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For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18 Paul, who suffered beatings, stonings, and numerous imprisonments for spreading the message of Christ, had a deep understanding of pain. However, he believed that the future held something much greater for believers, something that made the present suffering pale in comparison. Paul’s words remind us that even in the midst of pain and hardship, there is hope for a future that is so great, that nothing else can compare.

So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you are living in accord with the flesh, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:14 Christians may wonder how to know if the grace of God has been poured out upon them. One way to be sure is if the Spirit is leading them. But what does that actually mean? Sometimes people phrase it differently: what does God have in store for my life? The answer to that question goes beyond the context of Paul’s statement. We cannot know God’s plan for our lives horizontally, and the Bible reminds us not to worry about that. Being led by the Spirit is a vertical concept, which means that the Spirit helps believers become more righteous as a reflection of Christ. Righteousness is only found in Jesus Christ, and the context of this epistle is centered around Him. So, let's go back to the original question: how can we tell if the Spirit is leading us? How can we know we are children of God? The answer is a small ray of light. You won’t find it by looking for perfect obedience. You won’t find it by looking for the perfect love of God either. However, if there is a tiny ray of light in the darkness of your heart shining on the things of God, then the Spirit is in you. And whatever work He begins in you, He will complete; that is a promise.

So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you are living in accord with the flesh, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” Romans 14-15 All those who are led by the Spirit are considered children of God through adoption. Paul’s teachings emphasize the influence of two different spirits: the spirit of the flesh and the Spirit of grace. The spirit of the flesh operates horizontally, representing the old self, the unregenerate, and the one in bondage to sin. On the other hand, the Spirit of Grace operates vertically as the new self, the regenerated, the one who is born again into a new life through Jesus Christ. The new self has the incredible privilege of addressing God as Father, not in a silly or careless manner, but with deep respect and reverence. God Bless, and Merry Christmas!

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. Romans 8:16-17 This passage reinforces the importance of following the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is evident from these verses that our assurance of salvation and spiritual growth is not based on our works. Instead, it is based on God’s testimony to our spirit that we belong to Him. We primarily find this testimony in the Bible, which provides us with peaceful assurance when we need it. Similarly, we turn to prayer when we need to find rest in Christ. As Christians, we are the beneficiaries of the promise of redemption through the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15), which was made in eternity past and is our ultimate hope.

Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if, through the power of the Spirit, you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. Romans 8:12-14 The declaration of “no condemnation” (V. 1) and the warning given in these verses should ring in the ears of every Christian. Douglas Moo states, “Security without responsibility breeds passivity, but responsibility without security leads to anxiety.”

But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)  And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:9-11 Yes, even with Christ in us, the Christian body is still dead because of sin. The penalty for sin is death. Yet, we can have confidence in eternal life because we have been made right with God through Jesus Christ. This is past tense for all Christians. We have been sanctified, made holy, once and for all time through Christ. The progressive spiritual growth of the Christian is not about us; it is all about others.

Those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who agree with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.   For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace   because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8 Paul's message highlights the importance of Christians focusing on the eternal life that awaits them instead of getting too caught up in their present life. According to him, people more concerned with their current life may end up in a highly uncomfortable place for a long time - spiritual death. However, Paul's most crucial point is that individuals who prioritize living by their desires and appetites do not align themselves with God's teachings and are incapable of doing so. Interestingly, we were all once hostile toward God and could not end that hostility. The beauty of the gospel is that Christ accomplished that for us, and the Father called us to Him.

For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh   so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:3-4 This is the essence of the gospel, the message of hope from God. We are no longer bound by the weight of our deeds to attain salvation. Instead, we can rest in that this has already been accomplished for those who believe.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Romans 8:1-2 The law of the Spirit refers to the fundamental truth found in Christ, which states that salvation comes by grace through faith. On the other hand, the law of sin and death characterizes the moral law. Paul emphasizes that those not in Christ operate under the pressure of performance as a means of salvation, ultimately leading to sin and death.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 This verse holds great significance for Christians as it is intricately linked to everything Paul has mentioned in the previous seven chapters. When individuals believe in Christ, they become united with Him in a covenant. As Christ has already borne the punishment for our sins and taken upon Himself all the wrath from the Father, there is no condemnation left for those who are in Him.

For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin.  15  For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin, which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand, I myself, with my mind, am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh, the law of sin. Romans 7:14-25 Many Christians believe that we alone must choose to lean towards God in order to determine our spiritual fate. They may say, "Repeat this prayer with me, and you will be saved." However, some people may wonder why they choose not to lean towards God. R.C. Sproul, channeling the thoughts of Jonathan Edwards, explained that humans will choose according to their greatest inclination. Humanity in its fallen and depraved condition cannot choose God unless the Holy Spirit changes the soul's inclination. This sentiment is shared in the writings of Paul and by many prominent men of faith, including Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Edwards, Spurgeon, and more. When we come to Christ, it is because we truly want to, but it is the hand of God that intentionally changes our hearts from stone to flesh and draws us towards Him. That is Grace alone.

For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin.  15  For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.    But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good.    So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.    For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.    But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.    For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man,    but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.    Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?    Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:14-25 I once heard that after a few years in seminary, one might think they have a grasp on all of Christian theology, believing they know everything there is to know. However, towards the end of their seminary education, around 6-7 years in, they realize how little they actually know. This statement holds true, and the Apostle Paul echoes a similar sentiment in these verses. As Christians mature, they delve deeper into scripture and become more aware of their sinful nature. Consequently, they understand more fully their constant dependence on the grace of God.