The first half of Romans 8 reminds me of the ominous words included in Wanted Posters: Dead or Alive. Contrary to the movies, this was extremely rare. They indicated the seriousness of the crimes along with overwhelming proof of guilt. Today’s chapter offers us a choice between the two options. The apostle Paul begins with his conclusion from the previous seven chapters. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”. This was an entirely new concept to me. I had believed that God was quick to pronounce judgement. The world loves to accuse and convict, but God rescues and restores outlaws. Paul explains that “through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death”. Everyone falls short in some points of the law, so all are guilty. I understood this perspective. But the good news of the Gospel is that the penalty for my sin has been paid. Paul taught that “the law was powerless” to make us perfect “because it was weakened by the flesh”. We are all corruptible at the core, so more laws cannot make us more righteous. He continues, God Himself made a way for us to receive forgiveness, “by sending His Own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering”. Jesus was hung on the cross to pay the penalty for the sin of mankind, so “the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met”. The pardon became personal to me when I accepted that Jesus died for my sin. I was completely forgiven, innocent before God. How is an innocent man supposed to behave?
Paul makes a clear distinction between those living in the Spirit, and those whose minds are “set on what the flesh desires”. He says that “the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace”. I believe most people search for this missing peace by satisfying their flesh. It cannot fill the spiritual void and they remain empty. Paul goes a step further and says that the “The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God”. For some, nearly any lifestyle choice that makes someone temporarily happy is celebrated. Those same people ridicule and condemn salvation through Christ. Why only hate my choice? Paul is unambiguous, “Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God”. Friend, are you still unfulfilled?
Paul next turns his attention to those who have embraced Christ as Messiah, “the Spirit of God lives in you”. We are given an eternal perspective; “even though your body is subject to death… the Spirit gives life”. The doubts in my own ability and attitude are replaced with confident hope that God is able. Paul explains, “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”. His Spirit in us brings inexhaustible peace. What are we to do with this gift? “Brothers and sisters, we have an obligation… to live according to it”. This is not an indentured servitude, this is an encouragement to live our life with the joy that freedom brings. We are to lift our light high for others to see. Paul says that we are not slaves, we are adopted into a new family. Instead of God being distant and cold, Paul says we can now use the personal term “Abba”, or “daddy”. He explains “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children”. This does not mean that we are little gods, it means we have an awesome inheritance. Paul says that we are “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ”. That means “we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory”. Desperados stay on the run, trying to escape the law just as many today are on the run from God. My friend, do not be deceived. God is not a bounty hunter. Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest” (John 10:10). God offers eternal life to all who will surrender to Him.