STB118 | BSE | Romans 8.1-25: Freedom from the Past | Cultivate Relationships

BIBLE SCHOOL EDITION - Nathan and Pastor Scott unpack Romans 8:1-25, revealing the choice we all face — living as children of God or of the devil. They explore how Christ’s death and resurrection conquered sin, death, and the enemy for believers, yet the full realization of this victory remains a future hope. This episode dives into the tension between present freedom and the unseen fulfillment of God’s promises.

— EPISODE CHAPTERS —
(00:00) INTRODUCTION
(06:44) ROMANS 8.1-15
(36:46) ROMANS 8.16-25
(1:20:38) ACTIVATION STEPS

— EPISODE LINKS —
• Podcast Playlist | Gnosticism
https://cultivaterelationships.com/gnosticism/
• Pelagius on Romans, by Theodore de Bruyn (Amazon)
https://a.co/d/2xO6gqB
• The Natural Ability of Man, by Jesse Morrell (Lulu Publishing)
https://www.lulu.com/shop/jesse-morrell/the-natural-ability-of-man-a-study-on-free-will-human-nature/paperback/product-1gv9nkz4.html
• Finney's Systematic Theology, by L.G. Parkhurst, Jr. (Amazon)
https://a.co/d/bbgMYv8
• Podcast Playlist | 1-3 John
https://cultivaterelationships.com/1-3-john/
• Podcast Playlist | Revelation
https://cultivaterelationships.com/revelation/
• Unseen Realm, by Dr. Michael Heiser (Amazon)
https://a.co/d/22jvfVm
• Bible Tools
https://cultivaterelationships.com/bible-tools/
• More Content & Resources At Our Website
https://cultivaterelationships.com/

— EPISODE NOTES —
ROMANS 8.1-15: CHILDREN OF GOD (JESUS) v CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL (ADAM)
We have a choice: set our mind toward Life or toward Death (see also Deuteronomy 31): 1) Living Empowered by the Spirit - The Law of Life is choosing to depend upon the Spirit (making ourselves sons of God) and it proves to be resurrection life to us (inheritance, co-heirs) or 2) Living Empowered by the Law - The Law of Sin and Death is choosing to depend upon ourselves (making ourselves sons of the devil, see John 8.44) and will prove to be eternal death to us (debt, abdication).

APPLICATION QUESTION(S): In what areas of your life are you still relying on your own effort (e.g., experience, understanding, ability, education, responsibility, will power, self-discipline, etc.) instead of surrendering to the Holy Spirit (asking what His opinion is on a matter)?

ROMANS 8.16-25: HOPE FOR THE FUTURE LIFE, RESURRECTION, & GLORY
While the death and resurrection of Jesus, for the Christian, resolved the issues of sin, death, and the enemy, the full realization of those things is still a future hope (unseen). Faith in the full reality of what Jesus has accomplished in the past becomes the reality of our future expectations — convinced, to the point of action, by the things I don’t yet see (see also Hebrews 11.1).

APPLICATION QUESTION(S): If sin, death, and the enemy are resolved issues for the Christian, how should this impact the way you think, make decisions, and live now?

ACTIVATION STEPS
From this study, prayerfully walk through the following steps:

STEP #1 - SET YOUR MIND ON THE SPIRIT (Romans 8.6):
Your beliefs dictate your behaviors. Beliefs founded in the Spirit’s power and opinion will always lead to peace and life. Ask the Holy Spirit: Where in my life am I not asking for Your opinion and power? Where in my life am I disagreeing with Your opinion and opposing Your power?

STEP #2 - TRUST YOUR FUTURE TO JESUS (Romans 8.18):
Jesus wants to redeem even our fears (future worst-case scenario projections). Using the answers you listed in step #1, take a moment to think of the extreme worst-case scenario. Ask the Holy Spirit: As I choose to go to this extreme conclusion with You, what would Your presence and peace look like?

STEP #3 - AGREE WITH GOD FOR YOUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST (Romans 8.14):
As a Christian, you have agreed with God that you are His child — a son or daughter given a Spirit of love, power, and a peaceful mind, not of fear. Thinking of the answers from step #1, ask the Holy Spirit: What would believing and living as though I am Your child look like in these areas of my life?