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Q6. (Romans 8:15-16) How does the Holy Spirit inspire us to pray 'Abba, Father'? What is the significance of us referring to God as our Dad? When we come to Christ for salvation, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us. He reveals to us the person of Christ, God’s compassionate love for us, and our adoption as beloved children. He confirms with our spirit that we are related to God now, not as enemies, but as beloved children. As a child in my earthly family, home was a place where I felt safe, loved, accepted, protected and cared for. My father’s arms were both strong and gentle and his countenance welcomed me to come near. Addressing God as “Abba, Father” expresses significantly this new relationship I have through Christ, one of intimate belonging, love and security. What happens in our lives if we don't have some kind of personal assurance of our salvation? How do we receive this kind of personal assurance? There’s no rest or ease in a relationship where I’m always wondering, “how does this person feel about me?” and “where do I stand?”. Personal assurance of my salvation allows me to fully enjoy God’s presence and friendship. I understand there’s nothing I can do to have Him love me more or less. Even in discipline, I know I am loved. If we are truly saved, we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit and are assured we belong to Him. Our sense of assurance may falter at times, but I must rely on His unchanging promises and character, and ultimately the cross that settled my debt. As I grow in knowledge and understanding of God’s covenant love for me and my life exhibits love and obedience to Him, I am assured of my adoption.

Q5. (Romans 8:13-14) What does it mean to "mortify" or "put to death" the deeds of the body by the Spirit? What would it look like to watch a person do this? To “mortify” or to “put to death” my sinful passions/deeds certainly doesn’t conjure up a passive walk in the park. Rather there is a sense of the seriousness of the matter and that I am actively involved in the process. It means I consciously examine my sinful attitudes, actions and priorities, that are now in opposition to my new love and Master, and willfully fight to align all my life to His ways. I do this by first setting my mind on the things of the Spirit - renewing my mind with the truth of His Word, thereby cultivating a sensitivity to sin and a desire to please Him. The fruit of this will be evidenced by obvious choices I make - what I do with my time, how I respond to people and circumstances, the words I speak, what I care about. What does it mean to be "led" by the Spirit? What does this look like in actual practice? To be led by the Spirit infers that I’ve got my eyes and attention on Christ, that I’ve taken hold of His hand willingly and gratefully. His voice I love to hear and His voice has become authoritative in directing my path. The attitude of my heart directing my behavior can’t help but change because I have Him as my shepherd and teacher. How do "putting to death" and being "led" by the Spirit fit together? How much of this is the Spirit and how much is us? They are partners working together for the same purpose. The sanctifying work in my life begins and ends with the power of Christ in me, but He requires my compliance and cooperation. I think of Heb. 12:1-2. Because Jesus is the author and perfecter of my faith, I energetically lay aside every weight of sin to run hard after Him. I think too of John 15:4-5. I can do nothing apart from abiding in Christ, but when He is my source of life and I am intimately connected to Him, the fruit of my life is identifiably of His vineyard. 2 Pet. 1:3-8 clearly describes this dual relationship of “His divine power” enabling godliness and our “every effort to supplement our faith” with the obedience of faith.

Q4. (Romans 8:12) Do we have to sin? Are we compelled to sin? Is it possible to live for two hours of wakefulness without sinning? Four hours? One day? Two days? Paul has labored thus far in the chapters we’ve been studying to conclusively teach that we no longer have to sin nor are we compelled to sin because “the law of sin and of death” no longer rules in the born again believer. Rather the “law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free” (Rom.8:2). We also understand that although sin and its power have been defeated and mortally weakened for the child of God, it hasn’t been annihilated. Hence, Paul tells us “do not let sin reign…and do not go on presenting the members of your body (6:12-13). There’s still a fight to be waged. Growing in holiness is the life long business of the true believer. I understand the Bible to teach that on this side of glory we will not achieve sinlessness, but we can and should demonstrate increasing victory over sin and lives that look more and more like Christ. (2 Cor. 3:18, Phil. 1:6, 3:12-14, 1 Jn. 3:2-3, 1 Pet. 1:5-8) Where do we Christians get such a defeatist attitude towards sin? From Scripture? We love the idea of grace and forgiveness, and indeed we have these in Christ. But we trample upon them when we herald them as an “easy pass” for ongoing sin. Sadly also, many of our pulpits lower the bar of God’s standard and His eternal purpose for those who have been redeemed by His sacrifice. A defeatist attitude is only an excuse for staying stuck, lukewarm, and denying the power available to us. If I or anyone else finds ourselves there in that awful hamster wheel of defeat, there is a remedy. We can get back on track and there is grace and forgiveness for us. Victory will begin with repentance and then nurtured by a resolved surrendered to His Lordship, getting in the Word, fellowship, accountability, perhaps new friends/influences and forsaking of old ones are needed. 2 Pet.1:3 boldly proclaims that “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”

Q3. (Romans 8:9) Is it possible to be a Christian without the Holy Spirit residing in us? The Scriptures are quite clear here in Rom. 8:9 and in other passages like Eph. 1:13-14 that the in dwelling of the Spirit is given by God in response to genuine faith at the moment of salvation. “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation~having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance…” Jesus, in explaining to Nicodemus how a person could be brought into the kingdom of God, said, “unless one is born again” (Jn. 3:3) or is “born of the Spirit” (3:8) he can’t enter. What is the difference (if any) between the indwelling of the Spirit and the fullness of the Spirit? So many admonitions of Paul in various epistles indicate that believers who possess the indwelling of the Spirit are not necessarily living in the fullness of the Spirit. [1 Thess. 5:19, Eph. 4:30-31] It is entirely possible for believers to hinder, neglect, grieve and quench the Spirit by allowing sin to remain unaddressed in our lives. The Spirit may dwell in our house but He’s sequestered to a closet and not given free range of the entire place. We can be complacent Christians who live defeated, ineffective lives that lack the fullness of joy, victory over sin, and fruit bearing that is possible when the Spirit reigns without limits. How do we remain "full" of the Spirit? ~Daily surrendering to the Lordship of Christ, nourishing our souls with the Word, repenting of known sin, fellowshipping with the body of Christ, seeking and praising Him in prayer, committing to obey Him in action. I’ve learned through experience that my relationship with Christ must be fresh, intentional and in the present-tense to be viable. My walk will become stale and lifeless without my active pursuit and daily surrender/dependence on the person of the Holy Spirit. His controlling presence must be welcomed and yielded to in love and glad allegiance.

Q2. (Romans 8:5-6) Exactly what does it mean to set your mind on the things of the Spirit? How do you do this? These are such great questions! Setting my mind on the things of the Spirit is certainly not a mere glance or a nod of agreement. It is a deliberate direction of my mind and orientation of my life. I tune my ears to hear the Shepherd’s voice above all others. With my eyes I behold Christ in the Scriptures and with my heart meditate on these truths. I counter not just the behaviors of my sinful life, but overturn the source of them that flow from my heart and mind. I do this by exposing myself to God’s truth and committing through the Holy Spirit’s help to walk in that way. I also turn away from outlets and influences that lead me away from pleasing God. How can you recognize when the things you're setting your mind on relate to your sinful nature? How much of this is deliberate? How much is habit? When I’m sensitive to the Spirit’s leading, it doesn’t take long to connect the dots. Sinful thinking will show up as a disgruntled, unloving, self-excusing attitude or behaviors that cause me to feel guilty and in bondage to. I think it’s important to remember that every habit began with a deliberate choice. And so every way out of a sinful habit or response is by a deliberate choice~and mostly a choice to repent, surrender, and yield rather than try, try, try again. What part does the Holy Spirit have it this? Or is this primarily right living by force of will? Any sanctification in my life is because of God’s gift of grace and the person of the Holy Spirit working to renew every aspect of my being, but it is a cooperative effort requiring my submission and active pursuit. I can be given a brand new car to drive but unless I get in the seat and put it in drive, it is of no use getting me from where I am to where I want to go. Setting my mind on the things of the Spirit is not, “Let go and let God” but “Let go (surrender) and join God”. My faith is only genuine and living faith if it causes me to act on what is true and available to me. I can desire to spend time learning from the Word and listening to God, but I still need to set my alarm and get out of bed!

Q1. (Romans 8:3-4) Why can't obedience to the law save us? What is the weak link? What then does it take to save us? We are utterly unable to produce in ourselves the righteous living in thought and deed that the law requires. The unregenerate heart of man is desperately wicked. The sin sickness we inherited from Adam dwells inside us and can’t be overcome by human effort. The law condemns sin and sin reigns in me apart from a new birth in Christ. The weak link is the human heart that is corrupted by the sinful nature. Only a loving, compassionate God who could supply a righteousness not of our own making or doing can save us. Sin’s wages is death. Jesus took our place as the perfect Lamb of God ~ He was cursed for us. Through faith in Christ we are counted “not guilty”. Again we see the marvelous grace granted to us by our union with Christ.

Q5. (Romans 7:14-25) Christians disagree about who is the "I" in Romans 7. Is Paul referring to himself or others? What is your opinion? (We won't all agree here, but we'll learn what the issues are by taking and arguing for a position -- lovingly). I can certainly see why there is disagreement on who the “I” is in Rom. 7. After all Paul has stated about the defeat of sin’s dominion in the believer, it can feel disappointing to hear this testimony of struggle in these verses. Rom. 7:14 in particular doesn’t appear to be the testimony of a rescued person. However, having asked to take a position, I’m inclined to think Paul is not stating a fact of bondage but expressing the grief of the remaining traces of sin. I believe Paul is describing the conflict (one he has known himself) that is experienced because of the remnant of indwelling sin in the regenerated heart - this nature that’s been defeated but not fully eradicated. He certainly wanted to make clear we can have no confidence or victory in our own efforts to be inwardly holy. Perhaps he’s describing the Christian who thinks obeying the law will transform his heart, or the believer who is battling a besetting sin. I have areas in my life that have greater resistance to laying down my will. This section tells me also how challenging it is to “reckon myself dead to sin” and truly live in to that reality. There is a real dynamic of being born again in the Spirit (a point in time) and learning how to walk in the Spirit (over time). Putting to death the deeds of the flesh, being renewed in the spirit of our mind, buffeting our body, and applying all diligence to our faith all speak of an ongoing process of becoming more Christlike. The struggle with remaining sin exists, but it’s not a stale mate. As believers we can and should expect to take new ground through yielding to the Spirit’s power.

Q4. (Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 15:18-20; Romans 7:24) What is the doctrine of "total depravity"? Put it in your own words. Does it mean that none of God's original goodness shows through? Then what does it mean? Why does modern man tend to believe that man is basically good? How does this differ from what the Bible teaches? Total depravity describes the extent of sin’s effects in every human heart. No part of a person - his/her will, emotions, desires and actions are left untouched or unscathed. Sin is like a cancer, infecting every cell of the soul. It doesn’t mean every person is as evil as they could be, but every person is capable of every evil. Because we are made in his image and the law is written on our hearts, some glimpses of God’s goodness can be seen, but all man’s “righteous acts” are tainted with impure motives, the desire for recognition, acceptance, and void of seeking God’s glory. The passage in Jeremiah states painfully clear that the heart of man is above all description - deceitful or deceived and desperately wicked. We don’t understand or acknowledge our true heart condition. Romans 1 tells us that sin has caused us to suppress the truth in unrighteousness, to live independent of God, and to replace the rightful worship of God with false idols. We are naturally prideful, rebellious and, at worst, believe we should “improve” ourselves. The Bible teaches a very different diagnosis. It says none are righteous, no one seeks God, all have gone astray, and all fall short of the glory of God. Mankind doesn’t need reformation but rescuing and a brand new heart. What we need most, only the sacrificial love and undeserved grace of God can remedy.

Q3. (Romans 7:12; 8:3) What does the law do well? What does it do poorly? Why is the law (knowing right and wrong) powerless to save us? What is the problem here? The role of the Law is to reveal sin and make mankind accountable to God. It does well in showcasing His character and holding up God’s holy standard. The Law is limited and falls short in that it can’t alter the sinful nature within me. Even more so, it awakens the sleeping bear of self centered passions and desires. It tells me how to live righteously but doesn’t provide the power to do so. If my problem were only an external moral code, perhaps some could attain it. But the problem is my heart which is deceitfully wicked and corrupt at its core. Apart from the transforming power of Christ’s life in me, my natural affections and appetites will be the dominating force. I can never by my own righteousness satisfy the perfect standard of God’s holiness. Only the righteous work of Christ imputed to me supplies the power to stand in grace and be led by the Spirit to live a life inwardly and outwardly that pleases Him.

Q2. (Romans 7:7-8) The law reveals sin for what it is. Why wouldn't we be better off just not knowing that we should not covet, for example? Why does the flesh respond to being told "Do not covet" by coveting all the more? Not knowing the depth of our sin and how it alienates us from God will only bring death and destruction. Ignorance will never bring us into relationship with Christ. The law shows us our corrupted nature and that our sin is not merely moral failure or character defects but rebellion against God. The law reveals and, if allowed, goes beyond producing feelings of guilt and leads us to a saving God that can cure the cancer of our soul. Fools die for lack of knowledge - Prov. 10:21. The fact that being told “not to do ______” causes a greater desire to do that very thing proves how rebellious and wayward we are at the core of our being. The “will” of our sin nature is a stubborn rebel. It tests limits; it dares to do what is prohibited, it wants to exercise control and autonomy. It is its nature to rise up and war against the things of the Spirit. Only grace and the Spirit’s power working in the regenerated heart can transform my once sin-dominated life.

Q1. (Romans 7:5) Paul uses the word "flesh" (or NIV "sinful nature") many times inchapters 7 and 8. In your own words, what does Paul mean by "flesh" in these verses? I understand Paul to mean the sinful, corrupt nature that resides in every human heart. From that nature comes sinful passions and actions. Our “flesh” is the source of every evil affection, self-seeking pursuit, and rebellious thought and action in opposition to God and His ways. For the believer it is the defeated nature that still remains in us, but it has been crucified with Christ, and therefore not dictating or reigning over us.

Q5. (Romans 6:18-22) In Paul's analogy in these verses, is there a place of independent freedom apart from "slavery" to sin or to Christ? Why do we long for this kind of independent freedom? Why do we hesitate to firmly take sides and make our allegiance clear to all? 2 Peter 2:19 says, “for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.” Scripture declares we are beholden to who or what controls us, motivates us, has the strongest voice in our heart. Jesus, in talking to the Pharisees, made it clear there where only two spheres in which man operates. If God were your Father, ye would love me...(but)Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. Jn. 8:42,44 An unsaved person would like to live however he wished and not be accountable to God…to decide what is acceptable, what is true, and “good enough” to pass a final test. Unregenerate hearts want to be in control and answer only to their own truth. Our cravings for personal affirmation and acceptance often cause us to be someone who is best received by whomever we’re with. There’s a cost to declaring an allegiance. Some things will need to be forsaken; some convictions will offend/alienate relationships. Sanctification will, by definition, separate us from the world. 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." Mark 8:34, ESV

Q3. (Romans 6:15-18). What does obedience have to do with slavery? In what way does doing acts of righteousness demonstrate your slavery to God? In what ways does doing bad things demonstrate a slavery to sin? How is such a slavery or bondage broken? What part does obedience have in breaking this bondage? In what areas is God speaking to you about a fresh obedience in your life? As much as we might think we are independent, we will be ruled by the things we love and desire. We aren’t neutral beings. Paul uses “slavery” to mean that that which we listen to, follow after and succumb. A heart desire to be and do what pleases God demonstrates my willing surrender to Jesus as my Lord. Living a sinful life exhibits a heart desire to let sin and self be on the throne. Only through a new birth in Christ can the bondage of sin be broken. He removes the shackles, but we must cooperate with this new freedom and begin listening to, pursuing and obeying our new Master. Obedience has “muscle memory” and as I exercise God honoring ways, I become strong. Personally, I’m at a stage in life where my children are grown and I have more discretionary time. There are so many needs outside my home that I want to be willing to say “yes, Lord”, I’d be glad to join you”. I don’t want to be concerned with convenience, or personal cost, but to serve Him unreservedly.

Q2. (Romans 6:13) In what ways do you "offer the members of your body" to either sin or God multiple times in a day? Why is it that we can sin unconsciously? How can we begin to offer our members deliberately to God? What changes will it take in our daily life to do this? Every day I’m presented with the nonstop opportunity to offer the members of my body to either sin or God. If I’m not deliberate in my mind and heart to be controlled by God’s Spirit and love His ways, my flesh will compete to let irritations, inconveniences, laziness, a harsh word, an unjust action, or just my own selfishness win the day. Living for Jesus is supernatural living…counter to what is natural instinctively. So imbedded and deceptive is sin in the human heart that it takes time and the washing of the Word to bring into the light both conscious and unconscious sin. My every thought, word and action come from the wellspring of my heart. The greatest battlefield takes place inside me and so that’s where true change begins to affect who I am and how I respond to life. The basics of the christian’s life - daily feeding on God’s Word, committing to obey what He teaches me, personal prayer, and fellowship with believers are the ways I can deliberately present myself to God. I need all of these to help my heart choose God over sin. It’s not complicated but it takes “showing up” for practice and yielding to God’s ways. It takes making most important what is of greatest importance. Sometimes (more times than I’d like to admit or realize) I don’t get it right, and so yielding then begins with confession and repentance.

Q1. (Romans 6:12) What does obedience have to do with the "reign" of sin? We have to understand that obedience always flows from rulership. Obedience to God or to Satan is not passive but rather willful~my heart will always worship something. When sin reigns (exercises authority and dominating control) my body is subject to and willingly yielded to the lusts and desires of a king (Satan and self) which is opposed to God. I was struck with the “battle terminology” Paul uses in this section. There is a “command central” in every human heart. As a Christian I’ve been transferred to a new kingdom with a new King. It is antithetical to everything that is true about my union with Christ to let sin reign.