We are going to again, fellowship with the Father and His Word. This time, through Romans 8. Please come ready to talk about what it means to be “children of God” and, “heirs of God.” Allow the Holy Spirit to help you as you read the Word. Allow Him to reveal Christ to you. Keep in mind that as children and heirs of God, there is a certain way we are expected to function, in order to be identified as children of God, and heirs.
The bible makes a clear distinction between children of light, and children of the darkness (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6). We understand that we are to be different, but why? Do we do this to keep the rules? Do we “walk in the spirit” to show people how good we are? What if I told you that walking as children of light enables you to see God (Matthew 5:8), walk in His power (Ephesians 1:19-23), and to fight back against the devil (Luke 10:19). So here goes: You mustn’t hate the devil, and love the flesh. You either hate both, of love both (see Proverbs 8:36). Now, let’s jump into Romans 8 and see what God says about walking in the Spirit, as we need to know what this really looks like in the life of the believer.
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
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1. What is God saying to us in these verses?
2. What kind of praise can we bring to God, based on these verses?
3. What are some areas in our lives that we need to change, based on these verses?
4. In what ways can we give thanks to God for the change in our lives?
5. As we fellowship with God, what are some of the deeper dealing he has with us, based on these verses?
