Having now turned from things that were grieving and quenching the Spirit, in this week we prayerfully welcome His fullness and power. May there be a sense of hunger and holy desperation as we pray for a fresh outpouring and infilling of the Holy Spirit on our lives and in our churches. Come, Holy Spirit!

Transcript

I love contrasts. They can really capture an idea. Sometimes, they’re funny—like me at an OG Hmong event. I’m like a giant. Other times, they’re heart-warming—like the before and after pictures of adopted dogs Other times, they’re disturbing—like the contrast between BLM protests and the capital riots

Few things paint a picture like a contrast. That’s why I like today’s passage. It contrasts a life lived your own strength and willpower or a life lived by the power of the Holy Spirit.

And here’s what this passage offers: a way out of that sin or hurtful behavior that you can’t seem to beat. That thing you do that you wish you didn’t do or didn’t do as much. Maybe it’s been with you for years. Maybe it crept back into your life during quarantine. Whatever it is for you, this passage speaks hope into your seemingly unbeatable sin.

We’re going to look at a few verses from the Apostle Paul out of Romans 8. This is a book full of heavy theology, so I’m going to read it out of the New Living Translation because it’s a little easier to understand.

Let’s start with verse 1: “1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”

Can we just sit with that for a moment? Because you need to year this today. There is no condemnation for YOU… if you belong to Christ Jesus.

Why don’t we have to worry about condemnation? Here’s why: “2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”

When you belong to Jesus, you are freed from the power of sin that leads to death. Do not be mistaken! Sin leads to death—physical death, spiritual death, relational death, societal death. But the Holy Spirit gives life and gives freedom.

Then Paul elaborates with some Old Testament context. “3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.”

This verse talks about three problems with living by our own wants and desires. (The Bible calls that “the flesh”.)

1. Our flesh will always want rules and laws, so that we can earn our worth to God. We will always fall short of those rules. Our spirit feels perpetually defeated, so we return back to #1—more rules It’s an ever-repeating, self-defeating cycle. That’s what happened in the Old Testament, and it’s still happening with us today.

So, God gave us a way to break the cycle. He sent his son, Jesus Christ, to die on a cross as a sacrifice for our sins.

Why would God do this? Paul answers next. “4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. 5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.”

Here’s the contrast again. You can follow your sin nature (your flesh) or follow the Holy Spirit. Mark my words—something will control your mind. It’ll either be your sin nature—your selfishness, pride, insecurity, anger, fear, self-righteousness. Or will it be the Holy Spirit, who gives love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. The Bible says that one leads to death and the other leads to life and peace. What’s your choice?

At the beginning, I said that this passage offered a way out of that sin or hurtful behavior that you can’t seem to beat. And here it is: Belonging to Christ sets you free. But walking in the Spirit keeps you free.

When you believe in Jesus, when you accept him as your personal Lord and Savior, you are set free from the power of sin and death. You are forgiven, and you are no longer condemned for your sin.

But, we have a problem. We keep going back to our sin because we keep allowing our mind to be controlled by our flesh, our sin nature. We go back to the chains that Jesus freed us from.

How do we prevent this? Walk daily with the Holy Spirit of God.

Belonging to Christ sets you free. But walking in the Spirit keeps you free.

You might be thinking, “This all sounds great, but HOW do I walk in the Spirit?” I want to give you four principles to guide you.

1. Walking in the Spirit is relationship-based.

It isn’t just a religion or a set of rules, it’s a relationship with a living Savior and the Spirit he gave you. It’s personal. It’s intimate.

2. Walking in the Spirit is Spirit-empowered.

This is not about you trying harder or being better. You can’t, by your own willpower, carry out your good intentions. The Holy Spirit is the one empowering you to live a life that honors God.

3. Walking in the Spirit looks a certain way.

The fruit of the Spirit doesn’t change with time, personality, or culture. A person led by the Spirit, whoever they are, will always demonstrate love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.

4. Walking in the Spirit requires one actual choice at a time.

The Spirit empowers us, but we still have to make choices, every day. The Holy Spirit doesn’t simply take over your will. You still have to make the choices, one day at a time, one step at a time.

Remember, belonging to Christ sets you free. But walking in the Spirit keeps you free. So, let’s walk in the Spirit together, starting with today.