Read Romans 8:1-17

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. ¹¹ 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 because of his Spirit who lives in you.

¹² Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ 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.

Big Idea: We live in victory through the power of the Holy Spirit!

Because the tomb is empty, you no longer have to live as a slave to your old sin patterns, addictions, and thought life. Jesus conquered death, opening our access to the Father that through Him, we may have “life and have it to the full” (John 10:10). Through faith and grace, we become adopted sons and daughters of the Most High God and given the Holy Spirit to live inside of us. That SAME POWER that raised Jesus from the tomb now lives inside of YOU!

Now as fully forgiven, loved, adopted children, we learn daily to “not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.” We do this through intentional pursuit to know Him and learn from Him. As we purposely seek God each day, the Holy Spirit will reveal to us things to take off and put on (Ephesians 4:20-30), transform our mind to think like Him (Romans 12:2), and give us a heart for people far from Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). The Holy Spirit will help you live strong (2 Timothy 1:14), overcome the lies of the enemy (1 John 4:4), and live in victory (1 Corinthians 15:57). He will change and transform you to “reflect the Lord’s glory” (2 Corinthians 3:17-18) so that those around you begin to see the fruit of the Spirit in your life (Galatians 5:22-24). As you learn daily to “keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25), you become a usable vessel listening and responding to the Holy Spirit leading (1 Corinthians 12:8-11).

This power all comes from God (Philippians 2:13). It is not something we work up or produce by will power (Galatians 3:3). Spend time with God (1 Corinthians 2:10-13). Seek Him above all else (2 Peter 1:3-8). Be quick to repent of sin or anything that does not please Him (2 Corinthians 5:9, 7:10). Surrender your life each day to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit!

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