Critical Issues Commentary

Critical Issues Commentary
A BIBLICALLY BASED COMMENTARY ON ISSUES THAT IMPACT YOU

May/June 2003 Issue Number 76

CARRIED BY THE COMFORTER spiritual vitality. However, the next two
verses show that this interpretation is
HOW GOD LEADS US untenable. The mind set on the flesh is
BY BOB DEWAAY not just lacking inner joy, it is hostile
to God and unable to submit to His
“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” law: “[B]ecause the mind set on the flesh
(Romans 8:14) is hostile toward God; for it does not
subject itself to the law of God, for it is not
Romans 8 offers profound, eternal the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus even able to do so; [It gets even worse:]
comfort to Christians. In it Paul has set you free from the law of sin and and those who are in the flesh cannot
assures us that all true Christians of death” (Romans 8:2). In the Greek, please God” (Romans 8:7, 8).
shall ultimately be glorified and con- the verb “has set” is in the aorist,
formed to the image of Christ (Romans meaning something that happened at Being hostile toward God and
8:29, 30) and that nothing in the entire a point in time. That point in time unable to please Him does not sound
created universe can separate them is conversion. All who believe the like a description of born again believ-
from God’s love (Romans 8:31-39). Gospel, trusting the finished work of ers. But it is a perfect description of
After the lament in Romans 7 that Christ who died and was raised bodily the unregenerate. Consider what Paul
even the redeemed still battle with from the grave, have been set free! wrote elsewhere: “But a natural man
sin, Romans 8 assures all Christians of The “you” in “set you free” (Romans does not accept the things of the Spirit of
ultimate victory.1 In the midst of this 8:2) is all true believers, all who are God; for they are foolishness to him, and
chapter of hope, Paul tells us that the regenerate.2 Condemnation, as we will he cannot understand them, because they
“sons of God” are led by the Spirit of see later, does not mean, “feeling con- are spiritually appraised”(1Corinthians
God. demned,” but means being condemned 2:14). The context of this passage
however one might feel. Freedom like- shows that the “things of the Spirit of
In this article I will answer three wise is objective. Having been set free God” have to do with the message of
questions that arise from Romans from the penalty of sin, the believer salvation through a crucified Messiah
8:14. stays in this state of freedom, even when which is considered foolishness to the
feeling “wretched” (Romans 7:24). Greek mind. If a person cannot accept
1) Who are the sons of God? that message, he or she is lost. The
2) What does it mean to be led by So far Paul has been talking about cross is the only way to salvation. So
the Spirit? all true believers. Let us see if he those in the flesh who cannot please
3) Where are the sons of God being continues to do so. In Romans 8:5-8, God are the unregenerate. The next
led? Paul takes up a discussion of the flesh verse in Romans 8 says so explicitly:
If we stick to the context, the and the Spirit. He speaks of the mind “However, you are not in the flesh but
answers are clear. But elitists often set on the flesh and the mind set on the in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God
make false claims based on a misuse Spirit. Some have become confused at dwells in you. But if anyone does not have
of Romans 8:14 and other passages in this point and thought that Paul was the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to
Romans 8. These false claims I will speaking of two classes of Christians, Him” (Romans 8:9). One either has
address later in this article. the “carnal Christians” and the elite, the Holy Spirit and belongs to Christ,
“spiritual” ones. For example, verse 6 or does not have the Holy Spirit nor
Who are the Sons of God? sounds like this may be the case: “For belongs to Him. All true Christians
Romans 8 begins with this promise: the mind set on the flesh is death, but are born of the Spirit and belong to
“There is therefore now no condemnation the mind set on the Spirit is life and Christ. He calls us “His own” (John
for those who are in Christ Jesus” peace” (Romans 8:6). They assume 17:9, 10).
(Romans 8:1). Condemnation means that some elite Christians listen to
to be ultimately condemned by God the Holy Spirit’s inner promptings and Therefore, in Romans 8:1-9 Paul is
at the last judgment because of one’s thus experience more life and peace, clearly talking about all true believers.
sin. Paul assures us that if we are and that carnal Christians listen to the He is not writing about two classes
“in Christ,” we are free from ultimate, flesh and experience “death” — lack of of Christians — the carnal ones and
eternal death. Here is the reason: “For the elite, spiritual ones. He is contrast-
ing the redeemed and the condemned,

May/June 2003 2 Issue Number 76

with the former having the Holy Spirit the logical connection “for” in each of Remember that in context this is the
and the latter not. Those who have the the verses of Romans 8:13-15: opposite of “living according to the flesh.”
Spirit belong to Christ and are truly Therefore it has to at least include
alive. They all have the same hope, For if you are living according to the idea of putting aside the old sinful
which is the resurrection from the dead the flesh, you must die; but if by practices of the flesh. The Spirit is
and conformity to the image of Christ. the Spirit you are putting to death leading us in a lifetime process of put-
Paul continues his thought: “And if the deeds of the body, you will ting to death the old “deeds of the
Christ is in you, though the body is dead live. For all who are being led by body.” So far nothing in the context
because of sin, yet the spirit is alive the Spirit of God, these are sons of would indicate that “led by the Spirit”
because of righteousness. But if the Spirit God. For you have not received means, “gaining revelations and subjec-
of Him who raised Jesus from the dead a spirit of slavery leading to fear tive guidance.”
dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus again, but you have received a
from the dead will also give life to your spirit of adoption as sons by which Now we need to consult Paul’s word
mortal bodies through His Spirit who we cry out, “Abba! Father!” usage. The word translated “led” is ago_
indwells you” (Romans 8:10, 11). The The logical sequence is important. (long O for omega). It is a common
fact of being indwelt by God’s Spirit Verse 13 begins by saying, “for if Greek word in the New Testament.
assures us that these mortal bodies will you are living according to the flesh, you It means “bring or carry,” a much
be transformed even as Christ’s was, must die.” Having taught in Romans 6 stronger word than the idea of, “gaining
He being the “first fruits” of those to be that the “wages of sin is death,” Paul impressions from.” Used elsewhere in
raised from the dead.3 Those without is again referring to the unregenerate. the New Testament it can even mean,
the Spirit mind the things of the flesh Even those who teach the two tier “being brought” forcibly. For example,
and cannot please God. The flesh in “carnal — spiritual” scheme of the the word ago_ is translated “brought”
this context means “all that one is out- body of Christ rarely claim that those in this passage: “[A]nd you shall even
side of Christ, in his sinful nature.” It is in the carnal camp are to end up in be brought before governors and kings for
not an anatomical term, but describes hell. So they would have to either take My sake, as a testimony to them and to
the nature of the entire person.4 “die” as meaning something other than the Gentiles. But when they deliver you
spiritual death (which makes no sense up, do not become anxious about how or
The answer to the question, “who since even believers die physically) or what you will speak; for it shall be given
are the sons of God?” is “all true believ- admit that Romans 8:13a is referring you in that hour what you are to speak”
ers, all the regenerate.” Nowhere in the to the unregenerate, which is my (Matthew 10:18, 19). Notice that
context of Romans 8 is Paul making claim. This phrase, “living according “brought” is synonymously parallel to
a distinction between elite “spiritual, to the flesh,” is antithetically parallel “deliver you up.”
mature sons” and “carnal, immature” to Romans 8:13b and Romans 8:14.
ones. Romans 8:9 specifically says that This means that the opposite of living Paul uses the same word ago_ in a
one either has the Spirit and belongs according to the flesh is “by the Spirit passage that is similar to his thought
to Christ or has neither the Spirit nor putting to death the deeds of the body” in Romans 8: “But if you are led by
Christ. There is no two tier version of and “being led by the Spirit.” the Spirit, you are not under the Law”
“have and have not” Christianity taught Therefore the Holy Spirit provides (Galatians 5:18). In this parallel pas-
here or anywhere else in Scripture. the escape from ultimate, spiritual sage it is clear that “being led by the
This goes for the entirety of Romans death. This is true of all who have Spirit” is true of all Christians because
8, all the way through to the glorious believed the Gospel and been born Paul denies that any Christian is under
“Christian’s Triumph Song”5 of Romans again. “Putting to death” in verse 13 the Law (Romans 6:14). The form of
8:31-39. No blood bought child of is in the continual present tense in the verb is passive. Paul uses the term
God is excluded. All who are justified the Greek. This shows that the battle to describe how the Corinthians had
shall be glorified (Romans 8:29, 30) against sin is a life long process, true been before they were converted: “You
and constitute the “sons of God.” for all who have the Spirit. We are know that when you were pagans, you
not content to sin continually and were led astray to the dumb idols, however
What Does it Mean to be unremittingly; we trust God through you were led” (1Corinthians 12:2).
Led by the Spirit? Christ’s finished work and lay aside the It denotes being under their idol’s con-
works of the flesh. There is no special trol, not “gaining impressions” from
The question of what Paul means “second blessing” or other experience them. C. E. B. Cranfield discusses the
by this statement: “For all who are that puts sin to death once for all out- use of ago_ in Romans 8:14:
being led by the Spirit of God, these are side of the resurrection at the return
sons of God,” (Romans 8:14), must of Christ. Though the active participa-
be determined by the context, Paul’s Paul then says that Spirit indwelt tion of the Christian is indeed
grammar, and word usage. Paul uses persons are “being led by the Spirit.” involved [he references in
brackets the Greek word trans-

May/June 2003 3 Issue Number 76

lated “put to death” in verse 13], contrived and far from Paul’s thought. Romans 8:29 means that God chose
it is fundamentally the work of Therefore being “led” by the Spirit His own from before the foundation of
the Spirit (hence the passive the world.
agontai). For the use of agein means that God the Holy Spirit brings
[the infinitive form of ago_] us along, toward God’s purposes for us. Cranfield comments on this pas-
compare Lk 4:1; Gal 5:18: also He “carries” us to our proper destina- sage: “The -egno_ [to know] is to be
Rom 2:4; 1Cor 12:2; 2Tim 3:6. tion. That we will get there is assured understood in the light of the use of
It is used by classical authors of by His sovereign work in our lives. yada in such passages as Gen. 18:19; Jer
being led, controlled, by reason, 1:5; Amos 3:2, where it denotes that
anger, desire, pleasure, etc.6 Where are God’s Adopted Sons special taking knowledge of a person
“Led” is a strong term for the activity of being Led? which is God’s electing grace.”8 This is
the Holy Spirit showing that He “brings an important observation. Consider for
us” somewhere. Where He brings us We have already hinted at the answer example Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I formed
will be the subject of the next section; to the question about our destination: you in the womb I knew you, And before
but here is a verse which also uses all true believers are being carried by you were born I consecrated you; I have
ago_ that will give us a foretaste: “For the Holy Spirit to glorification. The appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
it was fitting for Him, for whom are all proof of this is found in this passage: Foreknowledge in the context of God
things, and through whom are all things, calling forth a people means more than
in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect For whom He foreknew, He also “have knowledge of in advance,” but
the author of their salvation through suf- predestined to become conformed means to “choose for a covenant rela-
ferings” (Hebrews 2:10). “Bringing” is to the image of His Son, that tionship.” In the Amos passage, the
from the word (ago_) translated “led” He might be the first born among verb yada, known, is actually translated
in Romans 8:14. Aside from the ques- many brethren; and whom He “chosen” by the NASB: “You only have
tion of where we are being brought predestined, these He also called; I chosen among all the families of the
which will be dealt with later, this and whom He called, these He also earth;” (Amos 3:2a).
passage shows the sovereign activity of justified; and whom He justified,
God. It does not mean that He gives these He also glorified. (Romans The Hebrew use of “know” in a
us subjective directions and guidance 8:29, 30) relational sense is also seen in the New
as to where glory is so we can make our We have answered the question of Testament. For example, consider the
own way there. He sovereignly brings “who” is being led — all true Christians. miracle workers in Matthew 7:21-23.
His sons to glory. We have seen that being led means Jesus said to them, “I never knew you;
Consider all of the other things to be sovereignly carried along to our depart from Me, you who practice lawless-
Romans 8 has told us the Spirit does: destination by the Holy Spirit. The ness” (verse 23b). “Knew” here means,
He indwells all believers (verse 11); He passage before us tells us what we “I never had a relationship with you.”
will resurrect all believers (verse 11); shall be like upon our arrival and that Here is another instance of such usage,
He enables us to put to death sinful the destination is glorification. In the “[I]f anyone loves God, he is known by
deeds (verse 13); He causes us to be process Paul gives strong assurance that Him” (1Corinthians 8:3). Obviously,
adopted as sons (verse 15); He gives every true believer will arrive because “known by Him” means “have a rela-
us a witness within that we are God’s the outcome is dependent upon God’s tionship with God.” So “foreknown”
children (verse 16); He causes us to sovereign decision from all eternity. means choose ahead of time for a
long for glorification (verse 23); He The first thing Paul tells us about relationship.
intercedes for us (verse 26); and He God’s adopted sons is that they were
brings us to glory and conformity to foreknown. This idea needs to be under- This leads to the question of the
the image of Christ (verses 28-30). In stood in the Biblical sense of “knowing” meaning of “predestined” in Romans
the midst of these strong statements (yada in Old Testament Hebrew) that 8:29. Some argue that if “foreknown”
about the Holy Spirit’s powerful and means “having a relationship with.” means choose in advance, then “pre-
sovereign work in the life of every God’s foreknowledge of His sons is destined” is a redundancy. However, in
believer, are we to believe that verse 14 not that He merely knew that we this passage Paul is using predestined
means that the Spirit is trying to give would one day exist, nor can it be do describe the final state of all of the
subjective guidance but only certain construed to mean He knew that we redeemed, “conformed to the image of
elite Christians have figured out how would choose Him. God is the active His Son.” All of God’s adopted sons
to hear this guidance and follow it? party throughout Romans 8.7 This is are predestined to be conformed to the
The context and grammar show that not about God reacting to our actions, image of the One unique Son, Jesus
this interpretation is in error, grossly but God acting to adopt sons and Christ. Cranfield explains the meaning
bring them to glory. Foreknowledge in of the Greek words: “Whereas pro-
egno_ [to foreknow] denoted God’s
gracious election, proo_risen [predes-
tined] denotes His gracious decision

May/June 2003 4 Issue Number 76

concerning the elect, the content of as “called according to His purpose.” The by faith as Paul argued in Romans
which is indicated by the words which good end to which all things are being 3:28-30.
follow.”9 These ideas are also taught in directed by God’s sovereign purpose is
Ephesians: “[J]ust as He chose us in Him the honor that will be brought to His The final link in the golden chain
before the foundation of the world, that we own name through the glorification of is glorification. All the justified are
should be holy and blameless before Him. the Son and all the sons He is bringing glorified. Herein lies rock solid proof
In love He predestined us to adoption to glory. of the doctrine of the perseverance of
as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, the saints. All God’s adopted sons will
according to the kind intention of His will” Those effectively called actually be glorified. They are being led by the
(Ephesians 1:4, 5). Remember that in respond. Cranfield comments, “When Spirit to glory. As we have seen, they
Romans 8 adoption as sons is seen as God thus calls effectively, a man are being powerfully and effectively
already (verse 15) and not yet (verse responds with the obedience of faith. carried along by the Holy Spirit to
23). The adoption process begins with Indeed, calling in this sense and con- glory. The Holy Spirit who regenerates
our redemption and ends with our glo- version might be likened to the obverse all true believers will never “drop the
rification. All God’s elect are predes- and reverse of the same coin: they are ball” and allow one of His to perish.
tined to adoption in the fullest sense, the same event seen from two different Our hope lies in the electing love and
conformity to the image of Christ. points of view.”10 This call is properly sovereign power of God and not in the
distinguished from the universal call feeble powers of man.
The journey from what we are now of the gospel. The universal call goes
as redeemed sons to what we shall be out to all people through the preaching So certain is glorification that Paul
is characterized by sufferings: “For I of the gospel. Those chosen by God uses an unexpected verb tense, the
consider that the sufferings of this present actually respond to it, being effectively aorist (point in time action in the
time are not worthy to be compared with called. Jesus describes this: “For many past). Leon Morris comments on the
the glory that is to be revealed to us. are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew use of the aorist here: “[I]t is used of
For the anxious longing of the creation 22:14). The many “called” in the par- set purpose to bring out the truth
waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons able of the wedding guests all received that our glorification is certain. So
of God” (Romans 8:18, 19). Present an invitation. Most rejected it. God is certain is it that it can be spoken of as
sufferings are true for all of God’s commanding everyone to repent and already accomplished.”11 The “not yet”
adopted sons, but so is future glory. believe the gospel (Acts 17:30). The is “already” certain!
The “revealing of the sons of God” effectively called do repent and believe.
happens at the return of Christ and This must be true otherwise Paul would The conclusion of Romans 8 is a
the resurrection, which is called “the not say that they are predestined to beautiful description of the security of
redemption of our body” in Romans be conformed to the image of Christ all believers in God’s love. This beauti-
8:23. Romans 8:29 tells us that this and glorified. The distinction between ful assurance of God’s love overcoming
means being conformed to the image what is often described as “the out- any and all opposition to it is given to
of Christ. This is the destiny of all the ward call and the inward call” or, us as our ultimate comfort and hope.
redeemed. This passage teaches the “the universal call and the effective What amazes me is that though these
same idea: “Beloved, now we are children call” is necessary to make sense of the verses offer hope and encouragement,
of God, and it has not appeared as yet terminology of the New Testament. many Christians apparently want nei-
what we shall be. We know that, when ther. Some are so wed to the ideas
He appears, we shall be like Him, because The fact that the call is effective of free choice and human ability, that
we shall see Him just as He is” (1John is further shown by the next term that they refuse to see the security of the
3:2). The “already — not yet” tension is describes the same group, “justified.” believer in Romans 8. For example,
found throughout the New Testament. Paul is using what is known in logic consider Paul’s list of things that cannot
Both Paul and John tie the completion as a chain argument. The foreknown, separate us from God’s love (Romans
of the change God is working in His predestined, called and justified are the 8:36-39). Using pairs of extremes,
sons to the return of Christ. same group of people, and all of these which is a common Biblical way of
things are true of every member. Paul’s including everything (like our phrase
Romans 8:30 continues the “gold- grammar is clear and logic inescap- “from A to Z), Paul lists all the pos-
en chain” argument saying that all the able. If there was one person fore- sible things that could separate us from
predestined are “called.” Foreknowledge known, predestined, and called, who God’s loving purposes. He denies that
and predestination are from before the was not justified, then God’s word here any can. God’s adopted sons have glori-
foundation of the world. Now Paul in Romans 8:29, 30 would be proven ous security.
addresses what happens on the scene false. God cannot lie and His Word
of history. God’s elect are “called.” is inerrant. These are the people who Yet I have seen a number of people
This has to mean “effectively called,” are described throughout Romans 8 as argue that the list actually is not com-
because those thus called are glorified. having received the Holy Spirit who prehensive. They say, “but the list does
Romans 8:28 describes the redeemed is at work in them. These are justified not include our own selves, we can
remove ourselves from God’s love.” I
was thinking about that claim one day

May/June 2003 5 Issue Number 76

and reading the text again. I saw this tion, but “carnal Christians” do. us how sinful we are. Those who try
conclusion to the list: “Nor height, nor This interpretation is wrong for to make themselves right before God
depth, nor any other created thing, shall by works of the Law shall fail every
be able to separate us from the love of a couple of reasons. First, the term time and remain in their lost condition.
God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” “condemnation” is not a reference to Sinners can only be justified by faith --
(Romans 8:39). Not only do the pairs guilt feelings, but is forensic termi- trusting God through the finished work
of extremes show that Paul intends nology concerning a legal sentence. of Jesus Christ. So when Paul says,
his list to be comprehensive, but he Leon Morris writes, “Condemnation is a “[T]he requirement of the Law might be
explicitly says it is with the phrase, “nor forensic term which here includes both fulfilled in us,” he is speaking of those
any other created thing.” The human the sentence and the execution of the who have been justified by faith and
will is a created thing. Only God is not sentence. But for believers there is no therefore have right standing before
created. We will not separate ourselves condemnation at all.”12 The passage God on that basis, not law works.
from God’s redeeming love if we are is simply stating that all who are “in Therefore “us” in Romans 8:4 is all
those who are justified. We will stay Christ” will not be condemned at the true believers. Therefore no true believ-
in God’s love not because we are inca- final judgment, as I noted earlier in er can be said to “walk according to
pable of gross sin or even blasphemy this article. People are in Christ the flesh” in the sense the phrase is
of the Holy Spirit, but because God’s because they have been justified by faith used in this passage.
grace is effectual and the Holy Spirit -- Paul’s theme throughout Romans.
has promised to lead (carry) us to Justification and condemnation are That Paul considers no Christian to
glory. God will insure that we will not antithetical. Jesus did not come so that be “walking according to the flesh” can
become apostate by all the considerable the more advanced Christians who be clearly demonstrated from Romans
means at His disposal. God keeps his have learned to follow the Spirit will 8:6-9 which I expounded earlier in this
promises: “If we are faithless, He remains not have “guilt feelings.” He came to article. These verses show that those
faithful; for He cannot deny Himself” deliver all who trust in Him from the who “walk according to the flesh” are
(2Timothy 2:13). final judgment, God’s wrath against “hostile to God.” Sinners are hostile to
sin. God and remain outside His kingdom,
Elitist Interpretation of Romans 8 but surely not redeemed Christians.
There has been a long history of the Second, even if one accepted the Consider Paul’s terminology in Romans
misuse of Romans 8 by those who King James text here, the rest of the 7; “For while we were in the flesh, the
hold to various elitist understandings context rules against an elitist interpre- sinful passions, which were aroused by the
of Christianity. What they have in tation. The elitist idea is that “carnal Law, were at work in the members of our
common is the idea that Romans 8 Christians” are lesser in both experi- body to bear fruit for death. But now we
is not about what God is doing by ence and practice. They supposedly have been released from the Law, having
His Spirit for, in, and through all true have not had a full experience of the died to that by which we were bound, so
Christians, but that it is about two Holy Spirit’s power and do not know that we serve in newness of the Spirit and
types of Christians: carnal and spiritual. the secrets of the spiritual life (or not in oldness of the letter.” (Romans
The problem starts with the King James “deeper life” as elitists sometimes call 7:5,6). Again he speaks of the dif-
translation of Romans 8:1 “There is it). Is this what Paul means by the term ference between being unsaved and
therefore now no condemnation to them “flesh” in Romans 8 -- “that which unjustified and being in Christ and
which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not characterizes Christians who have not free. Paul includes himself when he
after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (KJV). had a secondary experience or learned says, “when we were in the flesh.” Clearly
The phrase “who walk not after the to walk in the deeper life of the Spirit”? this is not true now. The Christian
flesh, but after the Spirit” is not in Let us examine the issue in its context. life is serving God “in newness of the
the best Greek manuscripts. Because Spirit.” The phrase “oldness of the
it is so poorly attested in the Greek, Consider these verses: “For what the letter” denotes seeking to keep the
new Bible translations do not include Law could not do, weak as it was through law and please God through works
it because of the strength of the evi- the flesh, God did: sending His own Son righteousness.
dence suggesting it was not in the origi- in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an
nal manuscript. However, this phrase offering for sin, He condemned sin in the As mentioned earlier Romans 8:9
makes the verse sound like it may be flesh, in order that the requirement of the shows conclusively that Paul is con-
talking about two different types of Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not trasting the lost and the saved and not
Christians. The idea would be that elite walk according to the flesh, but according two different types of Christian. Here
Christians who walk by the Spirit do to the Spirit” (Romans 8:3, 4). The is what Paul writes, “However, you are
not experience feelings of condemna- previous chapters of Romans make it not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed
clear that what the Law could not do the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if
was make a person right before God anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ,
through “law works.” The Law shows

May/June 2003 6 Issue Number 76

he does not belong to Him” (Romans According to elitists the “sons of ing my spirit, which I was told was
8:9). To not belong to Christ is to be God” are not all Christians, but just already perfected by being one with
lost. To belong to Christ insures that mature ones. Ignoring Paul’s obvious God. I was taught that my soul was
one will be His for all eternity. Listen meaning of “son” as “those adopted into caught in a “twilight zone” between
to what Jesus said about those who the family of God” (Romans 8:15), my body and the outward world of
belong to Him: they claim “son” means “mature son” sense perceptions, and my spirit and
because of the use of huios in the Greek the inward world of God’s revelation
All that the Father gives Me shall (the common term for son) rather than knowledge. If only I could get rid of the
come to Me, and the one who a word that would denote a small child influences of the body and its percep-
comes to Me I will certainly not or young person. This is bad doctrine tions and get my mind attuned to the
cast out. For I have come down and shoddy hermeneutics. At issue is Spirit, then I would be one of those
from heaven, not to do My own neither the relative age nor the relative miracle-working men of God. I tried
will, but the will of Him who sent degree of development of the persons, the “spiritual disciplines” prescribed by
Me. And this is the will of Him but whether or not they belong to various elitists who knew the secrets of
who sent Me, that of all that He Christ. The context will allow no other the deeper life. When I read the Bible,
has given Me I lose nothing, but interpretation. All who are His as however, rather than get revelations
raise it up on the last day. (John “sons” by adoption shall always be so. like they did, I could only see what
6:37, 38) Future growth and development all the words said and meant. My revela-
Carefully follow the logic here; this the way to conformity to the image tory abilities seemed muted compared
is very important. Those who belong to of Christ is assured for all (again see to their claims. I never got good at
Christ are given to Him by the Father. Romans 8:29, 30). preaching anything but what the Bible
All of those given by the Father to said. I was told that the problem was
the Son actually come to Jesus. Christ The second question also has a my education and logical mind.
accepts all the individuals given to different elitist answer. They claim that
Him by the Father. None of these will “being led by the Spirit” means that After several years living in a
be lost. All of these will be raised up on certain people have learned the secret Christian community totally dedicated
the last day. The category of persons of “hearing God’s voice” and are willing to growing past “carnal Christianity”
described here is true Christians. This to follow the subjective guidance they to a deeper, purer form of living by
is what we also learned from Romans receive. As I showed earlier, the term faith and following the Spirit, I was
8:29, 30 discussed earlier. We also “led” does not mean, “gain subjective confronted with the truth of Colossians
know from the passage before us guidance,” it means to “bring or carry.” 2:8: “Let no one keep defrauding you of
(Romans 8:9), that all who have the The elitists think that “being led” your prize by delighting in self abasement
Holy Spirit belong to Christ. Therefore, is a spiritual capability that certain and the worship of the angels, taking his
according to Romans 8:9, all true advanced Christians have learned and stand on visions he has seen, inflated
Christians are in the Spirit and none developed over the years. Those who without cause by his fleshly mind, . . .
are “in the flesh.” There is no third have the most remarkable stories about These are matters which have, to be sure,
category called “carnal Christian” dis- “guidance miracles” are considered the the appearance of wisdom in self made
cussed here, just the regenerate who truly advanced Christians. religion and self abasement and severe
have the Spirit and those in the flesh treatment of the body, but are of no value
who do not. There was a time in my life when I against fleshly indulgence” (Colossians
Elitist Answers to Romans 8:14 believed these elitist’s interpretations. I 2:18, 23). The “deeper life” did not
In the first part of this article I raised spent five years trying to be a “mature make us more spiritual. Problems that
and answered three questions from spiritual son” who “followed the lead- plague the world were still evident in
Romans 8:14: who are the sons of ing of the Spirit.” I listened to hundreds us. I began to notice that the real
God?, what does it mean to be led by of hours of tapes from spiritual leaders changes evident in certain people hap-
the Spirit? and where are they being who told amazing stories about having pened because of their conversion. God
led? Let us consider how elitists who visions of Jesus, talking to angels, hear- changed their lives through the Gospel.
claim that Romans 8 is about two ing God’s voice in their spirits, etc. But the troubled Christians who sought
classes of Christians (the carnal “have When these great men of God followed special answers through a higher order
nots” and the spiritual “haves”) typi- the special guidance they received God of spirituality became more troubled,
cally answer these same three ques- did tremendous miracles. I wanted to not less so.
tions. be one of those men, desperately so. I
joined a group founded by a man who Eventually I found help from the
had huge repertoire of “miracle stories comfort and the encouragement of the
of divine guidance.” I was trained in Scriptures. The Scriptures are God’s
spiritual elitism. I read books about revelation to us, not the means to
how to be a “spiritual man” by follow- a subjective personal revelation some-

May/June 2003 7 Issue Number 76

how hidden in them. As I am writing I have presented two radically different imperative is a command. Romans 8
this I am thinking of what would have understandings of Romans 8:14. The is not about what believers ought to
happened if this article had been writ- text of Romans has to determine which do, but about what God will do.
ten by someone else and handed to is from God. The evidence is clearly 8. Cranfield, 431.
me in 1976, given who I was then. against elitism. Most of us who realize 9. Ibid. 432.
Would I have allowed the Scriptures that we are “ordinary” Christians -- 10. Ibid. 432, 433.
to correct me and free me, or would I “sinners saved by grace,” know people 11. Morris, 333, 334.
have pushed this aside as the writings who think we are quite pathetic. We 12. Ibid. 300.
of someone “not Spirit filled, not fol- have not reached the plane of spiritual- 13. see James R. White, The Potter’s
lowing the Spirit -- too educated”? ity they claim to have acheived. Paul Freedom; (Calvary Press: Amityville,
It is impossible to know the answer. offers hope to us ordinary Christians NY, 2000) 154-159, White provides
However, bringing the Scriptures to who stumble in many ways, but hope an great exposition of John 6:37-40.
bear on important issues that trouble fully in Christ. He assures us that by 14. There was a movement called “The
the saints is always the best thing to do. the finished work of Christ and justified Manifested Sons of God” whose ideas
The Scriptures led me out of error. by faith, we are adopted into the family are still taught by some in the
of God. In God’s family it does not mat- Charismatic movement today. This
There is one last question to be ter where you stand in someone else’s heresy can be traced back to a
addressed from the elitist perspective: estimation of being a “great person of 17th century mystic, Jane Leade. Her
where are we being led? When I was God.” In God’s family the “least shall teachings include first person cita-
an elitist myself I hoped to be led to a be the greatest.” We have no reason to tions of “Christ” who tells her that
glorious manifestation of the Kingdom fret over others who judge us as being elite Christians can achieve not only
of God now on earth that everyone not very spiritual. We are trusting Jesus perfection, but deification now. She
could see in external, supernatural and because He has given us His Spirit, is apparently the source of what later
power. I thought that if we could just we shall never be separated from His became the Latter Rain Movement.
follow the leading of the Spirit, all the love and shall surely be like Him one Here is a direct citation of Jesus
sick people would be healed, miracles day. Let us be encouraged by that. from Jane Leade: “This should be
would be common events, and our achieved by dying out of creaturely
group would so obviously have some- End Notes sensation, causing a vacancy for the
thing superior to everything around 1. See Holy Ghost to rise and spring and
that many, many people would want move as one entire spiritual body
to join us. http://www.twincityfellowship.com/ within. For so it will be whenever
cic/articles/issue60.htm; CIC Issue there is a cessation and a rest from
There are many forms of elitism. I 60 for an overview of Paul’s teaching the whirling thoughts and motions,
have not offered a catalogue of them in in Romans 7 and 8. which are from the outward astral
this article. I have given the basic ideas 2. See Titus 3:4-6 birth. This will be the manner of My
common to elitist spirituality. They 3. See 1Corinthians 15:20 and coming in this latter day to stand
all offer some form of over-realized Colossians 1:18. upon the earth which is thus emptied
eschatology. That is, they are promis- 4. For proof of this see Paul’s list of the and refined by the fire that never
ing “the revealing of the sons of God” “deeds of the flesh” in Galatians 5. dies. This fire is that seed of God
(Romans 8:19) now in a way that goes They include bodily activities (such that shall multiply itself to bring
beyond the Scriptures.13 The elitists as sensuality and drunkenness), men- your Christ forth to numerously over-
think they are being led to some sort tal or soulish activities (such as jeal- spread this world until all shall be
of heaven on earth before the return ousy and anger), and spiritual activi- formed anew. Thus shall each one
of Christ. This ranges all the way from ties (such as idolatry and sorcery). become a Christ (or anointed) from
perfectionism (that we can be sinless 5. So called by Leon Morris, The Epistle this Deified root opening within
now), to claims that we can get immor- to the Romans; (Eerdmans: Grand his own soul.” cited from
tal bodies now, to dominionist teach- Rapids, 1988) 334-342. h t t p : / / w w w. s i g l e r. o r g / s h o f a r /
ings that prescribe world rulership for 6. C. E. B. Cranfield, “Romans” in The janeleade/enochianpart2.htm from
Christians before the return of Christ International Critical Commentary; J.A. The Enochian Walks with God.
and others. There are many versions. Emerton and C. E. B. Cranfield ed.
One thing they all do is belittle us (T. & T. Clark: Edinburgh, 1975) Critical Issues Commentary
“ordinary Christians” who long for the Vol. 1; 395.
return of Christ and future glorifica- 7. Leon Morris makes an important obser- copyright © 2003
tion. They call us “defeated.” vation, “An interesting feature of the
chapter [Romans 8] which is not T6MpwP.wa1wOis2intwn.-oe8.BratC7bwop4ioxoti-nbyl78ic@sF40i,te86tMyl4w8lfoeNiwlnlocs5hwi5tiys4phf0ei8lplo.cwosmhip.com
Conclusion always noticed is that there is not a
single imperative.”; Morris 299. An

January/February 2003 8 Issue Number 74

Critical Issues Commentary

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1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977,

1988, 1995 The Lockman Foundation.