Delivered from the bondage of corruption

chapter 8 is a chapter of hope.

• No condemnation.
  
• No seperation

It is like driving into the sunlight.

• On a hazy and foggy day.
  
• Over the hill.

A. Christians are freed by the law of the spirit. (1- 2)

They were held by the law of sin and death.

In vers one we have the "no condemnation" concept.

He identifies them as the ones that do not live after the flesh but after the spirit.

In the verses following he explains what that means.

Which law is this:

• Rom. 7: 23

B. This concept explained. (3- 4)

law of sin and death had weakness.

What the law could not do, God did through His Son.

To the end that the righteous requirement would be fulfilled in them that would walk according to the spirit.

C. Two classes of people. (5- 8)

Those that live according to the flesh put their minds on the things of the flesh.

• They are carnally minded.
  
• Death.
  
• The carnal mind is enmity against God.
  
• It is not subject to the law of God.
  
• They cannot please God.

Those that put their mind on spiritual things are spiritual.

• They are spiritually minded.
  
• These things are life and peace.

D. The spirit in them. (9- 11)

were not in the flesh, they were in the spirit.

• If the spirit indeed dwells in you.
  
• It is also identified as the spirit of Christ.
  
• Christ in them

It is the same spirit that raised Jesus from the death.

• Ephesians 1: 19, 20

The Father, the son and the spirit.

• Verse 11

Life will be given to our mortal bodies through the spirit that is in us.

E. We are debtors. (12- 13)

are debtors to live after the spirit.

These verses emphasizes the concept that we need to be spiritually minded.

• Gal. 5: 22- 25
  
• Coll. 3: 1- 4

We need to do these things "by the spirit".

• Ephesians 3: 16 ff

F. Sonship, adoption and being an heir. 14- 17)

we are lead by Gods spirit we are the true sons of God.

We received a spirit of adoption.

• By whom we cry "Abba Father".
  
• The spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.
  
• If we are children, then we are also heirs.
  
• If indeed we suffer with Him.
  
• We will also be glorified together.

Suffering is an important element in the life of a Christian.

• Phill. 1: 27- 30
  
• 1 Peter 4: 1- 2

Christ' victory were connected to his sufferings.

• Phill. 2: 5- 8
  
• Hebr. 5: 8, 9
  

The sons of God and creation. Vers 18- 26

1. The sufferings of the present are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed.

Sufferings in the life of a Christian can be many and even more.

• In context, the strife against sin.
  
• Include others.

Christians can expect a better time for themselves.

• But it only comes after a time.

The glory revealed.

• Phill. 3: 20, 21
• 1 John 3: 2

2. The creation expects the revealing of the children of God.

Why?

• Because it was made subject to vanity.

Why was it made subject to vanity?

• Not willingly.
• It was because of sin.

It was subjected to hope. Why.

Because there is a better day coming.

The creature also shall be delivered.

• Into glorious sons of God.

3. The whole of creation groans until now.

All of creation has come under bondage.

• Because of sin.
• Gen. 3: 17

And Christians are not free from that just because they have been delivered. (v. 23)

• They also suffer.

Christians wait for the redemption of the body.

When this hope is realized that curse will also loose its power.

It is compared to a woman in labour.

It also talks about the spirit.

• Eph. 1: 13, 14
  
• 2 Kor. 1: 22

4. Our hope is unseen.

Hope that is seen is no hope.

• So we wait with patience.

Hope in the promises of God keeps us alive.

• Hebr. 11: 9- 10, 13- 14

5. The spirits intercession.

The spirit groans for us.

Verse 14: He leads us.
Verse 16. He bears witness.
Verse 26. He intercedes for us.

He that searches the heart.