Study Guide: "Make Up Your Mind"

Text: Romans 8:1-17

OPEN:

(v. 5) Those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

This is a powerful verse, but for years I completely missed its point. I finally discovered I was reading it wrong. I didn't see that part "B" of this phrase was the key to accomplishing part "A". I thought it was saying, "When you're controlled by the Spirit, then you'll be able to think that which pleases the Spirit." That's not what Paul is saying. He's saying, "In order to be controlled by the Spirit, first think about things that please the Spirit." It's the same as saying, "Those who are physically fit are those who exercise." Part B is the cause, part A is the effect. Do you want to be good? Do you want to live a Spirit-controlled life? Then learn to think about things that please the Spirit. Another translation says it this way... (v. 5) Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

He mentions two benefits of this kind of thinking: 

(v. 6) To set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

1) Life. 

Of course, he's talking about more than physical existence. He's talking about quality. Life with a capital 'L'. Life with an exclamation point! 

That's what God offers: Living that goes far beyond surviving, living that can best be described as thriving. It's life to the fullest. Jesus called it the abundant life. You receive it by allowing your mind to be controlled by the Holy Spirit.

2) Peace. 

It's the opposite of stress, the opposite of turmoil. 

When you make up your mind to be holy--when you set your mind on what the Spirit desires and allow him to influence your thoughts--you experience peace, even in the midst of stressful situations.

So the question is: What does the Spirit desire? What pleases him? What exactly am I supposed to think about? Romans 8 shows us three things that the Spirit wants for us. If you think on these things, you'll experience transformation--God guarantees it. First of all...

I. He Wants you to Experience Freedom from Guilt.

I'm referring to real guilt and imaginary guilt, because both are killers. God offers freedom from both. Paul said, (v. 1) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Sin separates you from God. That's why you struggle with guilt. You've done things that are wrong. You knew it was wrong at the time, and you did it anyway. Welcome to the human race. Unfortunately, sin carries a huge price tag. Paul said, The wages of sin is death... (Romans 6:23)

1. Sin leads to guilt, shame and condemnation. But God doesn't want you to live the rest of your life with guilt, shame and condemnation. Contrary to what the world may think about Christianity, our goal is not to make people feel guilty. Our goal is to show people how they can be free from guilt forever. Though you've committed sins, the good news is that God will forgive your sins. Though you deserve judgment, the good news is that God has chosen not to condemn you. When you come to Christ, he sets you free from the law of judgment. You never have to fear his judgment again: (v. 1) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

2. Many struggle with guilt long after their sins have been forgiven, hanging on to the memory of sins that God has long-since forgotten. They say, "I don't deserve to be happy; I don't deserve to be blessed; I don't deserve to be forgiven." Of course, it's true. No one deserves to be forgiven...but we have been. The judgment we deserve has been lifted by the grace of God.

3. To become holy, think about the things which please the Spirit. Think about how God has set you free from the law of sin and death. How he sent his Son Jesus Christ into the world to die on the cross for your sins and mine, so that we could experience the fullness of life.

We have been set free from the law of sin and death. We need never live under condemnation again. Think about that; it pleases God. Secondly...

II. He Wants you to Experience Power Over Sin.

1. God created us to live with power. 

When Jesus told his disciples about the Holy Spirit, he said, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you..." (Acts 1:8) This power isn't in ourselves, it's in him. It's his power, but it's available to you. Notice what Paul says, (v. 11) If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you. 

He's saying "The same power that brought Jesus back from the dead can be yours." Think about it: if God's power can bring a dead man back to life, don't you think his power can help you overcome temptation? 

2. God wants you to experience power over sin, but you cannot do it on your own. You need his power to make it happen. Paul said, (v. 13) 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.

"Deeds of the body" refers to more than just physical, or sexual, sins. It refers to all sins, including anger, jealousy, selfishness, pride, dishonesty, hatred, discord, and the rest. Paul says that these misdeeds--these sins--need to be put to death by the Holy Spirit. How? 

When sin rears its ugly head--or even when the temptation to sin presents itself--we can say, "Father, by your power you raised Christ from the dead. By your power, help me overcome this sin. Take it away, and take away my desire to sin." 

But there's good news. Even greater than the power of sin is the power of God's Spirit. The Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead gives life to your mortal body. He will give you victory over sin, no matter how many times it comes back to haunt you. You can't expect it to be easy, but you can expect to win. God wants you to experience victory, so look forward to it. Think about it. Set your mind on it. It's what the Spirit wants for you. Next...

III. He wants you to Experience the Benefits of Adoption.

(v. 15) For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. 

1. Paul uses the term adoption because the term child of God doesn't accurately portray the level of relationship God wants with you. 

Adoption was a serious and sacred rite in Roman times involving elaborate ceremonies filled with symbolic gestures. It was not uncommon for an adult man to be adopted into a certain family for business or political reasons. For example, the Emperor Claudius adopted the full-grown Nero so that Nero could legally succeed him on the throne. 

Roman adoptions were irrevocable. Once adopted always adopted, you might say. The adopted child's old life was wiped out, including all debts and all rights as the child of the former father. The adopted child became, in every sense of the word, the full and complete heir of the adoptive father. There was no legal distinction between being a biological son and an adoptive son. A man's estate belonged equally to his biological children and his adopted children.

Those who have adopted children today understand this concept. The adopted child becomes your child with no strings attached.

2. You're not his slave or his hired hand, you're his child. 

Paul says, (v. 15) When we cry, 'Abba! Father!'

Abba was an intimate term that only a son or daughter would use. The word "Father" is a title; the word "Abba" is a name. A comparison today is the name "Dad." My best friend is a father, and I may refer to him as a father, but I don't call him "Dad" because he's not my father. God says, "Call me Dad. You're my child, my chosen child. All that I have belongs to you." Notice what Paul says, (v. 17) And if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ--if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

3. God wants you to experience the benefits of being his son. 

He's not your taskmaster or your tyrant. He's your father. He chose you to be his child. This is what you need to think about. 

Paul said, (v. 16) It is that very Spirit bearing witness  with our spirit that we are children of God. 

To be holy you must set your mind on what the Spirit desires; he desires for you to know that you are God's chosen child. He doesn't want you to have an attitude of fear and slavery, he wants you bask in knowing that he is your loving father, your "Dad."

CLOSE:

Becoming good--becoming holy--is a matter of putting your mind where you want your life to be.  

Being holy is a matter of making up your mind to be holy. I'm not referring to a process of determination, I'm referring to a process of realization--realization of who you are in Christ. In Christ, your sins are forgiven. You are free from guilt and condemnation. In Christ, you have the power of the Holy Spirit to give you power over sin. In Christ, you have been adopted into God's family and you are his child, specially chosen by him. 

Do you know Him? Do you belong to Him? Are you living like a fully forgiven, freely loved child of God?

(Dr. Dane Fowlkes)