Theme

The marks of a life free of condemnation.

Questions

• The passage starts with ‘therefore’, which means it is connected to what has gone before.
  • How does Romans 7:21-25 help us to understand what Paul goes on to say?
  • Does the description of human will and action in these verse in Romans 7 ring true to you? Why/why not?
• What does the word ‘condemned’ mean to you?
• Paul uses the same word for ‘condemnation’ in Romans 8 as he does in Romans 5. Look at Romans 5:12 & 16-19, and Romans 8:1-2.
  • Why is there no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus?
  • Should knowing this truth affect the way we live our lives (look at what Paul has to say in Romans 6:15-18)?
• In what ways was Jesus in the ‘likeness of sinful man’ (v.3)? Why is this important? (look at Hebrews 2:14-18 & 4:14-16 for some ideas)
• In v.5-7, Paul focuses on the mind.
  • How do these verses compare with some of the passages we’ve look at over recent weeks: Colossians 3:2-3, and Philippians 4:8-9?
  • What are the consequences of the two different mind-sets? Where do they lead?
  • How do you think we can tell whether our minds are governed by the Spirit or by the sinful nature?
• Why is it so important that the Holy Spirit is at work in a believer (v.9-11)?
• Look at the list of the works of the sinful nature and the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:16-25.
  • How are Paul’s words in Galatians 5 and Romans 12 saying similar things?
  • What do you find most challenging about the contrast between life in the Spirit and life according to ‘the flesh’?
  • Does knowing there is ‘no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus’ help when thinking about the life we are called to in the Spirit, and the life we often live in the flesh?
• In Christ I am Free from Condemnation is the theme for this week. How did this passage help you think about your freedom from the condemnation caused by sin? Did you learn something new, or were you challenged by something in particular?