[:en]Life Through the Spirit (vs. 1-17)
Jesus has declared us not guilty and the law of the Spirit has set us free from the law of sin and death. The Spirit is the Holy Spirit who is the power behind the rebirth of every Christians to live a Christian life. There are 2 categories of people: Those who are controlled by their sinful nature and those who follow the Holy Spirit. The mind of the sinful man is hostile to God and disobedient to God’s law, but the mind controlled by the Spirit pleases God. The sinful nature results in death but the spirit of Christ gives life and peace.
If you sincerely trust Christ for your salvation and acknowledge Him as your Lord, then the Holy Spirit lives within you. He will empower you to do His will and serve Him.
“You receive the Spirit of Sonship. And by Him, we cry “Abba Father”. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. We are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. We share in His sufering in order that we may also share in HIs glory” (vs. 15-17)
Paul used adoption to illustrate the believers new relationship with God. In Roman culture, the adopted person lost all rights in his old family and gained all the rights of a legitimate child in his new family. He became a full heir to his new father’s estate. Similarly, when a person becomes a Christian, he gains all the privileges and responsibilities of a child in God’s family. He has the privileges of being led by the Holy Spirit. He shares in great treasures as co-heirs of Christ. However, he also has the responsibility to follow Christ and to proclaim the gospel.
By following Christ, he must not conform to the world. In proclaiming the gospel, he may suffer economic and social persecutions and even death. However, these sufferings can never compare to the great price that Jesus paid to save us.
Future Glory (vs. 18-27)
All creatures created by God fall from the perfect state because of sin. But one day, all creations will be liberated from the bondage of death and decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. Christians have hope for future glory. They will be resurrected with glorified bodies.
As children of God, we have hope in Him. But we have to be patient in waiting by having confidence in God’s perfect timing and wisdom. The Spirit helps us in our weakness. “We do not know what we ought to pray for but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express” (vs. 26-27)
More than Conquerors (vs. 28-39)
“And we know that in all things God works to the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (vs. 28). God is working to fulfill His promises. Those who love Christ have a new perspective, a new mind set. They no longer trust in worldly treasures. Their security is in heaven and their faith does not move even in pain or persecution because they know God is with them.
God wants us to be conformed to the likeness of His son. To be like Christ, we must read and obey His word, spend time in prayers, be filled with His Spirit and do good works in this world.
God knew in advance who would respond to Him. God’s purpose for people was made before the foundation of the world. Those who believe in Christ can rejoice because God will guide and protect them until the day they stand in His presence.
“If God in for us, who can be against us?” (v. 31) If Christ has given His life, He will not withhold anything you need to live for Him. As our advocate, He now sits at God’s right hand to present our case and plead for us in heaven.
Paul said: “Who shal separate us from the love of God? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakednesss or danger or sword? ” (v.35) His answer is NO! He said: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present, nor the future nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creations will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (vs. 37-39)[:]