26 Freedom from Indwelling Sin

Many bible scholars consider Romans chapter 8 to be one of the most important chapters in Scripture. Yet, the chapter shouldn’t be made to stand on its own but must be understood in context with the preceding seven chapters.

The chapter develops the understanding of how and why the believer is no longer under the condemnation which had existed prior to their salvation:

1 No More Condemnation

Romans 8:1

This verse is many ways a portrait of the freedom enjoyed by believers, but again, it relates to everything Paul had spoken over in the previous seven chapters.

The verse clearly shows that the reason the believer is free from condemnation, is because they are “in” Christ (they belong to Him).

In chapter three, Paul had established that all are sinners, and thus subject to condemnation because of that sin.

However, for those who’ve surrendered their lives to Jesus, by accepting Him as their personal Savior, God has acquitted them of their sin-guilt, and therefore freed them from condemnation:

Ephesians 1:6

The only reason why there’s no condemnation for the Christian, is because of their personal relationship with Christ, having nothing to do with them personally.

In Romans 8:1, Paul shows that those in Christ are no longer walking in the flesh, but rather walking according to the Spirit.

The word used for walk is the Greek word <peripateo> which speaks of continual motion in a direction. Therefore, it points to an individual’s manner of living, as opposed to an occasional failure of the flesh, which Paul himself, personally admitted to in chapter 7.

Therefore, the believer’s manner of living, is not to love being controlled by the flesh, but rather to be controlled by the Spirit.

Even so, because everyone (including believers) has free wills, they must make a conscious decision to deny the pull of the flesh, and to consciously follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

2 Contrasting Two Laws

In the next passages, Paul will continue to contrast the life of the Spirit and that of the flesh:

Romans 8:2-4

Paul had previously shown that the believer is no longer under the Mosaic Law, but that there’s another law (ideally a principle) at work in our lives.

In chapter 8, he desires to show that there is yet another Law (literally a principle) which is at work in the life of the believer.

He refers to it as the law of the Spirit of life, which frees us from the law of sin and death. And both principles are absolutes.

The law of sin and death is an absolute, in that God’s Word has decreed that that the soul which sins (and Romans 3 established that all men sin) shall die:

Ezekiel 18:4

The death spoken of in that (and similar passages) refers to both physical and spiritual death.

Romans 8:2 establishes, that there can be freedom from the law of sin and death.

That freedom comes about, by way of another “law” (principle) which is the law of the “Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.”

Paul had already shown that the power of sin brings death, but thankfully Jesus had paid for our sins at Calvary:

Romans 3:25

But Jesus did more than pay for our sins, but He also defeated the power of death by His resurrection:

1 Corinthians 15:17

Therefore, believers receive freedom from the law of sin and death, because of because we are “in” Christ who was victorious in every way.

In verse 3, Paul speaks of the Law’s weakness:

Romans 8:3

He wasn’t saying there’s an inherent weakness in the law itself, but rather the weakness is in our flesh.

Paul had already established that the Law was intended to show our sinfulness and need for a Savior, but the Law itself was powerless to bring salvation.

In the latter part of verse three, Paul speaks of Jesus coming in “the likeness of sinful flesh.” That wasn’t saying that the Lord’s flesh was in any way sinful, since as God, that would not be possible. Rather, it was speaking of the fact that while Jesus was fully God, He was also fully man. Thus, it was referring to His humanity.

In His foreknowledge, God knew that Adam and Eve would sin, and therefore He determined that Jesus would be the member of the Godhead to redeem fallen man. But this plan was enacted even before He created the world:

1 Peter 1:19-20

In verse 4, once again, Paul showed how the requirements of the Law are fulfilled, only when one has a relationship with the Holy Spirit.

The fulfillment of the requirements of the Law, shows how the believer has been acquitted before God, and accounted as being righteous.