Summary of Romans 1-7

• Chapters 1-4 of Romans reveals God’s righteousness. It states that before we can answer the question of who we are, we must first understand who God is. 
• Chapter 1 says that all humanity is trapped in sin and needs to be rescued. Essentially, telling the Gentiles you can’t just do whatever.
• Chapter 2 says that rescue will not happen by us trying to obey the laws, meaning, you can’t do this on your own! Essentially, it tells the Jews that their efforts are useless.  Paul has already told both the Jews and the Gentiles that they are both wrong. There needs to be some balance. 
• Chapter 3 states the good news that by God’s righteousness, we have been rescued from this eternal punishment through Christ Jesus. He gave them the problem in chapters 1 and 2 and then gave the answer in chapter 3.
• Chapter 4 says that we are rescued for a purpose. That purpose is to create the faith-based, multi-ethnic family of Abraham. So be unified! Don’t bicker and argue about who killed whom…
• Chapters 5-7 describe a new way of living, a new humanity. One that has been released from all the rules of law. We are free to no longer sin but to pledge our allegiance to the one true king. This is the balance. 

Main Verses

Romans 8:1-8 (ESV)

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. ² For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. ³ For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. ⁵ For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. ⁸ Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Identity Truths

1. Your identity is found in Him, not in you.
2. Your identity is found in what He did, not what you do.
1. Romans 8:3-4. “³ For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”
3. Your identity is sustained by a mindset on Him.
1. Romans 8:5-8. “⁵ For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. ⁸ Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

“Grace is the face love wears when it meets imperfection.”