“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.
Foundation Scriptures: Romans 8:1-9 AMP
Vs. 1 Therefore, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.
If we are in Christ Jesus—belonging to Him, and serving Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength—we walk free from any and all condemnation! No one can lay a charge against us! If anyone would lay a charge against us, it would for sure not be Jesus or our Father God.
Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect [when it is] God Who justifies [that is, Who puts us in right relation to Himself? Who shall come forward and accuse or impeach those whom God has chosen? Will God, Who acquits us?] 34 Who is there to condemn [us]? Will Christ Jesus (the Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us? Romans 8:33-34 AMP
Who dares to bring a charge against God’s elect, when it is God who has justified them? Who dares accuse or impeach those God has chosen? Would God? Definitely not! Why would God accuse those He has acquitted? Would Jesus? Of course not! Jesus paid too high a price for our righteousness—His own life! Even now Jesus is interceding for us and pleading our case with the Father! The Father, Son and Holy Spirit love us and nothing can separate us from that love! We are justified and made righteous in God’s eyes. If condemnation comes, it’s going to come from the devil, the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10).
Vs. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has freed me from the law of sin and of death.
There is a law of sin and death, but the child of God is freed from that law and can now walk in a higher law—the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus!
For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23 AMP
When you sin, the wages you receive is death, but when you receive Jesus as you Lord and Savior, you receive the free gift of eternal life. You can’t pay for eternal life, neither can you earn it—Jesus paid for it in His blood—however, no matter who you are or what you’ve done, you can have it free if you will just give your life to Jesus.
Wait and listen, everyone who is thirsty! Come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Yes, come, buy [priceless, spiritual] wine and milk without money and without price [simply for the self-surrender that accepts the blessing]. Isaiah 55:1 AMP
There is no price tag that can be placed on Jesus’ blood or His mercy or His grace, therefore it is offered as a free gift—His life in exchange for yours. It is free when we surrender to Him; it is free when we trust Him with our life.
Vs. 3 For God has done what the Law could not do, [its power] being weakened by the flesh [the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit]. Sending His own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, [God] condemned sin in the flesh [subdued, overcame, deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice]
God did what absolutely no one else could do—stripped sin of its power over those who accept Jesus and believe in the price He paid.
Vs. 4 So that the righteous and just requirement of the Law might be fully met in us who live and move not in the ways of the flesh but in the ways of the Spirit [our lives governed not by the standards and according to the dictates of the flesh, but controlled by the Holy Spirit].
Vs. 5 For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit.
God has delivered us from sin and its power. Now we must choose to walk in this freedom and this righteousness. We must learn what pleases our Father and we must seek and pursue those things which please His Holy Spirit.
Vs. 6 Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever].
Vs. 7 [That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God’s Law; indeed it cannot.
It is your choice and your responsibility to renew your mind to the will, plan and purpose of God. If you do not train yourself in the Word of God and yield to the Holy Spirit’s leading, your mind, which is carnal or fleshly, will pull you back into walking in your old ways—from which you have been redeemed!
Vs. 8 So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him.
Vs. 9 But you are not living the life of the flesh, you are living the life of the Spirit, if the [Holy] Spirit of God [really] dwells within you [directs and controls you]. But if anyone does not possess the [Holy] Spirit of Christ, he is none of His [he does not belong to Christ, is not truly a child of God].
Your flesh can never please God, but as you allow the Holy Spirit, who lives in you, to control and direct you, you will be truly pleasing to God and you will walk in the fullness of His grace, favor and blessing!
