Romans 8:1-11.                 Living the Life???                                             16/7/17

{1) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, {2} because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. {3} For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, {4} in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. {5} Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. {6} The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; {7} the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. {8} Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. {9} You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. {10} But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. {11} And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

Fred had listened carefully to the sermons of the last weeks; but the more he thought about it, the more it disturbed him greatly. He couldn’t get past thinking, that he is called to act quite differently to what he knew in his heart he was like. He understood in a deeper way that it was important that he lived this Christian life that was called for from him. But that concerned him greatly, because he found that he was really struggling to be able to live up to what was expected of him.

Despite his best efforts he kept failing to do what he knew was required of him. Even though he tried hard to allow Christ’s light to shine in his life, all he could see was his faults and his failings. But then at other times he found that he was trying to excuse himself and shrug it off as if it were no big deal; after all God loves him and forgives him so it doesn’t matter if he lives completely opposite to what he knows is right. This self-righteous attitude was not sitting comfortable with him either.

So Fred could identify with Paul’s words in last week’s lesson, when he stated: I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. (Rom 7:15) and When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. (Rom 7:21)  He now knew what the right thing was for him to do, but he just couldn’t get it right. This was now playing on his mind and causing him much turmoil.

Over and over again he kept thinking that he was a failure at being a Christian; so how could God love and accept him. Doubts crept in to the point the he began to think that he was just fooling himself about his being a Christian. What is he to do? Where does he turn? Perhaps he should just give up.

So to the Fred's and others with similar thoughts, listen carefully to what God has to say to you here in this reading. To those who are smug in their own self- righteousness, you can switch off and have a sleep. To the rest of you, listen also, for there is a message for you also. Romans 8 is a wonderful chapter for all who are going through a rough time in life and their faith.

Paul here begins by saying that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Despite our doubts, and failures have no fear, for through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life has set you free from the law of sin and death. In other words, because of Jesus' death on the cross, we are assured that nothing in all creation can separate us from God's love. Nothing! Not even our doubts and failings. Jesus has died for us, and through our baptism has joined us to himself.

Since we are unable to live up to God's standards because of our sinful nature and so cannot make ourselves acceptable to God; God sent his Son to do everything necessary for our forgiveness and salvation. The soul that sins shall die; but Jesus joined himself to us and died in our place, so that we might have life.

 And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. We who now believe in Jesus Christ and the importance of his death on the cross, are now considered by God as being sinless. He sees us as righteous people. As we look to him and trust in him we can go forward with confidence.

So we can know that because we are still sinful while we live on this earth, our body is still subject to failure and death. We will constantly have that battle within us between what we know is right and good and our ability to do it. Just as it was for Paul, there will also be many times when you and I will fail to live the righteous life, even though we know what the right thing is.

We are as Luther once said, 'saint and sinner at the same time'. But that does not mean that we are not loved and accepted by God and that we are not really Christian. And it doesn't mean that we are not to strive to live as God' would have us. We cannot excuse ourselves. But at the same time who now know that we are freely and fully forgiven. We are righteous in and through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Remember however that; 'Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.'

So the point is, are we now wanting to live in accord with God and his Word, or do we want to live according to our sinful, selfish nature. Is Jesus Lord of our lives or are we? Do we want what God has given us and has to say to us, or do we want look to ourselves and the world around us, which determines life for us?

As Christians, Paul says: 'You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.' Here remember that we do have God's Spirit living in us. We were baptised. There he promised that his Spirit would live in us to help us: he is now in us always. Yes, God is at work in our life every day, seeking to control what happens in our life; to give us life and peace.

The Spirit is at work in our lives to lead, guide and ever point is to Jesus and what is important for us. As the Spirit draws us to regular worship in his house, we are continually reminded that we are forgiven and thereby have the assurance of eternal life in heaven. At the beginning of every service we have Confession and Absolution; We have the Word read and preached; and we have The Lord’s Supper; ever reassuring us of that which we need most of all. The Spirit is at work leading us to that which is good for us, because we have this constant battle in our lives.

On top of that; take note of what he says next. 'But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.' Did you hear that? When Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin. Our life; our getting our own way; our living the way we want, is dead: it is not important. The things that the world out there sees as important are nothing; they are no longer what now makes for life for us as Christians. We are a part of something infinitely greater.

Christ and his life is what now makes for true living. With him in us, we have that which already has made us righteous and which will help us to live with peace and certainty, despite our struggles. We are now free to be what Christ would have us be. Now we can be children of light; striving to do what is in accord with one who is called a child of God. We can strive now to do what the Spirit would have us do, knowing that we already have that which makes for life.

Here remember also what Paul went on to say in this connection: 'And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.' Did Jesus really raise Jesus from the dead? Yes! Then he also has promised that he gives life to us also; guaranteed.

So we can now go forward with confidence, knowing that we have that which is important working in our life. There is no condemnation toward us, while we allow that Spirit to work life in us. Even when we fail, as we all do along the way, he draws us back and assures us again and again of his forgiveness and help.

It is only when we become smug in our own abilities and righteousness that we are in trouble. When we look here [ourselves and our rights and all the rest] we will struggle and only find death. But with the Sprit working in us, as we listen to and mediate on his Word and as we participate in the Lord's Supper, we will receive all that we need for this life and the next

So as we go forward in life look to Jesus Christ and know that his Spirit is working in us, to help us to live with our struggles to be the person we know that we should be. The troubles will always be there, but as we look to Jesus and all that he has made possible for us, we will find the strength and life that we need. Then we will also find that more and more glory will go to him whom it belongs; to our great God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For to him alone belongs all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish