Our spiritual walk as a believer during today’s “dispensation of the grace of God” (Eph. 3:2) is affected by our free will choices in the circumstances and situations we endure while understanding Romans 6-8’s Sanctification Process.

This section of Romans is foundational instruction for today’s ‘saints’ on how to consistently walk after the grace doctrines laid forth in Paul’s epistles to attain holiness.

Romans 6-8 is a different process than many as this one involves three entire chapters. Each chapter lays forth advancing doctrinal elements to be acquired in order to obtain a pleasing walk to our Father, with steps enabling us to functionally live as who we are “in Christ.”

Below are a few key issues to consider:

Romans 6: Dead to Sin:

1) God desires saints to grow and learn about their new identity in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, realizing the old man (adamic nature) is dead.

2) We have choices each moment and are now alive in Christ, God’s desire for us to live righteously.

3) When we yield to God and choose holiness, it is His Word working within us.

4) Saints in the Body are now under grace.

5) We learn choices have fruit: either unto death or eternal life. (Romans 6:21-23)

Romans 7: Dead to the Law:

1) The Old Testament, along with what has been laid forth so far in Romans is used to teach us about the law.

2) We will also fail, as did Israel, if we try to be holy with our fleshly works: we want to do good, but evil is always present. The law is not to be our controlling system, but to be under grace.

3) Yielding to God enables us to STOP sin to walk after the Spirit. (Rom. 8:2-4),

4) There is a war between the flesh and spirit, yet Christ delivered us!

5) Now we are free and can serve with a renewed mind (Rom. 7:23-25), not using our unacceptable efforts (form of religiousness), but to trust God.

Romans 8: Dead to the Flesh:

1) Now, being “in Christ” there is no condemnation (Rom. 8:1).

2) We are able to please God by focusing our ‘mind’ to “dwell” on the Word of truth that is for today.

3) Then, we can choose in each moment to live this new life in Christ.

4) We have been quickened (made alive) by the Spirit working out the Word in us as we yield to “dwell” on it. This empowers us to think on “sound doctrine” to live the resurrection life. (Rom. 8:9-13)

5) We are enabled to be “led by the Spirit” and walk a godly resurrection life, which is by the power and wisdom of Christ living in and through us.

Think on This:

Slowly read through Romans 6-8 to see additional aspects taught in this process, then list them as they are ordered in each chapter. Dwell (think) upon this and then make a choice to live it.

• As adapted from Deborah and Brian Johnson