In my study today in Romans 8, I found that there is an emphasis on the Spirit of God verses the flesh. Paul was talking about this in Romans 7 when he talked about the struggle between the flesh and the Spirit. But, now he tells us that as believers we are under no obligation verse 12 to the flesh to continue to live that way.
These verses help the reader to understand that the flesh is hostile to God and doesn't want or know how to please God vs.7. Following the flesh leads to death. Following the Spirit leads to peace and life. You can't have it both ways. In fact, having or not having the Spirit of God within you is proof that you are or are not a christian. Because it says in Ephesians 1:13-14 that the Holy Spirit is our pledge as believers of our coming inheritance. Now there is no condemnation for the believer in Christ verse 1.
Two other great truths I found in these verses is that we are now adopted children of God. John 1:12 says that the one who received him he gave the right to become children of God. Because we are adopted, that further means that we have an inheritance. Just as it says in Galatians 4:7 we are no longer a slave, but a son. A child of God who has an inheritance waiting for him or her.
These verses help the reader to understand that the flesh is hostile to God and doesn't want or know how to please God vs.7. Following the flesh leads to death. Following the Spirit leads to peace and life. You can't have it both ways. In fact, having or not having the Spirit of God within you is proof that you are or are not a christian. Because it says in Ephesians 1:13-14 that the Holy Spirit is our pledge as believers of our coming inheritance. Now there is no condemnation for the believer in Christ verse 1.
Two other great truths I found in these verses is that we are now adopted children of God. John 1:12 says that the one who received him he gave the right to become children of God. Because we are adopted, that further means that we have an inheritance. Just as it says in Galatians 4:7 we are no longer a slave, but a son. A child of God who has an inheritance waiting for him or her.
