Notes on Verse 1-17
THERE is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Gods law as given through Moses is just and every breach of the law must be paid for: an eye for an eye, life for life, etc. As Christians we have broken these laws like everybody else, so why do unbelievers have to pay for their sins and believers do not?
Some may say as Christians we are under Gods grace and God overlooks our sins. But this is not true. The Apostle Peter says in the Book of Acts 10:34: “I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.” Meaning he does not show partiality.
Gods justice requires all sins to be paid for, so if all have sinned how do any escape the judgement of God?
In fact one man did keep the law, who of course was Jesus. By coming to fulfil the righteous requirements of the law he gave us a path back to God. But this does not answer the question: Why did he have to die?
As I stated before, every sin needs to be paid for. So Jesus after having lived an indestructible life and fulfilling the righteous requirements of the law, went by his Fathers will to the cross where God put our sins on Him and he bore the punishment for our sins. This is best expressed in Isaiah 53.
We can see Jesus distress in:
Luke 22:41-44 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an Angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
We also see in Mark 15:34 Jesus saying: “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me.” Jesus had always called God his Father, he now called him God, why? Because Jesus was on the cross in our place, bearing our sins, not his own.
In John 19:30 we see Jesus’ final words before he died: Τετέλεσται or transliterated Tetelestai meaning: ‘it is finished’ or ‘paid in full’. This is what was stamped on prison documents after a person had served a prison sentience. That document then became proof they had paid their debt to society. So when Jesus says ‘paid in full’ or ‘it is finished’ he is saying he has paid for our sins in full.
Therefore as Christians it is not that we getting away with our sins, it is that Jesus has already paid our debt for those sins.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Leviticus 18:5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: That the Man that fulfils the law, through him is life: I am the Lord.
Hebrews 7:16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but according to the power of an indestructible life.
Jesus didn’t do away with the law, but rather fulfilled it.
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
So many might ask at this point if Jesus fulfilled the law and we are saved through him, how were the people that lived before Jesus’ time justified if the law cannot save?
They are saved the same way we are, through faith in Jesus. Hebrews 11:13 tells us they died not having received the promises of God but having seen them afar off, and they embraced them.
We can clearly see this through Abraham in Genesis 22 when God commanded him to offer his beloved son as a burnt offering. Abraham obeyed God amongst other reasons, because of Abrahams belief in the resurrection from the dead.
Hebrews 11:17 tells us that by faith, Abraham when he was tested offered up Isaac, of whom the promises of God were made. Abraham concluding that God was able to raise him up from the dead trusted God to do this and to keep his promises.
By this same faith Abraham acted out prophecy in Genesis 22 when he said to Isaac: “God will provide himself the lamb for the burnt offering.” He was also a model (prophesy) of the later offering of Jesus when he played the role of the father putting to death his son for a sin offering.
We also see in Habakkuk 2:4: “the righteous through his faith shall live.”
No one except Christ has been justified by the law, not even Abraham. Rather Abraham became the father of the faithful through faith in Christ and is justified by faith even as we are.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also give life to your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
So what does it mean to put to death the deeds of the body? Jesus in Matthew 16:24 said it another way: “If any man will follow me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.”
When we are baptised into Christ the submersion in water signifies our death to this world and we are raised up again in the spirit. Jesus says in John 3:5: “I say to you, except a man be born of water and the spirit, he can not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
To die to this world means we put everything of our own aside including our own ambition for worldly things and we begin to live for the service of God and the kingdom.
So what is our service to be? It’s very clear to me that God expects us to bear fruit for the kingdom. Jesus makes this clear in the parables of the fig tree:
Luke 13:6 – He spoke also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
Also in the parable of the sower:
Mark 4:3 – Behold, there went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the birds of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel unto the entire creation.
Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
It is clear that God in these and many other places commands us to bear fruit and to bring new people into the kingdom of God. At the end of the book of Daniel we see Gods thoughts on those that bear fruit:
Daniel 12:3 – Those who are wise shall shine, like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Again this passage highlights we are to suffer with Christ in this life in order to obtain the rewards with him in the age to come. And I think that is a good summary of what faith is. It’s living this life with an eye to eternal life. Many early Christians and also Christians of today in other countries are prepared to literally give up their lives for Christ because their confidence in the resurrection from the dead and life eternal. I think the patriarchs and prophets of the Old Testament are a good example of this and the book of Hebrews summaries this well.
But to be called heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, how amazing are these promises of God?
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Notes on Verse 31-39
31 What shall we say then about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
For those walking with Christ in obedience to God no one can stand against them spiritually speaking.
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how will he together with him, not also bestow on us all things?
The father in offering his son to save us has already given us his most precious gift: The sacrifice of his son that we may live in him. If God was prepared to do this for us, how will he not also give us all things as this verse says?
33 Who shall bring charges against God’s elect? It is God that justifies?
So if God has done all this for us do you think he is seeking an occasion to condemn us? Clearly not.
34 Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died, and even more, that has risen again? Who is also at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Also as Jesus sacrificed his life for us, will he then condemn us? But we know his role is to make intercession for us with the father.
Unfortunately there are too many Christians that twist these scriptures to claim that once you have confessed the Lord Jesus you are saved and can’t lose your salvation, even if you are not obedient too him.
When reading the scriptures you have to take what is being said in context. These verses are talking about Gods elect, not about everyone that claims to be a Christian. If we want to see how Gods elect conduct themselves in regards to God you need look no further than the examples laid out before us in the letter to the Hebrews which set before us the examples of the patriarchs and prophets.
So if our father and Jesus will not bring charges against us, who will? The book of Job gives a clear insight into the workings of Satan in regards to Gods elect:
Job1:6-12 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Revelation 12:9-11 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his Angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
So we see that it is Satan that accuses us before God and that God is no respecter of persons as Peter says. So what does this mean? It means that as much as God is for us and trying to help us work out our salvation with him, that he can not also show us bias when we do wrong.
He has given us his Son, his Holy Spirit and all things but it is up to us to walk in the power of what he has given us, or to continue in our sins. And remember:
Romans 14:23 for whatsoever is not of faith is sin
Hebrews 10:24-31 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
So we see that God has given us the power to overcome sin in our lives, not an excuse to continue on in them.
35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
This is a great passage that shows us that no one can separate us from the love of Christ. But again because of the false teaching out there I must emphasis that the promises of God seem to be to those that love him, not those he loves.
John 14:15 If you love me, keep my commandments.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good, to those that love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose.
36 As it is written, On account of you we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to the slaughter.
This verse really speaks against those who call themselves Christians but preach that the Gospel is for wealth and gain in this life.
The clear theme of the Bible is that the people of God are persecuted for speaking openly about the true faith by those that seek God not by obedience but by works only or faith only. Clearly if the true Christian is walking in obedience to God he is practicing his faith by producing good works for the kingdom of God.
Some preach we suffer persecution because we are Christians, but this is not really true. People may think you are weird if you are Christian but this generally does not produce any sort of real persecution or physical danger. Real persecution comes from preaching the word in its fullness which condemns the sinner. It is the condemnation that comes from the Word of God; that if preached fully brings true persecution to the Christian and this is what the preceding verse is referring to. In the Gospels we see people trying to kill Jesus regularly and the Apostles too in the Book of Acts.
37 But, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loves us.
We also see in the Book of Acts the Apostles and Saints continuing bravely in spite of this physical danger. They were conquerors in that they did not let the threat of physical danger get in the way of boldly proclaiming the Word of God. Hebrews gives an important insight in how they were able to be so bold:
Hebrews 2:14-15 Then, forasmuch as the children share in common flesh and blood, he likewise, himself also took part in the same nature; so that by means of death, he might bring to nothing him that has the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver those, who through fear of death, were all of their life subject to bondage.
True faith then is to see beyond this life to the promise of eternal life with God. This is what Jesus meant when he said:
John 12:25 He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
But we should thank God everyday that most of us live in countries and in a time when we will not be put to death for our preaching.
Isn’t it funny, in the days when Christians proclaimed the Gospel in danger of their lives they did so boldly. But in these days where we are relatively safe we whimper away from boldly proclaiming Gods Word to the unbelieving and Christians that follow false doctrines.
Am I advocating we all go out on street corners and start preaching? Not really. Unfortunately most people in the west have heard some form of the Gospel and also seen the hypocrisy in so called Christians and the Church. They have seen Christians breaking the second commandment of God:
Exodus 20:7 You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain.
This isn’t so much talking about swearing, although it might cover that too. What it is really saying is that if you take upon you the name of God, you represent him amongst the nonbelievers. If you take his name and disgrace yourself or practice hypocrisy it reflects badly on God and prevents others from coming too him.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor spiritual powers, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor powers in the world above, nor powers in the world below, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Matthew 16:15-19 He said to them, But whom do you say that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood has not revealed it to you, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also to you, That you are Peter, and upon this bedrock I will build my congregation; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
So we are fighting against spiritual powers but we are on Earth in a physical world. As our job is to turn the hearts of the unconverted to God; in this task we are indeed fighting against spiritual powers, not the people under their power. We are trying to free these people into the liberty of Christ that they maybe saved.
Notice also that Jesus says the gates of Hades will not be able to prevail against the people of God (congregation). Think about what is being said!
If you attack a city it is the attackers that are at the gates of the defenders! Isn’t it? So what Jesus is saying is the gates of Hades (death) will not be able to withstand the attack from the people of God. We also see this in Gods promise to Abraham about his seed (Christ):
Genesis 22:16-18 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
So God has commanded us to bear fruit to set at liberty the captives! Yet we sit around praying, singing and listening to a watered down version of the word and we call ourselves Gods children? We need to be at the gates of Hades to defeat death through the power he has given us!
Clearly Jesus’ mission wasn’t just to last 3 years it was to be carried on by his people who are also known in the scriptures as the body of Christ. We are to continue on as he did and bring many to repentance and the knowledge of God.
So does this mean we will wipe death from the face of the Earth and bring in a time of peace? No! Clearly their are not enough faithful people of God to do this, rather we need to work to save as many as we can.
Romans 11:1-3 I SAY then, Has God rejected his people? Certainly Not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away his people which he foreknew; or do you not know what the scripture says of Elijah? how he pleaded to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed your prophets, and torn down your altars; and I am the only one left, and they desire to take my life.
Romans 11:4-5 But what does he say in answer? I have reserved for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal. So then, also at this present time there are a remnant according to the election of grace.
Romans 11:7-8 What then? That thing desired by all Israel it has not obtained, but rather the elect only has obtained it, and the rest of them hardened. (Just as it is written: God has given them a spirit of incomprehension, eyes that cannot see, and ears that cannot hear;) until this day.
If God cast away Israel because of disobedience and only reserved seven thousand for himself at that time, what makes you think that God will not judge the Church just as hard for its disobedience and lack of faithfulness? Do you really thing God has double standards?
Anyway this is a big study in itself. If you’d like to read more on this please read my studies on: