QT 17 Oct 11, Those who truly know Christ will be identified by a changed life

Rom 8:1-8 (NIV) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,  2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man,  4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

NOTE: Paul's thesis is that we are no longer under condemnation, at least those who are in Christ -- also further nullify inerrant views of universalism.  The law condemn us, which was good in the sense of helping us see our sin but it could not save us.  The sinful nature took the law of God and rebelled more, so that each of us are no different from Adam, who took God's one law and rebelled against it.  The law of the Spirit of life sets me free from the law of sin and death (a reference to the OT law).  I live according to a new law with the Holy Spirit (HS) living within me.  The HS gives me a new desire, a new heart, a new life, and peace with God.  I could not please God trying to live according the OT law, but I can please God by living according to the Spirit.  Jesus summed up the law of the Spirit when he told us to love God and to love others.  Naturally, there are many implications to those two commands.  And while we will fail, because we still own a sinful flesh, we will also change, and as we submit to the Spirit, we will become more and more like Christ.  Many today call themselves Christians but are not experiencing the life-changing power of Jesus Christ in their lives.  I don't know why that is so.  Maybe they don't really know my Savior, and only claim allegiance in word.  But to those who know God, their lives are naturally transformed by the knowledge of Christ.  They are not perfect, but none can deny that they are not changing into a better person with the passing of time.