not everyone has the Spirit of God dwelling in them. What does the indwelling presence of the Spirit guarantee? (11)
• What point is being made in verse 12 about our way of life?
• What relationship is begun when we are led by the Spirit? (13)
• A contrast is being developed in verses 14-17. What marked our relationship with God in our former life? (15)
• What is the defining nature of our relationship with God now? (15-16)
• As children of God what else is promised to us? (16-17)
• Paul qualifies our certainty of sharing in Christ’s inheritance in verse 18. What is that qualification?
• What might that suffering entail?
• What difference does our obedience make to His love for us?
• What now is our motivation for obedience?
Some notes.
The surrounding section of Romans and John’s Gospel really provide a the bulk of our understanding of the person and work of the Holy Spirit. He is present here, but as would be expected He is not prominent, though central to our considerations.
Barry helpfully pointed out that just as the Spririt is mentioned quite a bit, so too the mind of the Christian is emphasised in these chapters.
This helps us see that sanctification is now in focus in contrast to justification.
The blessing far outweighs the need. The penalty for our sin falls on Christ, we are justified and credited with a righteousness not our own, but we also become part of God’s family.
It is worthwhile noting that not all humans have God within them, belong to Christ or are dwelling places of the Spirit. This is true of the Christian alone.
Rather than emptying our conciousness in order to become aware of God within, the Trinity communicates directly with us and establishes a relationship themselves.
All our blessings are found in Christ and are the result of His obedience.
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