MSB ROM Chapter 8

Walking by the Spirit

(Ezekiel 36:16–38, Galatians 5:16–26)

Therefore [there is] now no condemnation for those who [are] in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to [the] flesh but according to [the] Spirit.[fn] 2 For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life {set} me[fn] free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God [did] by sending His [own] Son in [the] likeness of sinful man, [ as an offering ] for sin.[fn] He [thus] condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who {do} not walk according to [the] flesh but according to [the] Spirit.

Those who live according to [the] flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those [who live] according to [the] Spirit [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit. 6 The mind of the flesh [is] death, but the mind of the Spirit [is] life and peace, 7 because the mind of the flesh [is] hostile to God: vvv It does not submit to God’s law, vvv nor can it [do so]. 8 Those controlled by [the] flesh[fn] vvv cannot please God.

You, however, are vvv controlled not by [the] flesh, 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[fn] because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from [the] dead is living in you, He who raised Christ[fn] from [the] dead vvv will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.

Heirs with Christ

Therefore brothers, we have [an] obligation, [but it is] not to the flesh, to live according to [it]. 13 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. 14 For all who are led by [the] Spirit of God are sons of God.

For vvv you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received [the] Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry,“Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 And if [we are] children, then [we are] heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ — if indeed we suffer with [Him], so that vvv we may also be glorified with [Him].

Future Glory

(2 Corinthians 5:1–10)

I consider that [our] present sufferings [are] not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the [One who] subjected [it], in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from [its] bondage to decay [and brought] into the vvv glorious freedom of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. 23 Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for [our] adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope [at all]. Why {would} one hope for[fn] what he can already see? 25 But if we hope for what vvv we do not yet see, we wait for [it] vvv patiently.

In the same way the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses.[fn] For vvv we do not know how vvv we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us[fn] with groans too deep for words. 27 And He who searches [our] hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because [the Spirit] intercedes for [the] saints according to [the will] [of] God.

God Works in All Things

(Ephesians 1:3–14)

And we know that all things work together[fn] for [the] good of those who love [Him], who are called according to [His] purpose. 29 For those [God] foreknew, vvv He also predestined [to be] conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be [the] firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those He predestined, vvv He also called; [those] He called, vvv He [also] justified; [those] He justified, vvv He also glorified.

What then shall we say in response to these things? If God [is] for us, who [can be] against us? 32 He who did not spare [His] own Son but gave Him up for us all, how {will He} not also, along with Him, freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? [It is] God [who] justifies. 34 Who [is] there to condemn [us]? [For] Christ who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at [the] right hand of God— and He is interceding for us.

More than Conquerors

(Psalm 44:1–26)

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? {Shall} trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

For Your sake we face death all day long;

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[fn]

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities nor powers, neither the present nor the future,[fn] 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that [is] in Christ Jesus our Lord.