Rom 8:3-4 (NIV) For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His Own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so He condemned sin in sinful man, IN ORDER THAT the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

For what the law was powerless to do: How are we going to start treating ourselves, other people, and God’s plan with right, good, and righteous thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds? No matter what the laws of the Bible, our conscience, or the laws of the land told us to do, we broke them pretty frequently.

For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature: No matter how hard we tried, No matter how much we made up our mind, no matter how guilty we felt, no matter what kind of outside help we got, and no matter how much punishment we experienced, we kept thinking, feeling, saying, and doing things to ourselves, other people, and God’s plan that were wrong, bad, and evil.

For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His Own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering: Just because we can’t obey God’s good laws and improve our relationships doesn’t mean God can’t. So, we turned to God and He made us one of His children and a citizen in His Kingdom. Now, our life has moved into the rights, privileges, and opportunities provided to all God’s children. BUT, there are a lot of God’s children who are living far below all their rights, privileges, and opportunities. Since God won’t force anything on us, there are things we must do to get all God has provided us.

And so He condemned sin in sinful man, IN ORDER THAT the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us: First, the righteous requirements of the law were fully met in us by God crediting us with forgiveness for all our past, present, and future sins; AND, He also credited our record with fulfilling all the good things required by the law; that made our record declare us PERFECT with God.

Secondly, the righteous requirements of the law are BEING fully met in us through spiritual growth (sanctification). He is empowering us to start only doing good to ourselves, others, and His plan. Once we start ACTUALLY treating ourselves, others, and His plan with right, good, and righteousness, it isn’t just on our record with God. We start getting good records with those around us; they start getting the benefits of us being born again. Because of our perfect record with God, we have access to His power; because of His power, we start getting great relationships with others.

In order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

PART ONE: Based on God’s record, we are NOT living according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. The reason it isn’t showing up on our record with God is because we have this attitude: Rom 7:15 (NIV) I do not understand what I do. For what I WANT to do I do not do, but what I HATE I do.

PART TWO: Based on the way we treat yourselves, others, and God’s plan, we ARE living according to the sinful nature AND NOT according to the Spirit. But, as we learn how to cooperate with Jesus and yield to His power, we GRADUALLY quit living according to the sinful nature and start living according to the Spirit in our ACTUAL relationships with ourselves, others, and God’s plan. The more we yield to and COOPERATE WITH Jesus and the control of the Holy Spirit, the more we have wonderful, successful relationships with the people around us.

Rom 8:12 (NIV) Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. Once we allow ourselves to really appreciate all that Jesus has done for us, we will feel an obligation to COOPERATE WITH Him. Rather than feeling obligated to do and cooperating with what our friends, associates, employers, employees, and people in general want us to do, we feel a much stronger obligation to please and cooperate with Jesus. And, when we do please and cooperate with Jesus, we and those around us find out Jesus’ way was in fact the best way. So, we upset people in the beginnings; but, end up treating them the way we would want to be treated ourselves.

Rom 8:13 (NIV) For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if BY the Spirit YOU put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. HERE is the procedure for living the Christian life and being empowered to be extremely successful in life. First, If you ever want to go back to living according to the sinful nature, you will die (be separated from Jesus and your heavenly Father). BUT, if BY the Spirit YOU put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. Right now your record with God credits you with BY the Spirit YOU putting to death the misdeeds of the body because you need time to learn how to treat yourself, others, and God’s plan.

If BY the Spirit YOU: Here are five words you could just read over and not even notice them. BUT, they are five words that can change your entire Christian life. In our workbook we took Romans 8:11 and made some confessions with our mouth and believed in our heart that He Who raised Christ from the dead GAVE life to our mortal bodies through His Spirit, Who lives in us. Now, when the Holy Spirit speaks to our conscience and tells us we are or are about to do something the wrong way, we have Jesus’ power to STOP and ask for His help to do it the right way. AND, if we go ahead and mistreat someone, we can STOP and ask for Jesus to empower us to go back and make it right.

But, if BY the Spirit YOU put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live (remain in God’s family and Kingdom). Allowing yourself to feel a great obligation to Jesus for all He has done for you will influence your DESIRES. This will help you STUDY and find out all the information, instructions, examples, and truths that will help you know how to live the best way. Once you get each truth, you will be able to PRAY and ask Jesus to empower you, train you, and help you base your life on those truths. Then you will be ready to ask Jesus for His faith so you can confess with your mouth and BELIEVE in your heart that you have the answers to your prayers. And, from there you will be ready to take FAITH-ACTION and start living on the basis of the fact that Jesus has produced these great things in you.

Rom 8:14 (NIV) because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Matthew 6:9-13 and Romans 10:8-10 led us into experiencing being a child of God; now Romans 8:14 tells us how to LIVE as a child of God. The Holy Spirit and the Bible are speaking to your conscience telling you what is right, good, and righteous. This INSTRUCTION is part of the leading by the Spirit of God that helps you LIVE as a son of God. Then the POWER part of the Holy Spirit’s leading is when BY the Spirit YOU put to death the misdeeds of the body. You are actually empowered to MAKE your body do right, good, and righteous things.

But if BY the Spirit YOU put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. If you allow Jesus to teach you how to BY the Spirit YOU put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live (remain as a child of God).

It is just a matter of continuing to DESIRE to put to death the misdeeds of the body, STUDY how to put to death the misdeeds of the body, PRAY to put to death the misdeeds of the body, ask for Jesus’ faith so you can keep confessing with your mouth and BELIEVING in your heart that you are putting to death the misdeeds of the body, and taking FAITH-ACTION and keep on living on the basis of the fact that you ARE putting to death the misdeeds of the body. By doing this you are now being led by the Spirit. Rom 8:14 (NIV) Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.