What does "the Spirit is alive" mean for our spiritual transformation? Context of Romans 8:10 “But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet the Spirit is alive because of righteousness.” • Paul contrasts two realities: the physical body still marked by mortality through Adam, and the inner person now indwelt by the Holy Spirit through Christ. • “Alive” points to present-tense vitality, not merely future resurrection; the Spirit’s life is already active within believers. Unpacking the Phrase “the Spirit is alive” • “Spirit” refers to the Holy Spirit, not the human spirit, in keeping with the surrounding verses (Romans 8:9, 11). • “Alive” (Greek: zōē) means full, operative life; the same word used of Christ’s resurrection life (Romans 6:10–11). • The ground of this life is “because of righteousness”—Christ’s imputed righteousness credited at conversion (Romans 5:17–19). From Death to Life: Immediate Impact • Regeneration – Ephesians 2:5: “made us alive with Christ.” • New heart – Ezekiel 36:26–27: God writes His law within by the Spirit. • Union with Christ – Galatians 2:20: “Christ lives in me,” underscoring shared life, not mere moral influence. Ongoing Transformation Powered by the Spirit • Freedom from the ruling power of sin – Romans 8:2. • Progressive likeness to Christ – 2 Corinthians 3:17–18; the living Spirit continually shapes believers “from glory to glory.” • Empowered obedience – Titus 3:5 describes “renewal by the Holy Spirit,” an active, continual process. Practical Evidences of the Spirit’s Life • Growing appetite for Scripture (John 6:63). • Increasing victory over habitual sins (Romans 8:13). • Manifestation of the Spirit’s fruit—love, joy, peace, and so on (Galatians 5:22–23). • Inner witness of adoption—assurance that we belong to God (Romans 8:16). Living in Step with the Spirit’s Life • Set the mind on the things of the Spirit—daily meditating on truth (Romans 8:5–6). • Yield bodily members to righteousness, not to sin (Romans 6:12–13). • Walk in conscious dependence—Galatians 5:25: “Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit.” • Engage in the local church, where the Spirit distributes gifts for mutual upbuilding (1 Corinthians 12:7). Summary The phrase “the Spirit is alive” announces that the Holy Spirit imparts Christ’s own resurrection life to believers immediately at salvation and continues that life-giving work every day, transforming character, empowering obedience, and assuring final glorification. |
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