In a world consumed by spiritual decay, there’s a powerful antidote available to all who seek it. Romans 8:1-17 reveals how we can break free from the rotten existence of sin and embrace the vibrant life offered through Christ’s sacrifice.
The Zombie Apocalypse of the Soul
Yes, I’m going there, but think about it: zombies are dead beings walking around in a lifeless state, mindlessly driven by cravings, existing in perpetual decay.
This illustrates our fallen state in a sinful world quite well.
Just as zombies wander aimlessly, consuming without purpose, we too can find ourselves trapped in patterns of spiritual death—moving through life without true meaning, driven by desires that never satisfy.
But Romans 8 gives us hope.
What We’ve Been Saved From
Romans 8 begins with an extraordinary declaration: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
That “therefore” points back to Paul’s struggle in chapter 7, where he agonized over the war within himself—wanting to do good yet finding himself failing repeatedly. It’s a struggle we all know intimately.
The law of Moses, while good and right, couldn’t save us. It could only point out our failures. It detected sin but couldn’t defeat it. That’s why Jesus had to enter our story.
Just as the Old Testament high priests wore a representation of Israel on their breastplate before God as they offered sacrifices for the people, Jesus bore our sins, and wore grotesque cuts, bruises, and more as a representation of us as he came before God and took the punishment we deserved, appeasing God’s justice once and for all. The case against us was dismissed because justice was served through Christ.
If you accept that as truth, to what extent does it permeate your view of life and your thoughts about yourself?
The Battleground of the Mind
Receiving salvation is just the beginning of the Christian journey. We must learn to live in light of our salvation – and it starts in the mind.
The mind is the primary battleground for our souls. Not every thought we have originates from us—some come from God, others from the enemy. Learning to discern the difference is crucial.
Christians are called to “take every thought captive” to Christ, examining each one against the truth of God’s word. This spiritual mindfulness isn’t passive observation but active engagement with our thought patterns.
Humanity has two mindsets:
Romans 8:5-6
5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
The Flesh Mindset
- Focused primarily on worldly concerns
- Makes idols out of otherwise good things (education, health, wealth)
- Becomes hostile to God’s priorities
- Leads to anxiety, fear, and spiritual death
The Spirit Mindset
- Focused on loving God and others
- Values eternal things that won’t fade away
- Makes Jesus the organizing principle of life
- Depends on God’s guidance through prayer
- Results in peace and spiritual life
Where does your mind go when there’s no screen in front of you and no one demanding anything of you? This question exposes which mindset dominates our lives.
The struggle of the mind is a fierce one and can lead to doubts.
Does My Sin Prove I’m Not Really Saved?
It’s a question that haunts many believers: Does the continued presence of sin in my life mean I’m not truly saved?
The answer is surprisingly encouraging. The very fact that you’re experiencing a battle proves there are two opposing sides within you! Before Christ, there was no war—just surrender to sin. The struggle itself evidences the Spirit’s presence.
The battle with sin actually is proof of new life, and proves that you’re destined for Glory.
Your perfect spirit, made right with God through Jesus, is what will stand before Him in judgment. The sinful body will die, but the Spirit gives life.
Romans 8:10
And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God.
More Than Survivors, We’re Beloved Children
Perhaps the most beautiful reality of Romans 8 is that we’re not just forgiven sinners who by some chance escaped a dying world—we’re adopted children of God with full inheritance rights.
Romans 8:15-16
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.
God has given you a spirit of adoption and actually you got permission to call him your father.
This is an intimate relationship. The Spirit within us cries “Abba, Father”— or the most tender term for a father in your native language. We’re invited into family relationship with the Creator of the universe!
The Road is Rough, but Worth It
The Christian journey isn’t free from pain. There will be trials, darkness, loss, and grief. But it’s the only road that leads to eternal life.
Jesus demands everything, but offers everything in return. We trade our broken lives, destined for death for his victory over death and eternal life. We swap out our spiritual debt for His spiritual wealth—an exchange that makes no logical sense but reveals the extravagant goodness of God.
As we journey through this life, we can walk with confidence knowing our salvation is secure. The Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.
Through Christ, the walking dead become the eternally alive, free from condemnation and secure in the Father’s love.
This blog post is based on a sermon by Steve Ferris that was preached at Grace Church Stockholm on March 9th, 2025.