Romans

Free from indwelling sin; Sonship through the Spirit; From suffering to glory; God's everlasting love.

Romans 8:1-2

Chapters 6 and 7 have a parenthetical feel about them.  Chapter five ended with a summary of abounding grace by which were saved.  It is by this same grace we will walk in sanctification.  However, before we could move on, the questions of chapters 6 and 7 needed answered.  It was kind of like saying, "Before we go on, let me address a couple questions that will come up."  The questions were important and your questions are important.  You should get them answered.  You can’t grow in Christ if you’re not clear of the role of grace and the law in your life.  You must know and believe you are free from sin’s penalty.  You should also know sin will keep calling on you in aggressive ways; it will continue to attempt deceit and tempt you through the flesh.  Its consequences remain very real and painful. 

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. ¹⁷ And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

Get your questions answered.  Count the cost.  You must be sure of justification before stepping into sanctification. 

The 'therefore' of Romans 8 verse one then is a conclusion and next step in the process; but its moving on from chapter 5 and not 7.  Read the end of chapter 5 and then begin chapter 8 to follow Paul's thought process:

¹⁸ Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. ¹⁹ For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

²⁰ Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, ²¹ so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 We were once exposed to the law and the accusation it made.  It brought condemnation on us.  It accused us and rightfully so because we were guilty.  We were lawbreakers failing on every count. We are found guilty and deserving punishment.  This is what the word condemnation means; guilty and deserving of punishment.  Sin reigned in death by bringing condemnation, that’s all the law could do. 

However, since grace abounds and there is no condemnation to those who trust in Christ, who walk in the Spirit.  We should understand that ‘no condemnation’ is the same as justification.  Paul saw two laws at work in humanity:

1. The law of the Spirit of life
   1. The authority of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer
      1. To empower them over sin
      2. To guide and guard their life.
   2. Walk in the Spirit
   3. Free from bondage of sin and law
   4. No condemnation – fellowship with God

 

2. The law of sin and death.
   1. Walk in the flesh
      1. To reject God’s authority in favor of self rule.
      2. To love the world and the things of the world (1 John 2:15-17)
         1. The lust of the flesh (evil desires).
         2. The lust of the eyes (lustful behavior)
         3. The pride of life (arrogance produced by worldly possessions)
   2. Bondage to sin and law
   3. Condemned by sin to death – eternally separated from God

 

Since we are in Christ, all punishment we deserved was paid.  With our lives yielded to Christ.  The Spirit within us serves the law of God.  Yet, when we mess up, the law doesn’t come down on us.  The sin was already paid for and there is no condemnation.  Our identification with Christ is what brings this declaration of no condemnation.  Notice it says we are ‘in’ Christ.  In other places, the bible says, “Christ is ‘in’ us.   We could say, “We are in Christ by faith; He is in us by the His Spirit.”  We’re in Him, He’s in us.

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Corinthians 3:17)

With no condemnation, the way is open for a new life lived in Jesus Christ.  No charges will be brought by God.  Any charges brought by the enemy will be summarily dismissed as baseless in the courtroom God. 

NOTE:  The phrase 'who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit' from verse 1 probably has a notation in your bible, or is missing altogether, depending on the version you are using.  It exists in the KJV and NKJV, but is not in the NASB, NIV or ESV.  This phrase only showed up in later Greek manuscripts used to translate the KJV.  Earlier manuscripts did not have this phrase, so it is widely believed to be copyist error.  The exact same phrase is used in verse 4. 

We should note here, that it doesn’t say that Jesus takes away our sinful nature; just that we no longer live by it.  There is a law of sin and death and the law of the Spirit of Life; you must live by one of those laws.  As Christians we live in a life with Christ which is the Spirit of Life.

And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. - Galatians 5:24

The Message is a paraphrase of the bible.  Paraphrases don’t have much worth when it comes to bible study, however, they can enlighten us and, in this case, present a picture:

With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.(The Message)

There are two words Paul uses repeatedly in this chapter: flesh and spirit. 

• Flesh - Greek word 'Sarka' speaks of the human body and people.  However, Paul uses it as a term to describe the sin nature of human nature.  The natural man has a proclivity toward sin. 
• Spirit – Greek word ‘pneumatos’ is translated to spirit, wind or breath.  In most contexts, he is speaking of the Holy Spirit of God.

 

Romans 8:3-8

Paul’s cry in Romans is not after power to fulfill the simple morality of the Ten Commandments, but after inward holiness which the law could not impart.(Tozer)

We saw in verse one that Paul declared us free from condemnation (guilt); which is a freedom from the penalty of all previous sin.  Then, in verse two, we found we were free from the power of sin and death; which is to say there is no future condemnation.  These two verses state our spiritual position or standing in Christ, because of Christ.  This opens the way for verses 3 & 4 to move us to the practical application of that position.  This is the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.  The law could not do these things. 

The law is sometimes portrayed as the first choice that man failed at, forcing us to pursue Christ, as though He were an alternative or backup plan.  Keeping the law could never deliver what mankind needed.  We were chosen in Jesus from the foundations of the earth, this was always God’s plan (Eph 2:10; Rev 13:8).  In theory, the righteous, in the perfect keeping of the law, would be found to be righteous.  However, that was never possible for sin-fallen man.  The law did nothing to make one righteous, it was only the standard for which one was measured against.  Paul said the law was like a tutor:

Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵ But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. (Galatians 3:24)

The tutor couldn’t teach us to be righteous, it could only teach us how wretched we were.  The problem we have is that no descendant of Adam is righteous, the bible says not even one.  For sinful man then, the law could only declare us guilty.  The law couldn’t overcome sin, it could only identify it.   The law was weak and could not help a person overcome sin or escape its penalty.

1. It could not justify a person; cancel past sin.
2. It could not bring newness of life; regenerate (born again).
3. It could not sanctify a person; it could not do a work in a bad heart to make it good and fruit-bearing.

What the law could not do, God did by sending His Son.  Christ came in the ‘likeness’ of sinful flesh.  He was not sinful, He was not a son of Adam, yet, being miraculously conceived, He was human.  He experienced the weakness of the flesh and the vulnerability of human nature, yet He did not sin. 

²¹ For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

¹⁵ For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  (Hebrews 4:15)

⁴ But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born  ^dof a woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5)

Jesus was human as we are.  He was fully man as we are.  He came in the flesh but in His flesh He remained sinless.  Jesus condemned sin in the flesh when He, sinless, took the penalty of death for those that deserved it.  He did this so the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled.  That righteous requirement is: the penalty of sin is death.  Because we had sinned, the law says someone must die.  Jesus took all sin to the cross.  He was the perfect sinless sacrifice.  He took your condemnation and died the death you deserved.  We are then credited to have kept the law.

God the Son came and did what the law could not do.  He condemned sin – where the law and sin had brought condemnation to man, Jesus brought condemnation to sin.

1. Justifying sinful man.
2. Regenerating the spiritually dead – those who trust in Him are born again.
3. Gives us His Spirit, the Holy Spirit for ongoing sanctification

 

We no longer walk that way

When Paul says, "who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit" at the end of verse 4, he is not using this as a condition for our salvation.  He's not saying God will do this if you walk a certain way.  This phrase is used to describe a believer's new nature, or character; because of what Jesus did, we are not a people who walk according to the flesh.   The law lacked the ability to give power over sin, but as a believer we walk in the Spirit; that is our source of power. 

Paul shows us a contrast:

The unbeliever                                     Believer

Mind set on the flesh                             Mind on things of the Spirit

Death & Enmity                                   Life & Peace

Carnally minded                                    Spiritually minded

Lawless, opposing God                          Aligned with God’s law

 

Paul is not describing carnal Christians or contrasting good and bad believers.  He is contrasting the old life to the new life.  There is no middle road where we can be believers, saved in Jesus but where we act as unbelievers. 

The carnal mind, that of an unbeliever is at war with God (whether we actually declare it or not).  This darkened mind has no regard for God's law or ability to keep the law.  They are weak in the flesh and the law has no effect on them.  To have your mind on the flesh is to think of here, now, what pleases me this instant.  It’s to believe I deserve and have a right to everything I covet and imagine.   To have in mind the things of the Spirit is to be aligned with Lord God; to be obedient and directed by Him.  It is to trust in the Lord in this place and this time because our lives are bought and paid for by the precious blood of Jesus.  The law has done its work in driving us to Jesus where the law was fulfilled.  A believer is legally righteous from Jesus’ work.  We have been rescued from sin and death.  Because we are eternal creatures, today, now, is but a tiny blip on the radar.  Whatever suffering, whatever discomfort is but a light and momentary affliction. 

 

Romans 8:9-11

As believers, we live in human flesh, but we no longer live in our human nature.  Paul refers to our flesh, meaning our human nature and proclivity to sin and war with God.  As believers, we no longer live in that.  We’ve become a temple of the Lord, His Holy Spirit lives in us. 

Paul gave the Roman believers a simple test of salvation in verse 9.  He used the word ‘if’; “if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.”  If he doesn’t dwell in you, you are not His, you simply haven’t been justified, regenerated, nor has sanctification begun.  If you have been justified, your spirit is alive within the flesh that is dead from sin.  This contrast is evident to every believer; as it is also to those that knew the old you.  It is the stir of eternal life and the things of God within this body that is dying daily. 

If God dwells in you by the way of the Holy Spirit. And, if He could raise Jesus from the dead, He will do the same for us.  We are born again now in these mortal bodies and He is not limited by our flesh.  He can bring new life to our mortal bodies.  Sin rules in the flesh and wars with the Spirit and the Spirit wars with flesh.  The Spirit has the authority and power to give life in this mortal body.  In this mortal flesh we can live lives that are spirit led.  However, this is not the ultimate application of His power.  This comes in the resurrection when we are given new immortal, glorified bodies.  If God can raise Jesus, how much more is He capable of raising you and I. 

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)

 

Romans 8:12-17

We are under an obligation, but it’s no longer and obligation to the flesh and sin.  Walking in the spirit, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we now have a choice that Paul portrays as a new obligation.  We were once in bondage to sin, ruled by sin.  Now, sin is defeated and we can have power over sin.  To live according to the Spirit is to put to death the deeds of flesh and display we are sons of God.  Paul wants to make it clear; we don’t owe a debt to the flesh.  It’s okay and right to put to death the deeds of the body.  In doing so, you will live.

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.  (1 John 3:1-3)

The flip side of verse 14 needs to be noted; those that are not led by the Spirit are not sons of God.  That’s what the bible says.  If at this point you can't say you are led by the spirit, Paul might have easily said to return to Romans 1 and repeat until you are, then you can proceed in spiritual maturity.  Those that argue it’s okay to live like a pagan and expect to go to heaven are fooling themselves only.  In the end they are the fools.

A life lived in the spirit of bondage is a life lived by fear;

Fear of failing to do everything right

Fear of not doing enough

Fear of doing something wrong. 

Fear God will catch up with us.

Fear someone will take our stuff

Fear we’ll catch a bug and die

Fear our bodies will fail

Fear life won’t go our way.

Fear of fear and of the effects of fear.

It never ends.

In our mind we have a list of things we can and can’t do.  That’s bondage and a spirit of fear.  We know we haven’t even kept our list of things.  As unbelievers, we can’t imagine we could keep God’s list.  But that fear is a based on a life from the pit of hell.  Satan’s lie that we aren’t good enough and could never measure up robs many of salvation. 

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

(2 Timothy 1:7)

To be led by the Spirit is proof you are a son.  As sons of the God Most High, we are adopted into the family of God and into a new kingdom.  This adoption is instant and immediate recognition as an adult Son.  Our inheritance begins immediately.  Due to His grace, we are eternally indebted to our heavenly Father.  However, He doesn’t count our debt, or demand payment of any kind.  He freed us from our old debtor that we have the freedom to choose to love Him. 

We can have an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father.  We can cry out to Him, Abba Father!!  Abba is a term of endearment from a son to a father, likened to ‘daddy’.  In this new relationship, we act not out of fear and bondage but we act in relationship and obedience to an incredible, awesome Father.  Our actions are driven by the relationship not as a list of dos and don’ts.  Our actions are to please Him and bring glory to Him.  We will mess up and He will chasten us as any loving father would, but we live in a reverent respect of the Lord, not in bondage and fear.  In reverence, we long to please our Daddy, our Father in Heaven.

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It is said that Napoleon’s horse ran away one day and a common, lowly soldier caught the horse and returned it to Napoleon, at which he responded, “Thank you, Captain.” The man immediately packed all his belongings and moved from a common soldier's quarters to the quarters of the officers.  Upon unpacking, the new Captain went to mess with the other officers.  This common soldier was no more just a common soldier simply because the emperor had called him captain.  This simple declaration by Napoleon had transformed this man to an officer. [1]

We are all common sinners among men until we are justified in Christ.  Suddenly, we are called sons and daughters of the Most High.  Just as this young soldier understood his new identity, we too should pack up and spiritually move to the place in which we are appointed.  Paul’s encouraging us to move, don’t keep the old address, old friends and old ways.  We should pack up and move to the palace with the king of Kings.

The presence of the Holy Spirit in our life is evidence we are children of God.  Because we are children, we are also heirs of God and joint heir with Christ.  We can barely imagine what that means.  We have an inheritance with Christ.  We will inherit the kingdom of God and paradise. 

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” ⁷ Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

(Galatians 4)

As sons and daughters, we are characterized by walking according to the Spirit and not walking in the flesh.  We might immediately wonder what these terms mean; 'walking in flesh' or 'walking in the Spirit'. 

 

Walking in the Flesh

• Walking in the flesh is about self.  Walking in the flesh can be anything from looking at this world with just our physical eyes, to action and decisions based only on our 'feelings' and 'emotions'; in essence living with a mindset that says, "It's all about me, my comfort, my joy and my contentedness."  No cost is too great when we walk in the flesh.  We place ourselves high on the throne of our life.  This is our natural inclination; after all, we suppose, who could better than I what is good for?
• To walk in the flesh is to walk in fear.  This is a fear of every outside influence; weather, virus, bacteria, job, money, boss, family member, nightmares, neighbor's dog, and whatever else affects our comfort and happiness.  When we sit on our throne, we alone have to figure out how to overcome the negative effects of life.  We quickly figure out that control is a thinly veiled illusion.  In that realization, we become even more fearful.  

“In every Christian’s heart there is a cross and a throne, and the Christian is on the throne till he puts himself on the cross. If he refuses the cross, he remains on the throne. Perhaps this is at the bottom of the backsliding and worldliness among gospel believers today. We want to be saved but we insist that Christ do all the dying. No cross for us, no dethronement, no dying. We remain king within the little kingdom of Mansoul and wear our tinsel crown with all the pride of a Caesar, but we doom ourselves to shadows and weakness and spiritual sterility.”

― A.W. Tozer, The Radical Cross: Living the Passion of Christ

Tozer agrees with Paul; Christianity and carnality don't go together.  Those who walk in the Spirit, who are in Christ, have denied themselves, pick up their cross daily and follow Jesus.  It's not about us, our emotions, our joy and contentment; it's about Christ.  And when there is suffering or affliction in our life, we don't respond in a panic as if every discomfort is an attack from Satan on our cushy Christian life.  As a follower in Christ, we will suffer in this world.  How could we not?  While we are no longer of this world or its value system, we still exist in a sin-fallen world and we still live and breathe in sin-fallen flesh.  Suffering is part of a Christian's life. 

This suffering takes many forms.  But since Paul is talking about walking in the Spirit, I don't think he is talking about just physical suffering.  I believe that Christ suffered every day in seeing the effects of sin on this world and its people.  He suffered when people died in their sins.  He suffered when he saw what humans do to themselves and each other.  In our walk in this world today, we can walk in victory in Christ.  But within that victory is a broken-hearted suffering.  We are to venture through this dark and dying world, in essence saying, "This is where the Lord has me today.  Since I am in Him, and He in Me, He has me here for His purpose and glory."  This is true whether we understand the purpose or not. 

There exists in us an eternal longing to go home.  In Christ, as we are sanctified; we might sometimes feel like the farmer wearing his Sunday best, but traipsing across the hog lot - you're going to get some of the filth on you.  As we grow, we long to be delivered from this mess.  Let us learn our lessons quickly and well.  Let us have our eyes on Christ so as not to miss what he has in store for us.  Let us not quench the Spirit but deny the flesh and walk in that Spirit.

****

Strange isn't it.  The dark cloud is lifted, the gloom of sin is gone, we no longer live according to that sin, law and flesh.  We still suffer in this new liberty, but it's a different kind of suffering.  Now that we operate in the eternal and infinite the scale is larger and our little daily problems are a momentary and light affliction.  This life isn't working and grinding it out every day to arrive in a place of comfort to enjoy before we die.  In Christ, every day is a great adventure.  This brings to mind the Steven Curtis Chapman song:

We'll travel over, over mountains so high
We'll go through valleys below
Still through it all we'll find that
This is the greatest journey that the human heart will ever see
The love of God will take us far beyond our wildest dreams

Saddle up your horses we've got a trail to blaze
Through the wild blue yonder of God's amazing grace
Let's follow our leader into the glorious unknown
This is a life like no other - this is The Great Adventure

Sin robs us and steals from our great adventure. Humanity is guilty of looking at sin weighing far lighter than God would.  We respond flippantly if we respond at all.  Is it really that big a deal?  Is it not removing robes of righteousness, leaving the palace of our king and returning to our wretchedness?  Is it not going back to the old address and inviting your former master to shackle you and sentence you to death?  Is this why Jesus said:

 

Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!  ⁸ “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. ⁹ And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.  (Matthew 18:7-9)

As sons and daughters, we are missing out if we aren't walking in the Spirit. 

• The Holy Spirit is the mark of authenticity that you are a true believer.
• The Spirit bears witness by bringing Fruit of the Spirit in our life.  When there is godly fruit in our life, it is a testimony to a Great God and the work He has done in you. 
• The Spirit testifies to your place in the family; that of a son or daughter.  A coheir with Christ.  We have all the rights of a natural born son of God, rather than what we received as a son of Adam.
• To walk in the Spirit is identifying with Christ in His suffering.  This is not just a spiritualized suffering by identifying with the cross.  If we are Christlike in a fallen world, we won’t be accepted.  Yet, knowing we suffer with Him, we will be glorified together.
• The Spirit of the Lord is freedom and liberty.  We have a relationship with responsibility rather than being in bondage.

Note:  In the Greek and Roman cultures when there was no son or daughter, a man might adopt and slave into his family.  That servant, once held in bondage by some debt that he owed not only received his freedom, but was now a full-blown member of the family with all the rights and privileges; including inheritance.  It is said there were 2 parts to an adoption; first, that of the personal and private transaction, then second, that of the public proclamation for all to see.  Imagine the shock of that proclamation to some who saw a person live much of their life in bondage now proclaimed to be a son and heir.  That may be the same shock folks have when they knew the old you and now see a new person in Christ walking in the Spirit.  Many believe it is this very picture Paul had in mind in this passage of scripture. 

 

Romans 8:18-22

As sons of God, we are heirs of God and will inherit the promise of Eternal life.  We ought not pass this by without thought.  This is a great promise; but we don’t truly know how great it is.  We are also joint heirs with Christ, receiving all the same privileges as He.  Again, what all could this mean?  For starters, it means we follow Christ.

1. He submitted to will of the Father.
2. He suffered.
   1. Spiritual suffering:  Temptation to sin
   2. Emotional suffering:  Life in a fallen world.
      1. “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35)
   3. Physical suffering when he was nailed to the cross.
   4. The culmination of spiritual, emotional and physical suffering as He felt the weight of sin; as the father looked away.
      1. My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46)
3. He died.
4. He was resurrected, overcoming sin and death.
   1. The firstfruits of many to follow.
      1. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. ²² For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. ²³ But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. (1 Cor 15:20-23)

In verse 17 Paul indicated there is a suffering that comes first, before the glorification.  What is this suffering?  We are justified, declared righteous.  So suffering isn’t a salvation issue, but an indication of salvation; something that comes afterward.  It appears to be integrated into the sanctification process; our process of growth.  Some consider this as preparation for glorification and heavenly service.  

1. Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness. He was offered a shortcut to ruling a kingdom.
   1. His deity was challenged.
   2. His purpose was challenged when he was offered the kingdom of the world.  All He had to do was bow to Satan. 
   3. His privilege was challenged when He was called on to tempt God by throwing Himself from the pinnacle of the temple.
2. Jesus was not accepted in his home town of Nazareth.  They wanted to throw Him off a cliff (Luke 4:29)
3. Jesus walked in a sin-fallen world.  He repeatedly said this wasn’t His kingdom.  He was brokenhearted over the effects of sin.  He healed and raised several from the dead.  He wept as the grave of Lazarus, even when He knew He would raise him.
4. Jesus was nailed to a cross He did not deserve.  He took the burden of sin upon Himself and willingly gave his life.  He felt the physical suffering of the cross.  He felt the emotional detachment from the father because of sin. And He suffered the Spiritual weight of the sin of mankind. 

 

To follow Christ and suffer is not a single point of suffering in a single season.  To follow Christ is to experience the separation from this world.  We will be tempted to give up our walk and mission with the Lord.  We will likely fail at times and feel the disappointment of sin in a justified life.  We won’t be accepted in our hometown, though hopefully not thrown off a cliff.  We will walk in a sin-fallen world while the Lord sanctifies us.  The more work He does, the less we’ll fit in this world; the less we’ll feel like we belong.  We are not called to die on a cross, but we are called to bear our cross.  To identify with Christ is to die to self-will and self-rule.  We submit to the rule of God in our life.  This means walking different paths than our flesh might desire.  It might mean service and love to someone we find hard to serve and love.  While in our flesh, we feel we are missing out on what we desire and the life we want, Paul assures us, whatever we think we are sacrificing doesn’t even register in the eternal perspective.

In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

(John 16:33)

 

Is it worth it?

Maybe you’ve asked yourself this.  All these present sufferings seem so burdensome and prominent in our life.  While suffering is in God’s plan, it interrupts our plans; suffering brings all kinds of emotion and feelings we don’t like.  God’s plan is of a future glory revealed in us.  We likely envision this as glory on one end of the scale and suffering on the other end, as though they were opposites on the same scale.  When you go to the doctor when you’re suffering, they ask where is your pain (suffering) on a scale of 1-10?  Paul is saying glory isn’t on that scale, it’s not the lack of suffering.  This glory is off the charts, on a supernatural scale. 

¹¹ Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, ¹² looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? ¹³ Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:13)

The anxious and persistent expectation of the entire creation is eagerly waiting for the revelation of the glory.  It's as if the whole of creation is on the edge of it seat, waiting, ever since that incident in the garden.  Since the fall of man, the entire creation was subjected to the degrading effects of sin.  Death came to the whole of creation, but God subjected the creation to it in hope.  This hope is a sure time when the creation will also be delivered from the corruption it has experienced.

Verse 19 says, the creation eagerly awaits the revealing of the sons of God.  The word for revealing is the Greek word Apocalypse.  It’s the word revelation or unveiling.  The creation is waiting for the unveiling, the public declaration as it were, of the Sons of God.  It’s as though the creation was also plunged into the effects of sin by God.  God assigned mankind to rule the earth but Adam gave away for a time.  God allowed this fallenness throughout history as God brought His plan of salvation and redemption to mankind.  Paul portrays the creation in the bondage of corruption and it longs to be freed.  It is groaning for release.  How does the whole creation groan in labor?  They are the birth pangs of a new heaven and a new earth, not the gasping moan of death of the old, but birth pangs of the new. 

 

Romans 8:23-25

The creation groans for things to be made right again, a release and new birth. The first fruit that ripens and is harvested from a tree gives hope and a promise of much more fruit to come.  The firstfruit of believer’s life gives promise of much more to come.  The work of the Spirit in our life is just the beginning.  It is a promise and hope of something more.  Paul pictures a believer as groaning within; the suffering is really a type of birth pang of a new life.  The suffering will intensify and increase in frequency right before the birth, yet instead of birth, Paul portrays it as adoption.  This adoption has been complete, the price paid, the legal work done, the paperwork signed with blood.  All that needs to be done is to pick up the new family member.   I believe this groaning reveals itself in various ways; not the least of which is an eternal longing in conjunction with the weariness this world brings to us. 

 

Single Payment Layaway

The presence of the Holy Spirit within us is evidence of down payment for the final redemption yet to come.  These things that come from the Spirit give you a glimpse of this coming glory, these are precious gifts, an occasional slice of heaven to hold us off.  It’s a glimpse into eternity and holiness.  This glimpse or peek at the coming fruit leaves us groaning deep inside for the real thing.  The coming fruit won’t have to work through the carnal flesh and fight the sinful nature of our bodies.  We’ll be delivered, glorified and completed in Christ.  We’ll be a new creation as God intended us to be.

As born-again believers, we await and long for our adoption to be complete.  While we were adopted instantly as co heirs with Christ, the consummation of our adoption is the redemption of our body.  That’s when the time of suffering will be complete.

⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. ⁸ We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—¹⁰ always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (2 Cor. 4:8–9)

As Christians we have the first fruits of the spirit.  This is what allows us to be hard-pressed, perplexed, persecuted and struck down without being crushed, in despair, forsaken and destroyed!

 

Hope

As we wait for the completion of our adoption by receiving our full inheritance it would be easy to lose hope.  You see and feel the world literally coming apart at the seams.  In our sufferings of this life, we might even begin to think this life is as good as it gets; or worse yet, believe God has forgotten about us?  Those Christians in Rome may have been considering if it was worth it.  The Christians today in Afghanistan may be feeling similarly; as well as those in China, North Korea and many other places.

The earth is groaning, we are groaning and now the Spirit is interceding with groaning on our behalf.  Our groaning is simultaneously a groan of suffering as well as longing for relief.  The groaning of the Spirit, or in the Spirit, is a wordless prayer that carries our longing to heaven.

The Roman believers could not see the hope in the midst of their suffering.  We can draw two thoughts from Paul’s words in verse 24. 

1. Our hope will not be visible in this world.  Our hope is in the unseen and just because we can’t see it right now doesn’t make it any less real.  There is an unseen reality all around us.
2. If it is visible in this world, we should not be hoping in it.  The things we see will lead us astray and harm our faith. 

Our hope comes from our faith.  It’s leaning on the assurance that our senses won’t reveal to us.  It’s leaning on the blessed assurance our Spirit reveals to us.  This hope Paul is talking about is a confident expectation.  It’s a sure thing.  Paul is saying, ‘Don’t hope in what you see.  That isn’t hope at all.  We hope in the unseen because it is a sure thing.  And we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

 

Romans 8:26-27

As you persevere, you will suffer; as you suffer, you will eagerly await the sure hope.  While we wait, the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.  In times when we are weak, beat down and can’t find encouragement in our hope, the Spirit makes intercession.  God is active and working on our behalf when we are in our deepest and darkest times.  The same God that searches and knows our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit.  He knows exactly what we need and knows exactly how you feel.  He will bring your prayer to God according to the will of God.  The Spirit, our Counselor, is there to help us in our weaknesses.   

 

Romans 8:28-30

If you don’t underline or highlight any other verse in your entire bible, you must still underline this verse.    In your suffering, in your time of pain and distress, He is there.  The Spirit is interceding and He knows what we need.  God is at work within every circumstance for the good of His People.  We don’t always get to see the good and sometimes it’s for our own good.  The good is sometimes painful.  The promise is that all these things will work to the good of those who love Him.  It doesn’t mean we will always agree or understand that good because the good is according to His purpose.  In some circumstances we can only persevere and love Him and trust the promise.  It's been said that every day, in a thousand ways, God asks, "Do you trust me with this?"

The story of Joseph is a classic case of God’s will coming about from circumstance that seemed very bad.  He was sold into slavery by his family and thrown in prison by Potiphar.  He could have wallowed in self-pity but God used those circumstances to put him in a place where he controlled the food.  In that place, he was where he could help his family; and from that, would flow reconciliation.  The awful circumstances of Joseph’s life put him the perfect place to be used by God.  He became a seed for the nation of Israel.  God’s chosen race grew and prospered in that land. 

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. (Gen 50:20)

We can’t forget that God’s ways are not our ways; nor does God owe us an explanation.  We believe the word and promise, by faith.  If we are those who are ‘the called,’ then we can hold onto the promise that it is for good.  We have to know that we serve a sovereign God who can take any circumstance and make it work to the good of those who love Him.

God has gone to great lengths to save us.  He didn’t save us so we can be abandoned on the battlefield.  God didn’t go to great lengths to purchase you from your sin to lose you while you wait.  We can trust the progression; God will see it to the end.

1.   Foreknowledge: God knew us before we were.  God chose us long before we knew Him or chose him.  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). (Also see Amos 3:2; 1 Cor. 8:3; Gal. 4:9).

2.   Predestination: It is God's predestined plan to bring salvation to fallen man.  This can be viewed in a more universal sense or a personal sense; i.e. God knew me and predestined me to be conformed to the image of Jesus.

3.   Calling: This is God's call upon our life.  It's His initiation of the predestined plan.

4.   Justification: This is the regenerative work of God upon a believer when they come to Jesus by faith.  As a person trusts in Christ and repents of their sins, Jesus washes them clean.  Their penalty of death owed by their sin has then been paid by the Jesus. 

• Adoption: We become Sons and daughters of the most High with all the benefits of a son and daughter.

5.   Though not listed here by Paul, the time between the justification and the glorification is the time of walking out our faith on this earth.  Two important aspects are involved.

• Sanctification: God’s ongoing work by the Holy Spirit to conform His children to image of his Son.
• Perseverance:  This is the walk itself.  It's the balance of continuing in the faith while walking in a fallen world.  It's longing for home, but functioning here in a Christlike manner.

5.   Glorification: God's work of fulfilling His purpose.  This is the final act of transforming a fallen sinner into the image of the Jesus Christ, for all eternity.

From beginning to end, God has had, and will continue to have a plan.  He is involved in every aspect of our life.  To the Roman Christians, Paul was saying God didn't save you just to let you wander aimlessly fending for yourself in this world.  All that was happening was happening by the hand of God.  it was part of their walk, the plan for their life.  Many times, we need to be reminded we are the clay, what right do we have to question the potter? 

We should use caution here and not let this foreknowledge and predestination throw us off.  While each of these are a work of God, our personal responsibility still exists.  Our free will is not violated by God's foreknowledge.  God doesn't force His salvation on the reluctant.  If a person chooses against God's plan, they are clearly not chosen or called.  It is our rebellious nature to demand the control of this.  If we a person is offended at God's sovereignty, they aren't likely to be in a place of surrendering their will. 

Because we are a people who want to control every circumstance of our life in great detail this almost seems offensive to us.  However, Paul is speaking to the Roman Christians who didn’t have the freedoms we have.  Many were slaves and persecution of Christians may have been starting about this time.  These were working class folks suffering through the pains of life.  Paul is trying to build them up and let them know God didn’t begin a work in their life just to abandon them in the midst of their present suffering.

God did all this so, verse 29 says, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.  The firstborn was a place of prominence.  It was a double inheritance.  God does this work in believers, even though suffering, we might find our place as sons of God, adopted into the kingdom as the 'many brethren' to follow the firstborn.

This is God’s order of business.

¹¹ In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, ¹² that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:11)

 

Romans 8:31-36

How shall we summarize these things?  What things?  These, among others

• We have been justified by grace.
• There is therefore now no condemnation.
• We have the Spirit of God in us, we can walk with Him.
• We received the Spirit of adoption
• We hold a promise of future glory that far overshadows the current suffering.
• The creation anticipates and we eagerly await our redemption.

 

Who can be against us?

God is for us and at work in our redemption now and for our future.  This should bring every believer comfort.  Another question might be that if God is for us what does it matter if anyone or anything else is against us?  God is the highest authority.  If He is for us, no one can stand against Him.  A stand against us is a stand against Him.  Nothing else really matters.

The supreme authority of heaven and earth spared nothing on our behalf.  He didn’t even withhold His son but delivered Him up for us.  This is evidence that God is for us.  If He didn’t hold back His son would He not freely give us the things a loving father might give a son?  And if He didn’t withhold His son, is there anything good he would keep from us?  Has He not shown His willingness to offer the very best when He offered His son on our behalf.  God went to great lengths because He loves us.

 

Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect?

We are justified by God.  He is the highest judge and highest authority, period.   His ruling of ‘not guilty’ trumps all other judgments, declaration or charges.  The only one who brings a charge is Satan.  He is our accuser.  But the indictment made by Satan against us is thrown out since the penalty has already been paid.

If God justifies you then who could bring any charge against you?  No one and no thing on heaven or earth can condemn what God has justified.  Remember this section started by saying, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus."

 

Who is he who condemns?

It is Christ who condemns, because it is He who died and has risen.  He condemns sin (8:3) and death and will soon condemn Satan to a lake of fire.  Our Savior and advocate is seated at the place of honor at the throne of the father.  He is interceding on our behalf.  There is no hope that anyone or anything could condemn us. 

 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

If Christ, our savior, is at the right hand of the Almighty and is an advocate on our behalf, what could possibly separate us?  For those in Christ, we know that death ushers us into His presence; so death will not separate us.  Will the things of life?  Will the hard times turn you away?  Should we run away when we are distressed?  How about when persecution comes?  If you are found in the midst of a famine, or nakedness, peril or sword; should we worry?  Is there any place, any line in the midst of anything in which we should be concerned about His love for us?   The questions are all rhetorical because the answer is obvious, especially when we read this and sit in peace in church.  But what about when we are in the midst of these things of life?  Can we then remember the inseparable love Jesus has for us?  Can we once again remember:

• We have been justified by grace.
• There is therefore now no condemnation.
• We have the Spirit of God in us, we can walk with Him.
• We received the Spirit of adoption
• Our hope is found in a future glory that far overshadows the current suffering.
• The creation anticipates and we eagerly await our redemption.
• Nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus

Verse 36 is a quote from Psalm 44.  The sons of Korah sang a lamentation regarding suffering and affliction.  They were crying out to God, not understanding why He allowed the circumstances.  Along with this is the thought that suffering has always been the lot of the people of God.  We might add another thought of Paul; to live is Christ, to die is gain.  We simply can't lose!

 

Romans 8:37-39

We are more than conquerors through Christ. Every day we see victories of many kinds. Sometimes they are won on scoreboards, sometimes victories in the mind. Sometimes the victory is overcoming a diagnosis, addiction, depression or a moral failure. These victories are nice, meaningful and valuable in life. However, from an eternal perspective they are short-term celebrations ranging from a brief party to an opportunity to get on with life. Like the changing leaves in the fall, these victories will fade; in the end, on the day we take our last breath on this earth, they won’t change our destiny. However, those in Christ are called more than conquerors. This is not just to win, but to win an incredibly lopsided victory. It’s coming from behind when there was no hope; its rising from jaws of defeat to, not just eke out a victory and fall across the finish line first, but to be victorious in fine fashion. It is a surpassing defeat of the thing that once held you in defeat, sin and death. This is the story of the life of a Christian. Live victoriously in Christ with sin and death a distant smudge in the rearview mirror.

This is the only place in the bible where this word for ‘more than conquerors’ is used. It is nowhere near a normal victory, but rises far above that.  Through Christ, we don’t just have a victory; we don't just fall across the finish line in the nick of time.  Our victory is way beyond that, way beyond what we can fully see or comprehend in this life.

We’ve talked about how suffering is part of this life as a Christian.  Suffering is one of the “things” God will use to work things out to the good of those who love Him.  And these are the same things God promises we will be more than conquerors through Christ.

Nothing can separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• Death or life:  Nothing in life or death can separate us.  We live with Him in life and we die with Him.  We also rise with Him and live in eternity with Him.
• Angels, principalities or powers; The Jews had a widely developed belief in the angelic world.  They were taught by their Rabbis that there were angels all around, associated with all parts of creation.  There were, and are no angels, either good or bad, that could separate us from Christ.
• Things present or things to come; The age in which we live seems to be the most important one in all of history.  There is no doubt this has been true to every individual.  But neither this age or the age to come can harm the love Christ has for us.
• No height or depth; This is a reference to planets and their location in the sky.  There were folks living the life according to these things.  They feared the influence of the stars and planets.  Paul is saying these things can’t hurt you.  They can’t interfere with our relationship with Jesus.
• No created thing; Nothing in all of creation, from far reaches of furthest galaxy to the depths of the earth.

Wiersbe summarized this chapter this way:  We are free from judgment because Christ died for us and we have His righteousness.  We are free from defeat because Christ lives in us by His Spirit and we share His life.  We are free from discouragement because Christ is coming for us and we will share His glory.  We are free from fear because Christ intercedes for us and we cannot be separated from His love.

Amen.

 

©2008, 2014, 2021 Doug Ford, Calvary Chapel Sweetwater