It is this gracious work of the Spirit that is so fully discussed in Romans 8, there
being at least seventeen statements describing the Holy Spirit's relation to, and
operation within, the believer.
"There is therefore now NO condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who
walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in
Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 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: that the
righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but
after the Spirit." Romans 8:1-4.
Here is no longer conflict and struggle, disappointment, defeat, and
discouragement; but THROUGH THE MIGHTY POWER OF THE SPIRIT ALONE,
justification has come in place of condemnation, life in place of death, freedom in
place of bondage, strength in place of weakness, obedience in place of
transgression, success in place of failure. All this is all the result of being "in
Christ" through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
"They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are
after the Spirit are the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally-minded is death;
but to be spiritually-minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity
against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So
then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." Verses 5-8.
With our natural human limitations and lack of wisdom and understanding of
divine things, we do not see how we can live up to our high standing as sons of
God. But the Spirit graciously makes up for all our ignorance and deficiencies,
prompting us to prayer, and making intercession for us with superhuman energy.
How adequate and complete is the help here attributed to the working of the Holy
Spirit in behalf of the believer. He delivers from all condemnation, frees from the
law of sin and death, imparts strength, righteousness, a renewed mind, and
Christlike spirit. He quickens the body, subdues its sinful tendencies and
appetites, lets in the light, and imparts assurance, consciousness of sonship and
heirship, help for our infirmities, and divine assistance in prayer.
It is clear that this wonderful revelation of the Spirit's ministry explains the
twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth verses of chapter 7. After the awful struggle,
characterized by deep conviction and intense longing and striving for holiness,
which ends only in disappointment, Paul cries, "O wretched man that I am! who
shall deliver me from the body of this death?" And then with the revelation of the
Spirit's mighty agency, more than adequate for all his needs, he utters the
triumphant shout, "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord."