A good definition of “the flesh” in Paul’s writings is a human being living separated from God. In Romans 8, Paul outlines several negative effects of living according to the flesh.
The good news is that, through Jesus’ work on the cross, His resurrection, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are no longer bound to obey sin due to the weakness of the flesh.
So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live (Romans 8.12-13).
When the ancient Hebrews left Egypt or returned from Babylonian exile, they were freed from their oppressive rulers. However, one thing still held power over them: sin, weakened by the flesh.
God, through Isaiah (Chapters 50-66), promised freedom from the power of sin, a promise fulfilled in Jesus and the gift of the Spirit. Paul emphasizes this truth in these verses.
We can cooperate with the Holy Spirit to gain freedom from the power of sin. However, this doesn’t mean we will achieve sinless perfection.
We live in a time where the new age of freedom from sin overlaps with the old age, which still binds us to sin. While we experience the new age’s freedom, we’re also affected by the remnants of the old age.
By making a daily, conscious choice to surrender to the work of the Holy Spirit, we can experience greater freedom from the power of sin.
Led by the Spirit
Paul describes life in the Spirit in several ways. So far, in Chapter 8 we have seen these references to the work of the Holy Spirit.
(1) We can walk according to the Spirit, verse 4.
(2) We can set our mind on the things of the Spirit, verse 5.
(3) When we set our mind on the Spirit, we experience God’s life and peace, verse 6.
(4) “Christ is in you,” is a substitute phrase for life in the Spirit, verse 10.
(5) Verse 14 discusses being led by the Spirit, and as a result, we become God’s children.
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God (Romans 8.14).
These are different ways to describe how we interact with God. Essentially, we cooperate with the Holy Spirit by allowing ourselves to be led by Him and by aligning our minds with His guidance.
When we talk about walking with the Spirit, we are also referring to walking with Jesus. These terms are essentially synonymous.
Adopted Children
God told Moses, “You cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live” (Exodus 33:20).
God’s glory is incredibly magnificent, and human beings cannot stand in His presence without His protective grace. However, with the Holy Spirit living within us, we are able to call this awe-inspiring God our Father.
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!”
It is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ
If, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him (Romans 8.15-17).
Jesus’ most distinctive way of addressing God was by calling Him “Abba,” the Aramaic word for Father. The Holy Spirit living within us enables us to call God Father as well, because, by God’s grace, we are His children.
It would be a mistake to think of God as just a pal. He is the awe-inspiring God revealed to Isaiah, Moses, and the other prophets.
We respect and honor Him for His majesty, but in His grace, He allows us to know Him as our loving Father. It’s important to keep these two aspects of God in balance.
There are many ways to share in the suffering of Jesus. Some people suffer under oppressive governments that persecute Christians, while others suffer with Jesus by working diligently with the Holy Spirit to overcome the power of the flesh.
The reward for victory over sin and the flesh is to live according to God’s design, share in His glory, take on His nature, and live a life like Jesus. As we cooperate with the Holy Spirit, He will accomplish this in us for our good and His glory.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 