SCRIPTURE: ROMANS 8
Bible Verses:
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:6-8)
“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8:16-17)
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed” (Romans 8:18)
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27)
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” (Romans 8:28-30)
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” (Romans 9:35)
“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 creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
LIFE THROUGH THE SPIRIT (vs. 1-17)
We are being set free from the law of sin and death by the law of the Spirit of life through Christ Jesus. Jesus serves as a sin offering to meet the righteous requirement of the law.
CONTRAST BETWEEN LIVING IN SINFUL NATURE AND LIVING WITH THE SPIRIT:
- Sinful nature sets its mind on what Satan desires / Living in accordance with Spirit set its minds on what the Spirit desires (v. 5)
- The mind of sinful nature is death / The mind controlled by Spirit is life and peace (v. 6)
- Sinful mind is hostile to God and does not submit to God’s law / Spirit controlled the mind that pleases God (vs. 7-8)
“If Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness” (v. 10). Since Jesus was raised from death, his Spirit will also give life to your mortal body. Therefore, if you are lead by the Spirit, you are sons of God and you can call Him Abba Father. You become his child and is heir of God and co-heirs with Christ to share his sufferings and glory.
FUTURE GLORY (vs. 18-27)
OUr present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory in the future. For the Spirit gives us hope and helps us in our weakness to intercede for us in accordance with God’s will.
MORE THAN CONQUERORS (vs. 28-39)
In everything, God has purpose for those who love him. He predestines, calls, justifies and glorifies. For nothing can separate us from the love of God. Neither trouble, hardship, persecution,famine, nakedness, danger, sword and all creation. For the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit is for us. Therefore, we are more than conquerors to face everything in the present and future.
THOUGHTS:
- Since the indwelling Holy Spirit fulfills the righteousness of the law in us, there is no more condemnation. The glorious salvation had set us free so that we must be be entangled with a yoke of bondage again.
- While the Spirit leads us into a glorious life of liberty, it does not mean we have the freedom to do anything we want. Rather, God has adopted us to be joint heirs of Christ. We must put to death the deeds of the flesh by the power of the Spirit and allow the Spirit to direct our daily lives.
- We are more than conquerors through Him because we have been justified. We are free from obligation and there is no separation between Father and us.
- God works everything for our good does not mean that all that happens to us is good. Despite of evil, God is able to turn every circumstance of the present around for a long range good. This promise is not for everybody but only to those who love God and are called by Him. His great love assures us of his presence and protection.