THE OLD MAN AND THE NEW MAN
Ro 8:1-15

By Oscar Baker

Romans is Paul's last epistle before the end of Acts period. It is kingdom truth. Note chapter 7 in relation to the Therefore. In this passage pneuma, spirit, is used 17 times, but never of the Giver or Person.

1. For the Christian who walks after the new man and not after the old, there is no shame or criticism.

2. The spiritual law or dominion of life sets one free from the bondage of sin and death.

3. The law could not bring in righteousness because the flesh was weak. The Son, in the likeness of sinful flesh, condemned sin in the flesh, the old man.

4. So with Christ in one, the required righteousness of the law is in that person, if he walks after the new man, not the old.

5. They that hanker after the things of the old man have their minds on earthly or carnal things. But those that walk after the new man do desire the spiritual things.

6. To be fleshly or carnally minded results in death, both to the person and all his works. But to be mindful of the things of the spirit or new man is life and peace.

7. The old man is at enmity toward God. This old man is not subject to the law, and never can be. God does not dwell in the old man or carnal nature.

H. Conclusion; a Christian living in the flesh according to the old man cannot and does not please God. Result; shame and contempt.

9. Another conclusion; if the spirit of God, the new man, everlasting life, part of the divine nature, dwells in one, he is walking after the spirit or new man, not the old.

10. If Christ lives in one in the new man, then the body is reckoned as dead because of the works of past sin; but the spiritual law of life produces righteousness.

11. If the spirit or power of Him that raised Christ from the dead dwells in the one in Christ, the same will also quicken his mortal body (even as He did Jesus) because of that new life in one. There will be a resurrection.

12. The Christian owes nothing to the old man, to live according to his dictates. No man has to sin. But men do sin.

13. If one lived according to the old man, he was about to die, in danger of the penalty of the law. The law brot condemnation.

14. The Christian, led or living according to the spirit of God, (the new man); receives the adoption of sonship, he then shows his parentage by his way of life.

15. According to this new dominion or rule of living, the Christian has not received the spirit of bondage of sin again, to be full of fear; but has received the adoption, sonship, and can use the special term ABBA (Father).

Then the next verse, 16, uses pneuma as referring to the Giver or Person.