Interpreting Romans 8:1 Correctly

Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

I have heard some people cite this Scripture reference to defend “Lordship” salvation. Taken by itself this verse can be used to teach that it is not enough to be in Christ; but also, some people claim that you must also walk after the Holy Spirit.

However, it is very unwise to base a doctrine upon a single Bible verse. As a good example of why you shouldn't do this, please consider Mark 16:16, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” The heretical Church of Christ cult, and other false teachers, often cite this Bible passage by itself, lifting the text out of context to create a new pretext. That is bad Bible interpretation!

The correct way to interpret the Word of God is to always compare Scripture with Scripture. If a suggested meaning of a particular Bible verse agrees with the whole of Scripture, then you know you've found the correct interpretation. But if a suggested meaning does not agree with the whole of Scripture, then you know your understanding of the single verse is wrong. A good rule to follow when interpreting the Bible is to never use an obscure passage to contradict a clear one.

We know from the Gospel of John that there is no mention of water baptism with believing. In the Gospel of John we find the word “believe” mentioned 88 times, but there is no mention of doing anything else to receive eternal life. Also, consider what the Apostle Paul said in 1st Corinthians 1:17, “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” Paul never would have said something like that if water baptism were necessary for salvation. Saints in the Old Testament were not water baptized to be saved. The repentant thief on the cross was not water baptized to be saved. The beloved Apostle John said he penned the Epistle of 1st John so that believers could “know that ye are saved” (1st John 5:13), yet not once does he mention anything about baptism to “know” that we are saved. These are all plain evidenced that a person does NOT need to be water baptized to go to Heaven.

So we know that the Apostle Mark was not teaching that a person must believe AND be baptized to be saved in Mark 16:16, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” The key part of the verse is that last phrase, “but he that believeth not shall be damned.” The emphasis is clearly upon believing, not baptism. Here we see the great importance of comparing Scripture with Scripture, and not foolishly lifting a particular text out of context to create a new pretext (heresy).

Likewise, the same is true of our text verse from Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” By looking at other passages of Scripture we see that walking in the Spirit is NOT necessary to get to Heaven, being alive in the Spirit is enough (i.e., being saved). We see this important distinction made in Galatians 5:25, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” The apostle would not even make such an appeal for believers (those who are alive in the Holy Spirit - Romans 8:9) to also walk in the Holy Spirit (i.e., yield to Him in obedience to God's written Word - 2nd Corinthians 10:5-6) unless it were possible not to do so. There is not one believer in history who ALWAYS walked in the Spirit. When we don't choose to walk in the Spirit, by nature we walk in the flesh (Romans 7:14-25).

What saith the Scripture? John 3:18, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” It is foolish to misinterpret Romans 8:1 contrary to the plain teaching of John 3:18. Romans 8:34, “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” The implied answer boldly shouts that Jesus Christ died for our sins on the cross, was buried, and He has triumphantly risen from the dead, interceding in Heaven as our High Priest; therefore, NO ONE in the universe can condemn us for any sins, because Christ has redeemed us from them all by faith alone! That is so beautiful!!!

I love this next Scripture! Acts 13:39, “And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Every child of God is JUSTIFIED FROM ALL THINGS!!! Dear friend, it should be obvious to you from these inspired passages of Scripture that walking after the Spirit is NOT required to be saved. Every believer is alive (quickened) by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:1). That is, God's Holy Spirit lives inside (indwells) you and me as born-again Christians (1st John 3:24; 1st Corinthians 3:16-17). That is why no believer can ever be demon possessed. It is IMPOSSIBLE! A saint can be influenced by demons, but we cannot be taken over by them. The believer's body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, sealed and set apart (sanctified) unto the Lord. We see this in Job chapter one, where Satan could not do anything to harm Job without God's permission.

Every believer SHOULD walk in the Holy Spirit. God wants us to obey Him and keep the Old Testament Law out of a spirit of love, even though we are dead to the power of the Law to condemn us anymore. The believer is now under God's saving grace forever (Romans 5:20). So taken by itself Romans 8:1 can seem confusing, leading someone to think that living the Christian life is required to get to Heaven; but when we examine other passages of Scripture, it becomes plain to see that there is no condemnation to all who are alive in the Holy Spirit by faith alone in Jesus Christ. Acts 16:31b, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved...”