Romans8v5to17: JOINT HEIRS WITH CHRISTI cannot say I approached this passage with any enthusiasm! I think this was mainly due to the impression given by the N.I.V. and the commentators that Christian conduct is controlled by the Holy Spirit. The Christians at Corinth undoubtedly received the Spirit. They were blessed by the Spirit with an abundance of supernatural gifts - most of which I have never been given. But the Corinthians hardly conducted themselves well. They went wrong in about as many different ways as they could. Paul had to correct them!! It wasn't just down to them and the Spirit. Paul even told the wayward Corinthians to follow his example! Today Christian conduct is influenced by what the Bible says, the teaching of Christian leaders, the example of fellow believers, devotional literature and so on. The Holy Spirit is not so much our controller as our helper. He is like a wise and holy friend who interacts with our spirits - enlightening, guiding and empowering. If our spirit is disordered as it might be by depression, schizophrenia or dementia the Holy Spirit is much less effective. Sadly the Holy Spirit does not invariably give the peace that passes understanding to Christians suffering from dementia anymore than an earthly loved one can do so. As I studied the passage I referred to other translations than the N.I.V. and it was clear from them that Paul does not necessarily write about the Spirit controlling Christian conduct. The Holy Spirit dwells in the Christian and interacts with his or her spirit - just as the spirit of an earthly friend might interact with our spirit. I am going to use the passage simply. This is one quality lacking from the commentaries I have on Romans. I can't think Paul meant to be as complicated as some scholars make him! The passage poses four questions the answers to which highlight the distinctive life of the believer. This, after all is what Paul was dealing with. (3) What does your mind dwell on? See v5to8. (1) The non-Christian has thoughts: (a) On how to please Self rather than God. Such thoughts include: how can I get on at work? How can I make lots of money? What shall I spend it on? What's on TV tonight? Where shall we go on holiday this year? Am I providing enough for the future? (b) That conflict with God's law. Such thoughts might include: What excuse can I make for taking the day off work? Shall I seduce my secretary? How can I cover up that mistake made at work? How can I get my own back? How can I fiddle my tax returns? (c) That are downright hostile to God. Why can't God do more about the world's problems? Why is God so cruel? God doesn't exist. If God exists I don't like him very much. God could have made a better job of creation. (2) The Christian thinks about: what the Holy Spirit desires. Paul writes: Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. So, what does the Spirit desire? Jesus makes this clear: When the Counsellor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, he will testify about me. Jn16v26. The Holy Spirit is concerned about making Jesus known - his teaching, his example, his personality and his great saving work. If we think about what the Spirit desires our minds will be focused on Jesus and how best to serve and please him. We will continually remind ourselves:
I think it is permissible to adapt the words of France Havergal's hymn:
(C) To Whom do you belong? See v9to11. You have a choice: (1) You can be your own man. Such a person will be controlled substantially (although not in my opinion all together) by his or her own foolish opinions, selfish desires and worldly priorities. There are lots of people like this. They pronounce: "There's only one life - so make the most of it!" They will do what makes them happy regardless of the happiness of others. Their priority is to look after number one. Thoroughly worldly individuals will do whatever it takes to serve their own interests. Paul warns: Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. v8. (2) You can belong to Jesus. If you belong to Jesus you believe in him. Jesus said to the Jews: ".. you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no-one can snatch them out of my hand." Jn10v26to28. This is meat and drink to me! It is sayings like this upon which I rely and where in I stand. If we belong to Jesus he gives us his Spirit. Paul writes: You, however, are controlled .... by the Spirit ..... if the Spirit of God lives in you. v9. I find this a very misleading translation. Douglas J. Moo's translation reads like this: But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in you. God's Spirit does not control me. Jesus does not describe the Spirit as Master. Jesus is my Master. The Holy Spirit is the one who comes along side to help. He is like a wise, concerned, powerful friend who for Christ's sake has a considerable beneficial influence upon my life and the lives of others. For instance Jesus said: "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth ...... . He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you." Jn16v13and14. See also Jn7v38and39. The Spirit helps us to refresh, restore, replenish and reinvigorate others. See exposition on John7v25to52. God's Holy Spirit does not control me - but he does influence me. He doesn't make me good but helps me to be better. Certain truths follow from Christ's gift of the Spirit: (a) Every Christian - from the moment of conversion - has the Holy Spirit as comforter, advocate, counsellor and enabler. This must follow from what Paul writes: if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. There is no doubt that we could make more use of our friend. Many of us are much too independent - serving ineffectually in our own strength. (b) If we belong to Jesus and have his Spirit then although our bodies will die because of sin our spirits will always live because Christ's righteousness is imputed to us as we exercise faith in him. (c) Finally Paul seems to say that God who raised Jesus from the dead will also bring our bodies back to life on behalf of the Spirit who made them his home. Needless to say verses 10 and 11 are not easy to understand! (D) What is your Christian obligation? See v12and13. (1) An obligation to reject the values and inclinations of the world. Therefore brothers, we have an obligation - but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. v12. The values of the world that should play no part in the Christian's life are summed up by the various "isms":
I daresay you can think of other "isms" to add to the list. If we give ourselves over to any one or combination of "isms" the consequence is eternal death. For if you live according to the sinful nature you will die. (2) An obligation to overcome failures and weaknesses with the help of the Spirit. But if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeads of the body you will live. The best way to expand this is to provide some examples:
Someone might well ask: "How do I make progress?" Ed Wood shared this story he heard about an Indian who had come to Christ. When asked about his new found faith he described it as having two dogs living inside him. One is like an old dog. He is mean, vicious, unmanageable, and downright un-trainable. The second is like a new dog that is obedient, longs to serve Christ, and gives attention to the Lord. He described the two dogs as always fighting to get his attention and wanting to have control over his entire life. When asked what dog wins he replied back with, “The one I feed the most.” It certainly helps to:
Much sin could be prevented by the delayed response. Wait and wait - let your anger cool a little before speaking, writing or acting. Paul writes: If by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body you will live. v13. This is rather a negative way to put it! The Spirit helps us to bear fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Gal5v22and23. If our lives are marked by the fruit of the Spirit then we have the abundant life Jesus promises his followers - and our further reward is eternal life in the age to come. (E) What is your relationship with God? (1) Surely it is not one of suspicion, apprehension and fear! Sadly, legalistic religion has at its core a harsh, demanding and unyielding God. If salvation depends upon keeping numerous rules and the punishment for disobeying them is eternal torment it is highly likely that God will be both feared and disliked. But Paul indicates that this should not be the case. For you did not receive a Spirit that makes you a slave again to fear. (2) If we believe in Jesus and have received the Holy Spirit as our helper we are sons of God. This is a relationship that: (a) The Holy Spirit assures us of: The Spirit himself testifies with our Spirit that we are God's children. The Bible teaches it (see Jn1v12and13) and the Spirit confirms it. (b) Is close, affectionate and intimate. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." v15. There is a little poem that beautifully sums up a Christian's relationship with God:
(c) Should influence our behaviour. Jesus taught us to pray: Our Father which art in heaven hallowed by thy name. Here is the clearest reminder that we should honour God by what we do and say. A pastor named Craig Barns tells the story how when he was a child, his father - who was also a pastor - brought home a 12 year old boy named Roger. Both of Roger’s parents had died from a heroin overdose, so it was very hard for him to adjust to his new circumstance. Craig says every day he heard his dad saying things to Roger like, "No, that’s now how we act in this family," and "No, You don’t have to scream or hurt people to get what you want," and "No Roger, we expect you to show respect in this family." Roger didn’t have to make those changes in order to become part of the family - he was already welcomed into it - but being part of the family meant living a new way. The grace of Craig’s dad made Roger part of the family, but Roger had to work hard to be different once he was in the family. Craig says, "It was tough for Roger to change, but he was motivated by gratitude for the incredible love my dad had shown him. (d) Should thrill our hearts and give us enormous confidence. Paul writes: But you received the spirit of sonship. John tells us: How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1Jn3v1
Ben Hopper, a former Governor of Tennessee, loved to give his testimony. He was illegitimate and because of this was taunted by his classmates at school. On Saturday afternoons when he visited his local town he imagined everyone staring at him and wondering who his father could be.
When Ben was 12 years old a new preacher visited the church he attended. He always got in late and slipped out early but on this occasion the preacher said the benediction so fast he got caught out and had to leave the service with the crowd. When he got to the door Ben felt a big hand on his shoulder. He looked up and the preacher looking down asked, "Who are you son? Whose boy are you?"
Ben Hopper felt the big, black cloud of shame enveloping him. Even the preacher was going to put him down. But eventually the preacher after studying Ben's face smiled a big smile of recognition. "Wait a minute," he said, "I know who you are. I see the family resemblance. You're a son of God." With that he slapped Ben across the rump and said, "Boy, you've got a great inheritance. Go and claim it."
Ben Hopper would always say: "That was the most important single sentence ever said to me." It changed his life. It thrilled his heart and allowed him to go through life with his head held high. (e) We share with others. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. v16. Paul writes: 'WE'. Christians belong to a huge, extended family. Christianity is about fellowship with kindred spirits - and they are everywhere. My friends we need to act towards our fellow Christians AS IF they truly are our brothers and sisters. (f) Promises great things for the future. Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. If indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. The apostle John says in his epistles that we shall see Jesus and be like him. That is our inheritance, to be like Jesus. We shall know even as we are known. We shall have bodies that are imperishable, immortal and glorious. We shall have natures without any inclination to sin whatsoever. We shall enjoy sweet and perfect fellowship with God for ever. We shall dwell in complete and timeless concord with Jesus, and all those who love him, in the new creation. (g) Does not preclude suffering. Christians may have to share in Christ's suffering to share in his glory. God loved his son, Jesus - but did not spare him much suffering, suffering necessary to carry out his great, saving work. So we must expect to suffer too. We may fail, be misunderstood, undervalued and rejected. We may even face antagonism and hostility. But it will all be worth it if we share his glory. In the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, a Japanese gymnast, Shun Fujimoto, was competing in the team competition. Somehow, during the floor exercises, he broke his right knee. It was obvious to all reasonable observers that he would be forced to withdraw. But they reckoned without the determination of a true competitor. On the following day, Fujimoto competed in his strongest event, the rings. His routine was excellent, but the critical point laid ahead — the dismount. Without hesitation, Fujimoto ended with a twisting, triple somersault. There was a moment of intense quiet as he landed with tremendous impact on his wounded knee. Then came thundering applause as he stood his ground. Later, reporters asked about that moment and he replied, “The pain shot through me like a knife. It brought tears to my eyes. But now I have a gold medal and the pain in gone.” Source: Gary Inrig, A Call to Excellence, (Victor Books, a division of SP Publ., Wheaton, Ill, 1985), p. 152. If we stand firm - if we endure the pain - there will be a crown of righteousness for us. (With thanks to the contributors to SermonCentral for some of the illustrations.)
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