In the biblical study of Romans 8, we find valuable teachings on how to live a new life under grace, marked by holiness and spiritual adoption. Before moving forward, it is essential to understand the meaning of grace according to the Bible.
What is Divine Grace?
Grace represents the unconditional and undeserved favor of God toward humanity. It is the expression of divine love manifested in forgiveness, mercy, and salvation offered to all without distinction. Divine grace is a gift that cannot be earned through human merits but is freely given as an act of divine love and kindness.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1, ESV)
The apostle Paul teaches that, apart from the grace of Christ, we lead a life of misery and defeat, becoming captives to sin. In contrast, when we choose to live in holiness, we find freedom from condemnation and victory over sin. This is only possible for the Christian who maintains constant communion with God.
The Importance of Communion with God
It is essential to seek the Lord’s presence daily, strengthening faith and spiritual connection. By cultivating a life of prayer, studying the Word, and practicing love for our neighbor, we draw closer to God’s grace and distance ourselves from the traps of sin.
As Christians, we must understand that the journey of faith is a daily walk, where support and fellowship with other brothers and sisters in faith also play a fundamental role. Thus, by following Christ’s teachings and pursuing holiness, we find true freedom and joy that come from communion with the Heavenly Father.
By receiving the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to guide us, we are freed from the chains of sin and move toward a new life under grace and glorification in Christ.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weakened through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:2-4, ESV)
The Law of the Spirit of Life
The law of the Spirit of life mentioned in Romans 8:2-4 represents the power and life of the Holy Spirit working in the lives of God’s children. When the Holy Spirit enters our lives, we are automatically freed from the power of sin. The fullness of the law of the Holy Spirit is manifested when we dedicate ourselves to following His guidance. By committing to obedience, we perceive a new power working within us, enabling us to overcome sin.
Jesus freed us from the condemnation of sin and death. However, when we allow sin to dominate us, we become its slaves and return to being under the law of sin, subject to physical and spiritual death. But when we follow the law of the Holy Spirit, we are led to eternal life and achieve freedom.
Let us understand that by choosing to live in accordance with Jesus’ teachings and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our actions and attitudes, we experience this new life—that is, an inner transformation that frees us from the chains of sin. Instead of being slaves to our weaknesses and imperfections, we are strengthened by God’s grace and find the true path to freedom and abundant life. By following Christ’s principles, practicing love, compassion, and kindness, we become truly free to live in fullness and harmony with God’s divine purpose for our lives.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23, ESV)
The Consequences of Sin and the Promise of Eternal Life
When the Bible states that the wages of sin is death, it warns us that the consequences of our actions are not always immediate but can manifest in unexpected and often painful ways. The “wages of sin” can be understood as the negative repercussions of our wrong choices, which affect not only ourselves but also those around us. It is a reminder to be mindful of our actions and always seek the path of righteousness and love for our neighbor.
Romans 6:23 alerts us not only to physical death but also to spiritual death, as sin separates us from God, leaving us lost, empty, and extremely vulnerable to the enemy’s traps. However, it is important to remember that redemption and forgiveness are always within our reach. Just as spring follows winter, hope and renewal can flourish in our lives, bringing light and warmth even in the darkest moments. By recognizing our mistakes, seeking divine forgiveness, strengthening our faith, and persevering, we can overcome any obstacle and find the way back to God’s presence.
When the Holy Spirit has full freedom to dwell, work, and rule in our lives, it generates in us the ability to live a life of reverence and obedience to God, fulfilling His law. This reveals the presence of divine justice and holiness.
Living in Duality: Flesh versus New Life Under Grace
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Romans 8:5-14, ESV)
Living According to the Flesh
Living according to the flesh means desiring and satisfying the sinful desires inherent in human nature. This includes finding pleasure and occupying oneself with these desires, which encompass not only fornication, adultery, hatred, ambition, selfishness, anger, resentment, and similar attitudes but also addictions such as pornography, drugs, and emotional or mental pleasure in sexual scenes or similar things.
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21, ESV)
New Life Under Grace
Living a new life under grace means living in obedience and submission to the desires of the Holy Spirit. It is essential to focus on God’s will and constantly remember that we are always in His presence, being assisted by Him at all times.
By living according to the Spirit, we find peace and direction for our lives. Following the desires of the Holy Spirit leads us to make wiser decisions and act with love and compassion in our daily interactions. It is a path of spiritual growth and strengthening of our faith, allowing us to experience the fullness of life in communion with God.
Is It Possible to Obey Both the Flesh and the Spirit?
The answer is no! It is impossible to satisfy both the desires of the flesh and the desires of God simultaneously. When we give in to the desires of the flesh and indulge in sin, we become enemies of God, which can lead to eternal condemnation.
Holiness is one of God’s attributes, manifested in His purity, perfection, and infinite goodness. God’s holiness is the essence of His divine nature, reflecting His absolute separation from evil and His immaculate perfection. God desires that, just as He is holy, we seek a life of holiness to live in harmony and communion with Him. The pursuit of holiness allows us to grow spiritually and draw closer to the divine essence. By cultivating virtues such as love, compassion, gratitude, and forgiveness, found in Galatians 5:16-26, we become more like God. As we follow this journey, we not only draw closer to God but also help build a better world, filled with peace and love, where those around us can see God in our lives through our actions and way of living.
When we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit begins to dwell in us. There is a constant battle against everything that seeks to restrict God’s work in our lives. The enemy works tirelessly to draw us away from the presence of the Holy Spirit, aiming to pull us back into a sinful lifestyle, seeking to regain control over us.
But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. (Isaiah 59:2, ESV)
In the spiritual battle against Satan, it is essential to be prepared to overcome our earthly passions and desires, resisting temptations that lead to sin and following God’s designs. If we persist in sinful practices such as sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like, we are walking toward spiritual death by distancing ourselves from communion with God.
When we choose not to fight against the desires of sin, we automatically transition from spiritual life to spiritual death, meaning we lose the right to the eternal life we received when we accepted Jesus. However, it is important to remember that we can always seek forgiveness and redemption through sincere repentance and the pursuit of a life more aligned with Jesus’ teachings of love and compassion. The path of faith and spiritual renewal is always open to those who desire to reconcile with God and continue in the race of faith.
Spiritual Adoption and Divine Inheritance
Being led by the Holy Spirit ensures our salvation, as we live in complete sanctification, separating ourselves from and resisting the sinful desires of the body and the world. Beyond becoming children of God by following the guidance of the Holy Spirit, He begins to dwell in us, guiding our thoughts, actions, and words according to divine commandments.
All our impulses are directed by the Holy Spirit, suppressing sinful works, for we live not according to our desires but according to God’s will. Being led by the Holy Spirit means receiving exhortation and warning, and we must persevere in faith, resisting apostasy from faith in Christ.
Only when we are in full communion with the Word of God can we hear the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain a life of prayer and constant seeking of God. To strengthen our faith, it is essential to seek sound teachings aligned with the Word of God. We must practice the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in our faith journey, as they will be the foundation and structure for our spiritual walk.
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him. (Romans 8:15-17, ESV)
The Reality of Suffering in the Christian Life
We can understand that living in the Holy Spirit is not just a path of ease. Just as the Lord Jesus Christ suffered, we, as His followers, are also subject to experiencing moments of joy and suffering.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. (Matthew 5:10-11, ESV)
It is important to remember that, even in the face of adversity, our faith and perseverance strengthen us to live under grace and face the challenges that arise in our path. As Jesus taught us, steadfastness in our principles and trust in divine justice guide us toward overcoming tribulations. Therefore, when we encounter moments of difficulty, we must remember the Lord’s words and keep our hope and love unshaken. For, as promised, the reward for those who remain faithful is the kingdom of heaven. May we follow Christ’s example, living with compassion and forgiveness, even in the face of the trials life presents.
We suffer in the walk of faith because we belong to God, do His will, and reject the world for being different.
