Page 55 - Romans Student Textbook.doc

The big picture of what Jesus has done. (5:1-12)

How Jesus compares to Adam. (5:13-21)

Questions about the relationship between sin and grace. (6:1-23)

Questions about the relationship between sin and law. (7:1-25)

How the Holy Spirit works with Christ in the work of salvation. (8:1-30)

A Concluding Doxological Homily. (8:31-39)

9.4 Chapter 8 - How the Holy Spirit works with Christ in Salvation.

Having discussed the relationship between grace and sin (Ch. 6) and law and sin (Ch. 7), Paul
ended Romans 7 by pointing out in quite dramatic language that the only hope one has for
rescue from the choking, stifling, killing power of sin in the life of an individual comes through
the person and work of Jesus Christ. He proclaimed this hope in answer to the question, “Who
will deliver me from this body of death?” (Rom. 7:24) The answer: “Thanks be to God through
Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Rom. 7:25). This declaration begs the question, “Exactly how does this rescue
from sin become effective in one’s life?” It is the answering of this question that is the focus of Romans 8.
In it Paul explained how the Holy Spirit works with Christ in providing salvation to former slaves of sin. The
first 30 verses of this chapter answer this question. Having the answer in hand, Paul then broke out into
passage of praise that summarizes the message of the letter to this point as it directs our hearts to
worship the great glory of God’s grace.

Those who trust in Christ are indwelt by the Spirit and therefore they are to live according to the Spirit,
lives pleasing to God that receive none of the condemnation that sin deserves. (8:1-11)

One of the abiding lessons of Romans 1-2 was that sin deserves condemnation. Paul began his last section
of his explanation of Christ’s redeeming ministry by stating boldly and clearly the impact of Christ’s work
for those who trust in Him. They no longer stand condemned before God because of their sin because of
what Christ has done for them. Through His work they have been graciously set free from the law of sin
and death under which they formerly lived. This declaration gives rise to questions. The primary one is
“How did God do this and how does He make the work of Jesus effectual in the lives of those who trust in
Him?” Paul wrote this paragraph to answer just such a question.

The focus of this paragraph is not so much on the means by which Jesus accomplished salvation as it is on
how that saving work was made effective in the life of those who trust in Christ. He says enough about
what Christ did in his life (v. 3), death (v. 4, 11) and resurrection (v. 11) to build a foundation from which
he could explain how the Holy Spirit applied the work of Christ to the hearts of those who believe. Ten
times in eleven verses Paul referred specifically to the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is credited with setting
believers free from the law of sin and death (v. 2); with being the one who directs how redeemed sinners
are to think and act (vv. 4-5); with being the one who empowers obedience to God’s law (vv. 6-8); and
with being the one dwells in the believer to provide life and confirm ones saving relationship with Christ
(vv. 9-11). It is through the work of the Spirit, then, that those who are redeemed can think right, act right,
believe right and live with joy and peace lives that please God. In Christ through the work of the Spirit
those who trust in Christ and his faithful saving work stand before God as righteous rather than as
condemned.

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