Romans: Alive in Christ

Romans 8:1-11

Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) was one of the most influential thinkers of the Middle Ages, which spans from the fifth to the fifteenth centuries. He authored the Summa Theologica, a comprehensive overview of theology. Aquinas also considered the book of Romans as a concise theological guide. In his Commentary on the Letter to the Romans, he wrote:

The Apostle's intention in this epistle is to instruct the Romans in the faith of Christ, and in this way he lays out the whole plan of the gospel.[1]

Romans is truly a theological textbook. Paul explains the transforming power of the gospel (Rom. 1:1-17), the problem of sin (Rom. 1:18-3:20), the remedy for sin (Rom. 3:21-5:21), and how to grow in our walk with Jesus (Rom. 6:1-8:39). The section on "Christian growth" in Paul's letter is where we currently are. 

Last time, we were reminded that all believers are engaged in a spiritual battle. Paul openly described the internal struggles he experienced. He sometimes did things he knew he shouldn't do and failed to do things he knew he should (Rom. 7:7-23). He concluded, "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Rom. 7:24-25a). 

In Romans 8, Paul drives home this truth: 

The potential and possibility of winning every spiritual battle come through Jesus Christ—his death, burial, and resurrection—and by his Spirit, who lives within us. 

Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

The gospel, the "news of victory," focuses on Jesus. The phrase "in Christ Jesus" refers to those who have trusted entirely in his work to be justified before God. For those who are "in Christ Jesus," there is "now no condemnation." The word translated "condemnation" (Grk: kataprima) means "penalty" or "judgment." For those "in Christ Jesus," the penalty and judgment are gone. Here's why:

Romans 8:2-4
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 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 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. 

There was a time when the "law of sin and death" held us in its grip. We were spiritually dead and headed toward physical and eternal death. Jesus met us in this helpless state, and the "Spirit of life has set [us] free in Christ Jesus." God did for us what we could never do on our own. He sent his Son "in the likeness of sinful flesh" to die for our sins. Jesus took our sin in his body on the cross, and God's penalty for sin was poured out on him. When we trust in Jesus as the One who paid the penalty for our sins, "the righteous requirement of the law" is fulfilled in us by Jesus' work. And now, through the Spirit's power, we are enabled to turn from following the desires of our sinful nature and walk "according to the Spirit." 

What a profound truth!

Now, in Romans 8:5-8, Paul contrasts a non-believer—someone influenced only by their sinful nature—with a believer—someone who is set free in Christ Jesus. Let's take a closer look at these verses.

Romans 8:5
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. 

The word translated as "set their minds" (Grk: phroneo) means "outlook" or, more precisely, "worldview." The sinful nature shapes the worldview of the non-believer. What a non-believer thinks, feels, and does comes from a heart separated from God. Conversely, a believer's worldview is formed by "the things of the Spirit." The Spirit reveals the truth by instructing us from God's Word. Through the Spirit's work, believers develop a biblical worldview. 

Romans 8:6
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 

An outlook rooted in sinful nature fuels desires and actions that lead to physical, spiritual, and eternal death. However, the biblical view of the believer, guided by the Spirit, results in an abundant life now, eternal life to come, and peace with God (Rom. 5:1). 

Romans 8:7-8
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. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 

The person whose mind "is set on the flesh" lives with a worldview that is "hostile to God." This individual has no intention of pleasing anyone but themselves. In fact, someone living without the influence of the Holy Spirit cannot submit to God nor obey him. Just think about that. Remember, Paul taught us in Romans 3 that no one is good and no one seeks God (Rom. 3:9-18). "There is no fear of God before [the unbeliever's] eyes" (Rom. 3:18). 

But as believers, we have Christ in us!

Romans 8:9-11
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. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 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 believer is not ruled by the sinful nature but by the Holy Spirit. Notice in this passage that the Spirit is called "the Spirit of God" and "the Spirit of Christ." The moment we trust in Christ, the Spirit lives within us. A Christian's defining mark is the indwelling Holy Spirit. Paul makes it clear that, without the Spirit, we don't "belong to [Jesus]." 

When Jesus lives in us through his Spirit, we are no longer controlled by our sinful natures because the righteousness of Christ has been credited to each of our accounts. This new life is not just for the present, but for eternity. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead "dwells in [us]" and will "also give life to [our] mortal bodies." Just as God raised Jesus from the dead, so shall we be raised with our resurrected bodies equipped for eternity!

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and meditate on Romans 8:1-11. Focus on the difference Jesus makes through the power of his Spirit living in you.

Talking to God: How does the promise of the Spirit's presence—and even your future resurrection—bring you hope and courage today?

Zoom Call: We’re excited to invite you to a special Zoom call on Monday, October 6, 2025 at 7:00 PM as we come together to reflect on what we’ve learned in our study of John and take a midpoint review of the book of Romans. The link to join the call will be found in the October 6 Daily Devotion email.

Have questions? Please send your questions to our team. We're happy to help as we study God's Word together. Please submit your question below, and we'll respond shortly. Let us know if you would like to learn more about a relationship with Jesus or if you are seeking spiritual guidance.