The Law of Gravity: What goes up must come down.

The Law of Aerodynamics: When motion and design turn the air into an upward force stronger than gravity's pull.

Planes don't fly because gravity stops working. Planes fly because a greater force is introduced.

Romans 8:1–2

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.

Two Laws:

• The law of sin and death (gravity)

• The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (aerodynamics)

Freedom comes not by denying sin's pull, but by living under a stronger power.

Romans 8:1–2 (Phillips)

No condemnation now hangs over the head of those who are "in" Jesus Christ. For the new spiritual principle of life "in" Christ lifts me out of the old vicious circle of sin and death.

Romans 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.

To set your mind is about preoccupation.

• Claims attention

• Shapes imagination

• Directs your life

Experiencing freedom from the law of sin and death begins with minding the things of the Spirit.

Minding the things of the Spirit is to be preoccupied with what preoccupies the Spirit.

The Spirit is preoccupied with SONSHIP.

Sonship: The gift and reality of being brought into God's family; not merely as servants, but as sons and daughters who belong to the Father.

The Spirit's chief title is the Spirit of sonship or the Spirit of adoption.

Romans 8:15–16

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

1. The Spirit Is Preoccupied With Adoption

Justification changes your record, but adoption changes your relationship.

Those who are adopted by God are given "the liberties and privileges of the children of God."

Practice 1: Start each day from sonship, not toward acceptance.

FROM our Father's Smile, not FOR His Smile.

2. The Spirit Is Preoccupied With Belonging

The Spirit of sonship helps us learn how to walk into our Father's office and say, "Abba, Father… I need Your help."

Practice 2: Let the Spirit of sonship be your interpreter.

Process how you process. Which spirit (slavery or sonship) is interpreting what you face each day?

3. The Spirit Is Preoccupied With Becoming

Romans 8:28

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

GOOD = Verse 29

Romans 8:29

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

God's good is our Christlikeness.

We are nothing like our Elder Brother by nature, but we are becoming like Him by the ministry of the Spirit of sonship.

Practice 3: Set your mind on becoming like your Elder Brother by staying close to Him.

Daily Gospel Reading