FREEDOM

IN
CHRIST

Lesson 9 for the 28th of August, 2010

 WE ARE FREE !!
Who are free? “Therefore, there is now
no condemnation for
THOSE WHO ARE IN
Christ Jesus”
(Romans, 8: 1)

Only those who have a strong

relationship with Christ can be
free; that involves a daily and
fervent union with Him.
 WE ARE FREE !!
“Because through
Christ Jesus the law What are we free
of the Spirit of life from?
set me free from
THE LAW OF SIN
AND DEATH ”
(Romans, 8: 2)

Unlike the law of sin, the

law of the Spirit brings life
and freedom. The law of sin
only brings death and
damnation.
How can we obtain freedom?

“For WHAT THE LAW WAS POWERLESS

TO DO in that it was weakened by the
sinful nature, GOD DID BY SENDING HIS
OWN SON in the likeness of sinful man to
be a sin offering. And so HE CONDEMNED
SIN IN THE FLESH ” (Romans, 8: 3)

1. Not by the law, because it can only

condemn us, since we are sinners.
2. Through the life and death of Christ who
became flesh and lived without sin.
 “In this passage, Paul explains that a
Christian can be victorious over sin now.
He couldn’t obtain that kind of victory
by the law, but God provided the
necessary power when He sent His Son.
Christ suffered the punishment of sin
when He died, but He also destroyed the
control of death and removed it from
those who follow Him. His whole
mission can be reduced to “on account
of sin”. He came to confront sin and to
provide a remedy; to make atonement
for sin, to destroy it and to sanctify and
save its victims”
SDA Bible Commentary, on Romans, 8: 3
 How do we react when we obtain
freedom?

“in order that the righteous requirements of

the law might be fully met in us, WHO DO
NOT WALK ACCORDING TO THE FLESH
BUT ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT ”
(Romans, 8: 4)

“To walk” means the way we live everyday in

this text.
We are no longer controlled by our own
desires, but by the dictates and guide of the
Holy Spirit, who lives inside us.
Therefore, to walk according to the Spirit
means to live according to the request of the
law: a life of love and loving obedience.
 How can we know
if we are living
according to the
flesh or according
to the Spirit
(Romans, 8: 5-8)?

LIVING ACCORDING LIVING ACCORDING

TO THE FLESH TO THE SPIRIT Do you live
• Doing and thinking • Doing and thinking
about the things of the
flesh.
about the things of the
flesh.
according
• The result is death. • The result is life and

• Falling out with God and

peace.
• Being a son of God and
to the
not being able to please living to please Him.
Him.
• Not being able to obey • They submit to the law
flesh or
the law of God. of God.
the Spirit?
 “If we devote our minds to the things of the Spirit and allow Him to
govern our thoughts and desires, every part of our souls will live
together in perfect and revitalizing harmony. Then we will live and
advance joy of the future life (Eph. 1: 13-14). The presence of the Holy
Spirit produces love, joy and peace in our lives (Gal. 5: 22); that is the
beginning of the kingdom of God in us, since It is “righteousness,
peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14: 17)
Those who care about “the Spirit”
and walk “according to the Spirit”
(chap. 8: 1) enjoy the peace of
forgiveness and reconciliation (chap.
5: 1). The love of God “has been
poured out” in their hearts (chap. 5:
5) and they have joy and are
encouraged because the
requirements of the law are
SDA Bible Commentary, on Romans, 8: 6 fulfilled in their lives (chap. 8: 4)”
 We cannot think of the things of the Spirit by ourselves, so how can live
thinking on spiritual things (Romans, 8: 9-14)?
“AND IF THE SPIRIT OF HIM WHO RAISED JESUS
FROM THE DEAD IS LIVING IN YOU, HE who raised
Christ from the dead WILL ALSO GIVE LIFE TO YOUR
MORTAL BODIES THROUGH HIS SPIRIT, WHO LIVES
IN YOU ” (Romans, 8: 11)
We can be spiritual only if we are under the guidance and the influence of
the Holy Spirit, just allowing him to live in us.
The Spirit lives in us when there is a close relationship between the Spirit
and us.
That involves a constant submission to God’s will.
The Spirit is powerful to fully transform our lives.
The fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace) will grow in our lives thanks to that
transformation.
If we allow the Holy Spirit to have full control of us, He will give us power to
obey the law of God and we will delight in it.
 Which are the present and future results of living
according to the Spirit?
“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear,
but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba,
Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that WE ARE GOD’S
CHILDREN. Now if we are children, then we are heirs –HEIRS OF GOD
AND CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST, if indeed we share in his sufferings in
order that we may also share in his glory” (Romans, 8: 15-17)

RESENT
We are free from fear because ourFUTURE
We will inherit the kingdom of
sins have been forgiven. glory and the eternal life.
We are adopted as God’s children. We will be glorified with Christ.
God is our daddy and He gives
protection and care.
We are God’s heirs since we are His
sons.
Christ shares his inheritance with us.
We suffer with Christ.
 What has been promised to those who live according to the Spirit?

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our

weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray
for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with
groans that words cannot express” (Romans, 8: 26)

“And we know that in all things God works for the

good of those who love him, who have been called
according to his purpose” (Romans, 8: 28)

“What, then, shall we say in response to this? If

God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans, 8: 31)
 What has been promised to those who live according to the Spirit?

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up
for us all --how will he not also, along with him,
graciously give us all things?” (Romans, 8: 32)

“¿Quién nos separará del amor de Cristo?

¿Tribulación, o angustia, o persecución, o hambre, o
desnudez, o peligro, o espada?” (Romans, 8: 35)

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors

through him who loved us. For I am convinced that
neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
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” (Romans, 8: 37-39)