Living by the Spirit

Romans: The Gospel for God’s glory
Romans 8:12-17
Living by the Spirit
God’s children live by the Spirit in obedience, assurance and willingness to suffer

1) Believers are not under obligation to live according to the flesh, 8:12.

2) Living according to the flesh will bring eternal death, 8:13a.

3) Those who put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit will live eternally, 8:13b.
In v.13, what does Paul say leads to eternal death and what leads to eternal life? How do we kill the sinful deeds of the body by the Spirit?

4) All those who are led by the Spirit are the sons of God, 8:14.
In the context of this passage, what does it mean to be led by the Spirit? How does this confirm we are sons of God?

5) We have not received a spirit of slavery which results in fear of God’s judgment, 8:15a.
What is a “spirit of slavery”? Why does it lead to fear again?

6) We have received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 8:15b.
What is the Spirit of adoption? The word “cry” is one of intense emotion. Why do you think the Spirit prompts to “cry out” with intense emotion, “Father!”?

7) The Spirit confirms to our spirit that we are God’s children, 8:16.

8) If we are children, we are heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, 8:17a.
Christ is “heir of all things” (Heb. 1:2). What Christ inherits, we inherit! The offspring of Abraham are “heirs of the world.” Christians are said to inherit God’s kingdom (Gal. 5:20; 1 Cor. 6:9-10) and eternal life (Matt. 19:29; Titus 3:7). How great is our inheritance?

9) We are fellow heirs with Christ if we suffer with him that we may be glorified with him, 8:17.
What does Paul mean by saying that we suffer with Christ? Why does he say we are only fellow heirs with Christ if we suffer with him, that we may be glorified with him?