The Book of Romans ~ Lesson Fifteen

"Breathe On Me Jesus"

Romans 8:1-17 (NLT) So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.
   Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
   But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
   Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
   So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

Let's look at the first verse. "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. " Do you understand the enormity of that statement? Those who have taken on Jesus as the Rescuer and Leader in their lives, are no long condemned to a sentence of death. That is gargantuan. I think that Churches today don't preach enough on the topic of sin and death. I don't mean hell, fire and brimstone at all. I mean the promise of being rescued from the sin in our lives that separates us from God. What Jesus did on the Cross is phenomenal. It is greater than any Governor's stay of execution for someone on death row.

2 Corinthians 3:8-11 (NLT) Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life? If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God! In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way. So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever!

We are no longer under sin's control but under the control of the Holy Spirit of God dwelling within us. If we are truly seeking God's will, and are obedient to Him, the Holy Spirit directs us into all that is good. We have a right relationship with God through Jesus.

Verses 15-17 reveals this wonderful message "So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering." 

Let's break it down:
1. We are not slaves to fear anymore.
2. We are God's children.
3. We call Him "Abba" which means, "Daddy."
4. We are heirs, with Christ, to His Eternal Kingdom.
5. We share in His suffering. Which means we will be rejected by this world.
6. We share in His glory, which is peace and relationship with God.

John 20:21-22 (NLT) Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit."

The breath of God is within those who choose Jesus. Just as He breathed on the disciples before He left this earth, we are filled with His eternal life-giving breath. I love this old hymn, "Breathe on Me Breath of God." It really speaks of this wonderful gift that God gives to those who love Him. I'll leave you with these words:

"Breathe On Me Breath of God"

Words: Edwin Hatch, 1835-1889 

Music: Robert Jackson, 1842-1914 

Breathe on me, Breath of God, 

fill me with life anew, 

that I may love what thou dost love, 

and do what thou wouldst do. 

Breathe on me, Breath of God, 

until my heart is pure, 

until with thee I will one will, 

to do and to endure. 

Breathe on me, Breath of God, 

till I am wholly thine, 

till all this earthly part of me 

glows with thy fire divine. 

Breathe on me, Breath of God, 

so shall I never die, 

but live with thee the perfect life 

of thine eternity. 

Be blessed and receive the breath of God.