Overcomers

Romans 8:31-39

 “What then shall we say to these things?” (Romans 8:31, ESV)

Up to this point, the book of Romans has been speaking of the great salvation God has worked on our behalf. Starting with the fact that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, the book has explained how we are justified by faith. From justification by faith, the book moved into an explanation of how we are made holy by the sanctifying work of God in our lives.

Romans 8:28-30 shows us that God works in all things to shape us into the image of His Son and ultimately to glorify us.

This question, “What then shall we say to these things?” is a triumphant exclamation as we reflect on the tremendous grace and love that God has poured out on us. 

We are overcomers! 

Romans 8:37 says:

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37 ESV

Romans 8:37 describes us as “more than conquerors!” In other words, we are completely and overwhelmingly victorious. Romans 8:31-39 answers the question, “What shall we say to these things?” by showing how we are victorious. We will look at three different statements related to our victory. First, we will see that we are overcomers because God is for us. Second, we will see that we are overcomers because Jesus intercedes for us. And, finally, we will see that we are overcomers because God loves us.

First, let’s consider the statement that we are overcomers because God is for us. We find this statement in Romans 8:31-33.

These verses show us two facts by which we know God is for us. We know God is for us because He did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all. In addition, God justifies us. In order to understand these two facts, we must first consider what it means to say, “God is for us.”

What do we mean when we say, “God is for us?”

Two challenges to God’s goodness and support of us are presented for our consideration in the text. First, we see the challenge to God’s providence. We often feel as if we do not have enough, for example, enough strength or enough money. How much is enough? Since we are all here, alive, clothed and fed, I am not going to spend much time on this. In addition, I want to spend more time on the second challenge to God’s goodness and support of us. The second challenge concerns charges that are often brought against us.

Do you ever react defensively when asked, “Why did you _______?” (You fill in the blank. It can be something as innocuous as “Why did you not take out the trash?” or as bad as “Why did you beat your spouse?” Notice that each of these includes an accusation.) The question “Why did you ______, assumes the guilt and seeks an explanation. Therefore, it comes across as an accusation. We answer the “why question” frequently both to those close to us and within our own conscience. As Romans 2:15 says, “They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them...” (Romans 2:15 ESV) In this verse, we see that our conflicting thoughts both accuse and excuse us. These accusations represent one form of charges brought against us. When we compare ourselves to the perfect standard of God’s righteous law, we all find that we do not measure up to the perfect standard. We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Not only do our own consciences accuse us, in addition, we face constant accusations from the one known as the “accuser of the brethren.” Revelation 12:10 says that he accuses us before the Father day and night.

Job is an example of charges brought against a man of God. First, Satan accused Job before God, and then three of Job’s friends took turns accusing Job. Satan accuses each of us, and we all have people in our lives who, like Job’s friends, remind us of our faults.

But, God has declared us righteous. Romans 8:33 says:

Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. (Romans 8:33 ESV)

God has declared that we are right with Him. So, not one of the charges brought against us can stick. This reminds us of the start of the eighth chapter where it says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

This is what it means to say, “God is for us.” First, He provides for all of our needs and second He has declared us righteous. Truly, we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Because of this, we are overcomers.

Another statement that shows we are victorious is:

We are overcomers because Jesus intercedes for us.

The intercession of Jesus helps us in two things that the text points out. First, the intercession of Jesus helps us in regard to condemnation, and, second, the intercession of Jesus helps us in regard to hardship.

First, let’s look at how Jesus’s intercession helps us in regard to condemnation. After asking who will bring a charge against us, the text asks, “Who is to condemn?” Condemnation is taking the accusation to the next step and passing sentence on us. In other words, a charge is brought before the judge and the judge passes sentence. 

Who is our judge?

Be careful! We are not fit to judge ourselves, not because we are biased, but because God is the judge. Scriptures teach us through the Apostle Paul that we are not fit to judge ourselves. 1 Corinthians 4:3-4 says:

But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. (1 Corinthians 4:3-4 ESV)

Here, it is clear, as the Apostle says; he does not even judge himself. All judgment is in the hands of the Lord. The Lord is our judge.

We have no right to condemn or pass summary judgement on any person. James 4:11-12 says:

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? (James 4:11-12 ESV)

While the Scripture makes it clear that only God is the judge, we take it upon ourselves to judge ourselves. We condemn ourselves. We do not live up to the standard we have set for ourselves and therefore we condemn ourselves. We pass judgment on ourselves and live with a load of shame and guilt, and we will even punish ourselves.

What is more, the world around us reinforces this judgment. Whether the people around us condemn us or not, we feel condemned. The devil, the accuser of the brethren, specializes in condemning us. 

Two things about Jesus take care of this. First, He died for us. In other words, the penalty has already been paid. Whatever the judgment against us, whatever the fine, it has been paid. Colossians 2:14 explains how our penalty has been paid when it says:

...by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:14 ESV)

Not only did Jesus pay our debt, canceling the judgment against us, but He also intercedes for us. He sits in the place of honor at the right hand of the judge and says, “Father, you can dismiss this charge. I paid for it.”

Jesus’s intercession for us helps in the charges that the devil levels against us, and, in addition, Jesus’s intercession helps us in hardship.

The text asks a question:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." (Romans 8:35-36 ESV)

This passage reflects how we are treated in this world. We experience many things that seem to us to indicate that God does not care or He is powerless to save us. We suffer, loved ones suffer and we all face death. We are tempted to doubt, which the devil would love for us to doubt. James 1:6-7 tells us:

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; (James 1:6-7 ESV)

The world lies in the power of the evil one. He is called the prince and power of the air. He is the spirit that is at work in the unbelieving. He is the enemy of our souls. While we are in this world, we suffer the consequences of sin along with all of humanity. Sickness, disease and death are in the world because of sin and although we are saved, forgiven, sanctified and cleansed, we suffer the general consequences of sin. We look forward to the day when we are glorified with Christ and have bodies that are free from all consequences and effects of sin. 

In the meantime, as God’s children, we must understand that trials come as training and discipline to strengthen our faith and cause us to grow. Jesus is our example. Even Jesus learned obedience from the things He suffered. Hebrews 5:8 tells us:

Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. (Hebrews 5:8 ESV)

God is not insensitive to our suffering. Although we do not know the reasons, we can trust in His love for us. This is where Romans 8 takes us when it asks, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” Jesus demonstrated His great love for us by dying in our place to pay the penalty for our sins. We can trust such great love, even in this world where we are killed all day long. Jesus, who has suffered as we suffer and who has lived in the world with the same enemy we have, understands our suffering and intercedes for us.

Because of Jesus’s intercession on our behalf, we are overcomers.

We have seen that because God is for us, we are overcomers, and because Jesus intercedes for us, we are overcomers. Now, in conclusion, we will consider that because God loves us we are overcomers.

The text says:

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 ESV)

Is not our greatest fear death?

Is not our greatest challenge life?

Are not angels and rulers greater than we are?

Can we control or predict the future?

Can we reach the stars?

Can we reach the center of the earth?

Even if we conquer some or all of these things, there will always be something greater than ourselves, something over which we have no dominion, power or control. However, God is greater than all things. God is over all dominions and greater than all powers. There is a truth expressed in Job 34:14-15 that I love. Job 34:14-15 speaks of God’s power when it says:

If he should set his heart to it and gather to himself his spirit and his breath, all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust. (Job 34:14-15 ESV)

Another version of this is found in Lamentations 3:22.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (Lamentations 3:22 KJV)

God’s love never fails. God’s love never changes. As Romans 8:32 says:

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32 ESV)

Why do we value the things of this world more than God? Why do we waste our time on things destined to perish? Seek God and His kingdom first and trust Him to add all things that you need. What treasure can you possibly gain that is greater than the love of God?

All who love God are more than overcomers through Christ Jesus who loves us. We have overcome sin, death, the grave, the world and the devil. We celebrate our victory in Christ. We are overcomers!

Predestined

Romans 8:28-30

What is God’s purpose for your life?

Do you know?

What is keeping you from pursuing God’s purpose for your life?

In Romans 8:28-30, God gives a synopsis of His purpose in each of our lives. As we look at these verses, we will see how He works in all things for our good. This passage uses words like “called,” “foreknew” and “predestined;” therefore, we will take some time to try to understand these words in the context of God’s purpose for our lives.

Romans 8:28 is often quoted for its magnificent promise that God causes all things to work together for good. The full text of the verse is:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 ESV

From this verse, we see that the promise is for those who are called according to His purpose.

The first thing we will look at concerning God’s purpose for our lives is His calling. What does it mean to be called according to His purpose?

First, we will consider the word “called.”

In Romans 8:28, the Greek word Paul uses is “κλητοῖς” (kletois), and it means called or summoned and it is also used of invitations. In the Bible, we have a number of examples of people who were called by God. Abraham was called by God to be the Father of those of like faith. Moses was called by God to lead God’s people out of Egypt. David was called by God to be the king of Israel. The Apostles were called by God to establish the Church. Each of these people was selected for a special task and for a special time. Paul speaks of himself as being “set apart” for the gospel (Romans 1:1). We see in these examples God’s call for a special purpose.

In other places, the Bible speaks in terms of an invitation. In His story of the King who gave a banquet, Jesus spoke of those who were invited to the banquet and used the word “called.” He concluded by saying, “Many are called but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14, ESV) This shows the call as an invitation. As an invitation, the call has gone out into the entire world for all people everywhere to accept Jesus Christ as Savior. Everyone is invited to come to Jesus for salvation. However, not everyone is called to be a Moses or a prophet or an Apostle. Therefore, it is important to distinguish what kind of calling we are talking about, an invitation or a calling for a purpose.

In his introduction to the book of 1 Corinthians, Paul says, “To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints ...” (1 Corinthians 1:2 ESV) In this case, the believers in Jesus Christ gathered at Corinth are said to be “called to be saints.” In the book of Ephesians, believers are encouraged to walk in a manner worthy of our calling. (Ephesians 4:1) From the example in 1 Corinthians and Ephesians, we can conclude that all believers in Jesus Christ have received a calling to be saints, or for a purpose.

If you are not yet a believer, God is calling you to be saved. This is an invitation. Jesus said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'” (John 7:37-38 ESV)

If you are a believer, God is calling you with a purpose, to be a saint. In Romans 8:29 the purpose is stated: “...to be conformed to the image of his Son...”

Could a misunderstanding of this calling be what is holding you back from pursuing God’s purpose for your life? Have you realized that this is His calling and purpose in your life?

For each person, this purpose will be worked out in different ways. In other words, each of us is in a different set of circumstances at any given time. In order to understand this, we need to consider the word predestined and what it means.

Romans 8:29 says:

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. (Romans 8:29 ESV)

The first thing we see in this verse is that those He foreknew, He also predestined. This is hard to understand in the sense that God knows everything and He knows everybody. However, Scripture makes it clear that not everyone will be saved. Therefore, this foreknowledge shows that it is somehow related to the predestination and goes beyond the knowledge of facts or details. Relationship is also referred to as “knowledge.” There is much Scriptural evidence for God establishing His relationship with His people before they are born. Psalm 139 is a good example where it says:

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. (Psalms 139:16 ESV)

Another example is God’s calling of Jeremiah as a prophet. In Jeremiah 1:5, He says:

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5 ESV)

God knew Jeremiah in the sense of relationship. God knows every fact and detail about every person. However, He is implying knowledge that goes beyond the details of Jeremiah’s existence. Therefore, we can assume He is talking about relationship. We find this knowledge of relationship in the New Testament when it says:

But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. (1 Corinthians 8:3 ESV)

This relationship is decided beforehand by God. The Greek word used in Romans 8:29 for “predestined” is “προώρισεν” (prohorisen). “προώρισεν” is made up of two words: “pro” which means “before,” and “horizo” which means to set boundaries or limits. Therefore, it is translated to foreordain or predetermine.

According to Romans 8:29, what God has predetermined for those whom He foreknew is that they should be conformed to the image of His Son. This is why we know, as Romans 8:28 tells us, that God causes everything to work together for our good.

If we consider the life of Moses as an example, we will see that he did not receive his special calling until He was 80 years old. However, God was at work in Moses’ circumstances and life from before he was born. Moses was called according to God’s purpose; therefore, God worked in his circumstances.

Predestination is a topic that has not been agreed upon since before Jesus was born. As a teaching and as a subject, predestination has a long history. Controversy usually centers on the subject of free will.

Do we have a choice?

The Bible ends with an invitation. It says:

The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. (Revelation 22:17 ESV)

This invitation is for anyone who desires to come. In Joshua 24:15 it says:

“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15 ESV)

In this verse, there is a clear call for the people to make a choice.

Here again, let’s use Moses as an example. He was called by God to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. He was used by God to give the Law, and yet he was not able to enter into the Promised Land because he chose to disobey God.

We are called upon to choose, we have choices to make and we are held responsible for our choices. We should not think that predestination and free will are mutually exclusive. Although we cannot explain or understand how this works, the Scriptures teach both.

Trying to force the either/or can be a source of error. For example, we cannot say God is either One or He is Three. He is both One and Three. Another example is the person of Christ. We cannot say He is either God or man. He is both God and man.

In Philippians, we have two verses that seem to teach opposites right next to each other. Philippians 2:12-13 says:

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13 ESV)

Here in these verses we are instructed to work out our salvation with fear and trembling for the very reason that it is God who works in us, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. An either/or mentality will not work here. This calls for a both/and approach.

In Romans 8:29, it says that God predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son. This comes in a chapter that calls on us to walk by the Spirit so that we can put to death the deeds of the body (Romans 8:13), and it comes right after a verse that tells us the Spirit helps us to pray according to God’s will. In other words, this was written to give us hope and courage in a world that is under the control of our enemy and in which we suffer. God’s predestination of us should give us courage to pursue God’s purpose for our lives.

What is keeping you from pursuing God’s purpose for your life? Look at the certainty with which Romans 8:30 speaks of our future.

And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:30 ESV)

Romans 8:18 says that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us, and here in verse 30 it speaks of those glories as if they already are revealed in us.

Scriptures contain much instruction for us to be holy as God is holy, to be imitators of God as beloved children and to walk in a manner worthy of our calling. However, we are not saved by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to God’s mercy.

God’s purpose is for us to be conformed to the image of His Son, but this is worked out in different circumstances for each one of us. Sometimes our circumstances are hard to understand and at times our way lies through paths of suffering. This is why God gives us the encouragement that He works all things together for the good of those who are called according to His purpose. In light of God’s purpose, the knowledge of God’s predestination is there so that we can have courage and never give up hope.

Jesus serves as an example of this. Isaiah 53 speaks in the past tense while it prophesies of things that were at the time in the future. This is because as Acts 4:28 says, God had determined beforehand that these things should happen. It was confidence in the Father’s plan that gave Jesus the courage and the strength to go through the Garden of Gethsemane. Confidence in God’s purpose and plan for us will give us the courage to take up our cross daily and follow Him.

Perhaps this is what has been holding us back from pursuing God’s purpose for our lives, a lack of courage because our faith is weak. Each person must answer what is holding him or her back. God has given us each the confidence that we need to courageously pursue His purpose for our lives.

The Spirit Helps Us in Our Weakness

Romans 8:26-27

²⁶Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. ²⁷And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27, ESV)

“Likewise,” means in the same way.

In the same way as what?

Our salvation is great and glorious. The God of the universe, creator of all things, because of His great love for us, has given His only begotten Son, in order to both pay for our transgressions and to give us eternal life. In addition, He has given us His Holy Spirit, so that the very power that raised Jesus from the dead dwells within us. By the power of this Spirit and because of His grace, He has freed us from the law of sin and death. As a result, there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Although we enjoy this great salvation, we are not yet perfect. In other words, we still sin, we still have diseases and this physical body will die. Romans 8:23 explains:

And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:23 ESV)

Why do we groan inwardly? In order to understand that, we must look back to Romans 8:20, where it says the entire created order was subjected to futility, and we are part of creation. It is as part of creation that we experience pain, suffering, disease and death. Therefore, we wait; we eagerly wait for the completion of our salvation when all things will be made new. A new body, a new heaven and a new earth are all part of our great and glorious salvation. Since we do not yet enjoy these new things, we wait in eager anticipation, and we groan inwardly as part of a creation that has been subjected to futility.

In our groaning, the Spirit helps us. Throughout the eighth chapter of Romans, we see the Holy Spirit at work. In Romans 8:2, the law of the Spirit sets us free. In Romans 8:11, the Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead dwells within us. In Romans 8:15, He is called the Spirit of adoption by which we call out “Abba! Father!” We have received the “firstfruits” of the Spirit, and the Spirit gives a foretaste of what is to come.

When Romans 8:26 tells us, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness,” it is pointing out that in the same way the Spirit helps us in all things, He helps us in our weakness. Now, we need to look at what is meant by the word help and the word weakness.

First, it is encouraging to look at the word used for help in Romans 8:26. The actual word is “συναντιλαμβάνεται” (sunantilambanetai) here is the definition:

properly, to give assistance with full initiative because closely-identified – supplying help that exactly corresponds to the need.

[Note the prefixes: /sýn ("closely identified with") and /antí ("corresponding") which each nuance the root (/lambánō, "aggressively lay hold of").^[1]

This word occurs only twice in the New Testament, and looking at its other occurrence will help us to understand its meaning. In Luke 10, it is used in the story of Mary and Martha. When Jesus visited their home, Martha busied herself with preparations for a big meal. Martha was greatly troubled with much to do. While Martha was frantically working, Mary was placidly sitting at Jesus’ feet listening. Martha went to Jesus and said, “Master, tell my sister to come beside me, take hold of some of the work and help carry the load!”

That is what this word means, and that is what the Holy Spirit does for us. He comes beside us and takes hold of the load with us and gives help. However, this is not all the Holy Spirit does for us. As I have already pointed out, the Holy Spirit does many things for us and in us. In John 3, we learn that it is by the Holy Spirit that we are reborn. In John 16, we learn that the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin and the coming judgment. In the Epistles, we learn that the Holy Spirit gives us gifts for the building up of the Body of Christ.

When Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit in John 16, He said:

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:7 ESV)

The word that Jesus uses in this instance is a completely different word from the word we looked at from Romans 8:26. The word translated “Helper” or “Comforter” in John 16:7 is “Παράκλητος” (parakletos) and means helper in the sense of counselor or lawyer. Therefore, along with helping carry the load, He is our comforter, our counselor and our teacher.

In addition, Romans 8:26 says, “...helps us in our weakness.” What is meant by this word “weakness?” The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. Romans 8 begins by explaining that the law could not save us because of the weakness of our flesh. It continues by telling us that living according to the flesh leads to death. The flesh is weak. Verse 18 speaks of our suffering. Suffering points out our weakness. We are powerless in the face of age that slowly erodes our strength and diseases that afflict us. We are powerless in the face of sin and unable to save ourselves. In all these things, the Holy Spirit helps us. Romans 8:26 defines our weakness as “For we do not know how to pray as we ought.”

This is our weakness in a nutshell. We do not know how to pray as we ought. There is a proper way to pray. But, it is not in form. It is not in memorized prayers. It is not in posture. The way to pray is reflected in the end of verse 27 that says, “... the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” The Spirit prays as we ought to pray and that is according to the will of God.

Jesus told us to pray like this:

Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (Matthew 6:9-13 ESV)

Jesus tells us to pray for God’s will to be done. Here is where we need to have confidence in God, because we need to know that God is good. We can trust Him. Romans 8:28 takes us here when it says:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 ESV)

This verse assures us that God is at work for our good.

Prayer is the means by which we express our requests and desires to God. When I was a child there was a day, I mean literally a day, that I prayed earnestly for a pet monkey. Now, as an adult, I am glad for the monkey’s sake and for mine that I did not get the monkey. I did not know what was good for me nor did I understand the implications of my request. This is an obvious example of a childish and foolish request. Many requests that we make are neither childish nor foolish. We pray for many serious things. We pray for life and death matters. We pray for healing of a loved one. We pray for financial situations and family problems. Our weakness is that we do not know what we need in each of these situations. We know what we want. We have many fears and anxieties, and we may think we know what is best. However, we are weak. God says:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV)

God always works for our good. However, what I think I need may not be good from God’s perspective. He knows all things. He knows the end from the beginning. Therefore, only He knows what is truly for our good. Our weakness is that not only do we not know all things, but our flesh also deceives us and we ask for selfish or self-centered things, or we ask with wrong motives. This is where the Holy Spirit helps us. This is why the text says, “... the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26, ESV) His groaning implies that He feels the pain and the urgency of our situation. He is not insensitive to the pressures and strains we feel.

What is more, the text says the Holy Spirit’s groanings are too deep for words. Have you ever felt like no one understands, cares or knows what you are going through? We are often trapped into feeling alone, but this is a trick of the devil. A believer in Christ is never alone. We all have deep emotions that go beyond our ability to express or put into words. The Spirit intercedes for us based on our deepest needs.

Romans 8:27 says:

And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:27 ESV)

This phrase “he who searches hearts” refers to God. Psalm 139 speaks of God searching our hearts when it says:

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. (Psalms 139:1-4 ESV)

God the Holy Spirit knows our thoughts and what we are going to say before we say it. He knows our deepest thoughts, desires and concerns. He knows what we truly need. It is this intimate knowledge of our inner working that is the basis for His deep intercession for us.

God is working for our good. This is why James 1:2-4 says:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4 ESV)

God is working so that we may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Do not make the mistake of thinking that Romans 8:28 is saying that all things are good. In this fallen, sinful world, many bad and evil things happen and exist. And, do not make the mistake of thinking that Romans 8:28 promises good to everyone. The text explicitly says that God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

The key is to understand that when we accept Jesus as our Savior we are given the right to be children of God. We are His children. As His children, we are confident that God works at all times and in all circumstances for our good, not just what seems good to us but for our true good. A passage similar to James 1:2-4 is Hebrews 12:5-8.

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. (Hebrews 12:5-8 ESV)

In everything that happens, God treats us as His children. He desires that we grow up in Him and become mature and complete. Part of the meaning of working all things for our good is His discipline and training of us.

All who accept Jesus Christ as Savior are partakers in a great and glorious salvation. The Holy Spirit dwells within us and helps us in our weakness, interceding for us because we do not know how we should pray. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, let this be your confidence and hope. Do not be shaken by trials, troubles and uncertainty. It is this confidence that will allow you to face various trials with joy, not a “yippee this is fun” joy but a confident settled hope in the Lord.

Commit this verse to memory in whichever version you choose:

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6 KJV)

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^[1] http://biblehub.com/greek/4878.htm. Accessed July 11, 2018.

Hope

Romans 8:18-25

“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT)

According to Scripture, hope will last forever, along with faith and love.

In Isaiah 40:31 the Scriptures say:

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 KJV)

“But they that wait upon the Lord” is sometimes translated “hope in the Lord,” and at other times translated “trust in the Lord.” Hope and faith are tied closely together. The dictionary defines hope as:

...to cherish a desire with anticipation: to want something to happen or be true

...to trust

The Christian cherishes a desire with anticipation for the return of Christ. We also trust that this will happen, not in a “wishing it to be true” sort of way. Rather, we anticipate it and hope in it because we have great confidence that it is true.

This world attacks our hope in many ways. Doubt and uncertainty are our enemies. Our loved ones are attacked by disease. Family members die. Pain and suffering are a part of every life. In the midst of these attacks, it is essential that we do not lose hope. Hope gives courage to face our challenges, and strength to overcome obstacles.  Hope bolsters up weak hearts and encourages the weary. Hope strengthens weak hands and straightens bent backs.

Romans 8:18-25 teaches us about the hope of the believer.

In Romans 8:18-25, we see our need for hope and the content of our hope.

First, we will examine our need for hope.

Put quite simply, we need hope because we suffer.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:18 ESV)

Romans 8:18 speaks of “the sufferings of this present time.” The fact is we suffer. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble.” (John 16:33) The song from the 1970s said, “I never promised you a rose garden along with the sunshine. There’s got to be a little rain sometimes...” Suffering is something that everyone experiences, although not everyone experiences suffering the same in quantity or quality. 

As believers in Jesus Christ, we can speak of two types of suffering. One type of suffering is in this world because of sin. Because we are sinners, all humanity experiences death, disease and the consequences of what is called the Fall. Believer and unbeliever alike suffer the effects of this type of suffering.

Another type of suffering is experienced by believers alone. As believers in Jesus Christ, we suffer persecution for the name of Christ. I am not saying no one else suffers persecution. However, the persecution others may suffer is not for the sake of Christ. This changes the meaning and the content of the suffering. Jesus said:

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12 ESV)

For the unbeliever, this present age is the best they are going to get. For the Bible promises:

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment... (Hebrews 9:27 ESV)

So, we know that judgment is certain, However, God sent His Son into the world to save us from the coming judgment. Therefore, John 3:36 warns us:

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (John 3:36 ESV)

We must understand the dividing line revealed in this coming judgment in relation to our suffering. For the one who chooses to pay for their own sins by rejecting the free gift of God, life will end and lead to even more suffering, and that suffering will be eternal. It will have no end. For the one who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, this life will end and lead to life everlasting. It too will never end.

For the believer, “the sufferings of the present time” become “light and momentary.” (“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,” 2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV)

Indeed, in light of eternity, what comparison can there be between our short lives here on earth and the never-ending life to follow?

I do not want to diminish the reality of the pain, anguish and torture both physical and emotional that is implied in the fact of our suffering. Indeed, the Greek word translated “suffering” in our English Bibles means:

the capacity and privilege of experiencing strong feeling; felt, deep emotion, like agony, passion (ardent desire), suffering, etc.^[1]

Notice that this definition uses the word privilege in describing our ability to experience strong emotions. This points to the fact that the very capacity that allows us to experience the ecstasies of love and passion has been turned against us by sin to cause us grief and pain. However, for the believer in Jesus Christ, suffering is not all bad. Suffering can be of redemptive value. As discipline from the hand of a loving Heavenly Father, suffering can serve to make us complete in Him. As suffering for the name of Christ, it can help to fulfill Christ’s mission on earth to reconcile all creation to Himself.

Romans 8:20 tells us that all of creation was subjected to futility. The Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes explores the futility of life. Another word for futility is “vanity,” or even better “emptiness.” This futility and emptiness is such that the entire creation groans as if in the pains of childbirth.

Notice also that Romans 8:20 says that the creation was subjected to futility against its will. Now, we know that inanimate objects cannot have a will like we do. However, they have a purpose. Because of sin, they are subjected to a situation in which they cannot function according to their purpose or design. This is why when the Bible speaks of God restoring the order of nature, it says:

The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. (Isaiah 11:6 ESV)

While I have been talking about suffering, I have continually been referring to things that give us believers hope. Our need for hope is so tied to our suffering that this is almost unavoidable. The world has been subjected to futility and we see this best when we consider suffering. This is why we need hope. Hope is what gives meaning to our suffering and imbues it with purpose. Hope replaces futility, or hope fills the emptiness.  Without hope, our suffering would be unendurable and meaningless.

For the person who has not yet put their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, there is but one hope, and that hope is found in Jesus Christ. The believer also has his or her hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our need for hope is best shown in our suffering. Now let us consider the content of our hope.

Again, referring to Romans 8:18, we see that it says:

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:18 ESV)

The content of our hope is contained in the phrase “...the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Verse 19 speaks of “...the revealing of the sons of God.”

We believers are promised many great and glorious things in the gospel. The everlasting life promised to everyone who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ is not just a continuation of an existence like the existence we have here and now. It is life as God created it to be. As I pointed out previously, our ability to experience passion, strong emotion and love are tremendous gifts that have been turned against us by sin. When sin is removed, there will be no more pain or suffering, but the ability to experience strong emotions will be put to its full and intended use. Imagine with me the pleasure of a cool glass of orange juice, the sweet cool tanginess as you enjoy swallowing this treat, and now realize that in heaven there will be pleasure without pain. This is just one example of the glory that will be revealed to us. Eternal life is life as God created it to be, and it is life in His presence.

Romans 8:23 also speaks of the “...redemption of our bodies.”

Here again, it is important for us believers to realize that we are going to get a new body. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 says:

So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:42-44 ESV

Our new body will be a spiritual body. We do not know what that will be like, but we know that it is glorious. As 1 Corinthians says, “It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory.” We know that our new bodies will be free from the results of sin.

Romans 8:21 says that the creation will be freed from its bondage to corruption. We know that in this world everything tends to decay. Nothing is excepted. It is one of the laws of our physical universe that all things tend toward decay and corruption. Our bodies are no exception, but part of the hope of the believer is that our new bodies will not decay. Our new bodies will not grow old and break down. As a matter of fact, the whole creation will be made new and nothing will grow old and break down.

So we see some of the content of our hope in glory, eternal life, new bodies and a new creation. However, the world asks, where is the evidence of these things? As Romans 8:24-25 makes clear, hope that is seen is not hope at all. We do not see these things at all in the world around us.

However, there is a clue in verse 23. Verse 23 speaks of “...the first fruits of the Spirit.”  The Bible tells us:

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14 ESV)

For the believer, we have what is admittedly a subjective proof in the eyes of the world, but a certain confidence for us, namely, the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. So, although we do not see our hope, we have great confidence in our hope.

Although the Holy Spirit is the strongest guarantee for the believer, He is not the only evidence for our hope. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is objective evidence for our faith and our hope of the resurrection. The evidence is so strong historically that Christians, starting with the Apostles and continuing to this day, base their faith on the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul says:

And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. ... And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. (1 Corinthians 15:14, 17 ESV)

So, although we do not see our hope, we have strong reason to hope. We have the first fruits of the Spirit and we serve a risen Savior. There are other reasons for us to believe, but these two are enough to show us that we have reason for our confidence.

Seeing that we have such a great hope, we need to do what Romans 8:25 encourages us to do:

But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (Romans 8:25 ESV)

Hope gives us the strength to wait. Hope causes us to wait with anticipation, eager anticipation. Because of hope, we can persevere in spite of the suffering and discouragement we experience in the world.

Fix your hope firmly on the glory that is to be revealed to us. Keep your hope focused on hope in the Lord Jesus Christ!

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^[1] http://biblehub.com/greek/3804.htm. Accessed July 6, 2018.

Living in the Spirit

Romans 8:1-17

Our world is darkened by sin. Violence, murder, hatred and war abound. Even in our homes, there is violence. While we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, the child of God has been set free from the law of sin and death.

Although sin is at work in the world, the child of God has been redeemed, saved from sin. However, this does not mean that we do not sin, nor does it mean that our physical bodies do not die. It does not mean that we are free from the physical ravages of sin, such as pain and suffering. On the other hand, it does mean that we walk in newness of life. It does mean that we are new creatures in Christ.

Romans 8:1-17 speaks of this newness of life. These verses show us what it means to live as new creatures in Christ. Romans 8:1-17 shows us that we are called to live according to the Spirit. This calling shows up in three ways in which this newness of life affects us. These three things are:

1.       Verses 1-4 show us that we are freed from the power of sin.

2.       Verses 5-11 show us that we have the Spirit of God living in us.

3.       Verses 12-17 show us that we God’s children.

First, let’s consider what it means that we are set free from the power of sin.

Romans 8 starts out with a triumphant verse. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” What a joyful, triumphant proclamation! WE ARE FREE FROM CONDEMNATION!

However, this declaration of freedom from condemnation is not for everyone. This declaration of freedom from condemnation is for those who are in Christ Jesus.

To be “in Christ Jesus” means that we have put our faith in Him for salvation. This is an individual decision that everyone is invited to make. Every single person is invited to come to Jesus for salvation. Salvation is not dependent on church attendance, baptism, denomination or any other action taken by man. One must be born again, and this only happens by receiving Jesus Christ as Savior. Once an individual receives Christ, then he or she becomes part of the group defined by “those who are in Christ Jesus.” John 1:12 explains:

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, (John 1:12 ESV)

These “children of God” are “those who are in Christ Jesus.” Because of this connection to Christ Jesus, Romans 8:2 tells us:

For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2 ESV)

This “law of the Spirit of life” is a new principle that is at work in the lives of those who receive Christ Jesus as Savior. Before the point of salvation, there is a principle at work that is called “the law of sin and death.” We were all under that principle, under a curse. It happened at the Garden of Eden. In the Garden of Eden God told the man:

"You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." (Genesis 2:16-17 ESV)

From the time the man and woman ate of the fruit of that tree, the principle of death has been at work in every person born. This is why Ephesians 2:1-2 tells us:

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked... (Ephesians 2:1-2 ESV)

God gave the Law of Moses to make it clear that the law of sin and death is at work in all of humanity. Because of this law of sin and death, humanity can never save itself. God made this clear because He loves us. He did this to bring us salvation and to free us from condemnation. However, He first had to make this next principle clear. This is the principle of Romans 8:3.

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, (Romans 8:3 ESV)

The principle is that the law, weakened by the flesh, could never save us. The law is holy, just and good. However, because of the flesh the law cannot save us. In Christian circles, when we speak of legalism, we are referring to efforts to be saved by keeping the law. However, the law only saves us by pointing us to Christ Jesus. Romans 8:3 contains the wonderful truth that God sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh. He had a body like ours and He had flesh like ours. However, His flesh was free from sin, and, being free from sin, He was able to present Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. (Hebrews 10:1-10 contains a more detailed explanation of this sacrifice.)

Now, as it says in Romans 8:4, the righteous requirements of the law are fully met in us. Not because of any righteous works that we have done, but because Jesus has paid for all our transgressions. This is why there is no longer any condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. This is described as being free from the law of sin and death.

Having been freed from the law of sin and death, we also have the Spirit of God living in us. Verse 4 begins the transition to the discussion of the Spirit of God living within us when it alludes to “...us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

Verses 5-11 show us that we have the Spirit of God living in us.

Being freed from the law of sin and death opens the way for us to have the life giving Spirit of God within us.

Romans 8:9 says:

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. (Romans 8:9 ESV)

This makes it clear that a child of God is distinguished by having the Spirit of God. This is one way to know whether we are saved. The next section will deal with this when it says that the Spirit bears witness with our Spirit. However, at this point, the text is talking about living a life that pleases God, and verse 8 says that those who live according to the flesh can never please God. Our newness of life begins to show itself here. Before we were saved, we could not please God because we did not have the Spirit of God. Verses 5 through 8 show us the difference between those who walk according to the Spirit and those who walk according to the flesh. Verse 5 says those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, and those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. This then is the big difference, as in, what our minds are set on. Having our minds set on the things of the Spirit would seem to indicate that the habitual bent of our thoughts is toward the things of God continually. Indeed, the Scriptures encourage us to set our minds on things above.

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:2 ESV)

It is crucial for us as believers to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. It is important for us to set our minds on things above. However, a believer can live with a mind set on the things of the flesh. Now, if a person is a child of God, but lives according to the flesh, then we would not be able to tell the difference between this person and a person who is not a child of God. Because, they both would have their minds set on the things of the flesh. The flesh is hostile toward God, and therefore, it is contrary to the Spirit of God to live according to the flesh. It is for this reason that Ephesians 4:30 warns us not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God. It is possible for us as believers to walk contrary to the Spirit of God, and thus grieve the Spirit of God.

This is where verse 9 comes in:

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. (Romans 8:9 ESV)

This is a wonderful truth of deliverance for the believer.

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. (Romans 8:11 ESV)

The Power that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in us.

It is this power that enables us to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8).

It is by this power that we are reborn (John 3).

It is by this power that we are made new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Indeed, as 2 Peter 1:3 says:

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness... (2 Peter 1:3 ESV)

This incredible truth of God’s Spirit living within us leads us to the next truth of verses 12 through 17.

Verses 12-17 show us that we God’s children.

We are freed from the power of sin and we have the Spirit of God living within us. The full meaning of these two truths are found in this declaration that we are God’s children. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. (Romans 8:16)

Because of this truth, Romans 8:12 tells us we have an obligation.

As God’s children, we are obligated.

However, instead of telling us what that obligation is, this passage tells us what the obligation is not. Having been set free from sin, we are no longer obligated to live according to the flesh. This is part of the powerful life-changing truth of the Gospel. We are children of our Father who is in Heaven. According to Romans 8:15, by the Spirit that dwells within us we call Him, “Abba, Father.”

This is our obligation. We are obligated to live as children of our Heavenly Father. We are heirs with Jesus of the glories of the Father and as such, we are citizens of a heavenly kingdom. We are no longer obligated to live according to the desires and passions of our flesh.

When the Pharisees and teachers of religious law disputed with Jesus about their heritage, Jesus told them:

"If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:42-44 ESV)

“If God were your Father, you would love me...” This is consistent with what we learned from Romans 5:5, “...God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5 ESV)

Herein is the motivation behind true life change, not that we change ourselves as much as we are changed from the inside out. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15 ESV)

We are obligated, not to the law to abide by it, but to our Heavenly Father. We are bound by love to live as imitators of our Father. We love God because He first loved us and gave His one and only Son to pay for our sins. This leads us to walk in newness of life.

We are freed from sin and no longer obligated to live according to the dictates of the flesh. In addition, we have the Spirit of God within us, and the power that raised Jesus from the dead enables us to live according to that same Spirit. And finally, the Spirit of God living within us bears testimony with our Spirit that we are God’s children. By this Spirit, the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, and it is this love that motivates us to want to please our Heavenly Father in all things.

Living in the Spirit means that there is therefore now no condemnation.

Are you living in the Spirit?