November 22 – In The Same Way

“Likewise 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” - Romans 8:26 (ESV)

Sometimes each of us struggle with knowing just how and what to pray for. Our circumstances can be overwhelming and we can be at a lost in our need to cry out to God for help. One of the last promises Jesus made to His disciples was that he would send a helper. That promise is fulfilled through the Holy Spirit sent from God our Father. All who have believed in Jesus as their Savior and Lord, and we hope that this is true of you, have the Holy Spirit in their lives. In this verse today, God explains what is going on while we are praying. The Holy Spirit is helping us to pray by praying with us to our Heavenly Father. To start with, we really don't know in ourselves how we should pray. We do know that if we ask the Holy Spirit to guide us He will impress on our hearts things to pray for and even how to pray. As we pray we can trust the Spirit to pray with us and we can depend on Him. We can also trust that God will hear and answer our prayer.

 

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October 26 – There Is Nothing Whatsoever

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39 (NASB)”

 

An in-depth study shows us that this subdivision of Romans, chapters 5-8, ends just as it began. The same reference is made to “God through our Lord Jesus Christ” and “the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 5:1, 8:39). Paul references four pairs of things plus two more powers which are individually mentioned.

•     neither death nor life:  we cannot be separated in our life and even death won’t bring about any divorce between God and the believer.
•    nor angels nor principalities: all angels, whether good or bad, real or imagined, (principalities are fallen angels or demons) are unable to separate us from the love of God in Christ.
•     nor things present nor things to come: present circumstances or a foreboding future—can do nothing to separate us from the deep love which God grants us.
•      nor height nor depth: even distance of space fails to separate us from God’s love,
•      nor powers: this refers to miracles or to persons in positions of authority.
•    nor any other created thing: in case anything or anyone might be left out, nothing created, even oneself can cause separation between God and the believer.

 

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October 25 – It’s Unbreakable

“Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”  “–  But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” -  Romans 8:35,37 (NASB)

Paul asks another rhetorical question, to say “no one will ever be able to separate us from the love Christ has for us.”  This is not our love for Christ but Christ’s love for us. In  verse 37 Paul emphasizes that we have the victory, because we have conquered each of the threats “through Him who loved us.” The word translated ‘tribulation’ in the version we use here is also translated ‘affliction.’ In fact this Greek word means ‘persecution, affliction, and distress. Friends, each of these threats are real matters in the lives of those who believe in and profess Jesus as their Lord and Savior. This is not simply Paul spouting philosophical concepts. No, for if we read 2 Corinthians 11:23-29 we find Paul had already suffered the first of these seven hardships before he took to writing this letter* to Christians in Rome who were facing them as well. The apostle was speaking not only by inspiration but also from experience, therefore, when he stated that none of these things can bring about separation between believers and their Lord. He knew what he was saying!* Nothing exists that can separate us from God’s love. It is unbreakable!

 

*William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, New Testament Commentary, (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 12-13:291.

 

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October 24 – No Condemnation, Intercession Instead

“Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.” – Romans 8:33-34 (NASB)

 

The setting can be visualized as being in the divine courtroom. Those charged are “God’s elect.” It is impossible, to avoid that each believer is elected (chosen) by God for salvation. Also each person must believe and is held responsible if they do not. Yet our election by God does not stop the charges brought by our enemy Satan. We already stand justified for each charge. Justified by the one who justifies and who is also the one who condemns those who will reject God to their end. If we who believe were due to be condemned it would be by Christ Jesus. Jesus intercedes on our behalf and the charges are dismissed. But according to Colossians 2:14, when Jesus was killed on the cross, he also nailed all charges for all believers to that cross by His death. When we are condemned, He steps forward and intercedes for us because Jesus holds the debts and paid for them all.  He is the only one who can intercede successfully. Romans 8:1 tells us that for each person in Christ Jesus there is no condemnation because Jesus has already paid the penalty for every charge the enemy can bring.

 

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October 23 – Nothing To Say, He’s Said It All

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” -  Romans 8:31–32.” -  (NASB)

 

We’re continuing to consider promises we find in Romans 8. In particular Romans 6-8, the promises God has made abound and overflow. So much so we often pass by because the passages are so familiar. It’s  the “we’ve heard it all, what else is there?” habit of thinking we know all there is to know.  Paul is wrapping up his teaching about the believer’s security in Christ with a culmination of questions and answers for the concerns we might still have about those who challenge our faith. The result is a delivery of praise for God’s grace in bringing salvation to completion for all who are chosen and believe. “If God is for us,” is better translated, “Since God is for us.”  Paul asks, “Would God do less for His children than He did for His enemies? The word “freely give” means “to bestow out of grace.” Paul may be using it to mean forgiveness and maybe intended that here.  The words “all things” may mean whatever is necessary to complete the purpose He had in choosing us. Or if ‘freely give” is translated “forgiveness”  then “all things” may refer to every sin the believer commits.

 

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October 21 – The Promise Chain of Salvation

 “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.  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 8:29-30 (NASB)

Some commentators and theologians call this the “The Salvation Chain” but we call it “The Promise Chain.” Promises every faith believer can trust and cling to. These days we might have a difficult time knowing just what to believe. The dishonest media, the nefarious social justice erroneously labeled “woke” invades our lives without warning. It has conceited confidence that it is correct and right.  It isn’t. Being unsettled, worried, anxious about our future need not overwhelm our lives with fear of the future. We may not believe we will ever see the world the way we want it to be. But we can know our glorification, our justification, our calling by God to become his children is certain and permanent. God planned us to be conformed to the image of his Son, Jesus the Anointed. He is the preeminent one, the only rightful heir of God who has adopted us and made us co-heirs with Christ.  God our Father knew before the foundation of the earth that He would choose us to be conformed to the image of His Son; so He marked out, appointed, and determined beforehand that we be justified now and eventually glorified.    

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October 20 – Called According To Purpose

“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)

 Our selected verse today is a kind of summary of the promises in Romans 8:1-27. We can fully understand if we view it in light of these verses.

•  For all who are in Christ Jesus there is now no condemnation (verses 1–8).
• All are indwelt by that Spirit who will even raise their bodies (verses 9–11).
• They are assured that they are God’s children, and his heirs (verses 14–16).
• Present suffering for Christ promises one day they will share his glory (verse 18).
• The new heaven and earth are promised and with groaning are looked forward to (verses 19–22).
• They also groan as they eagerly await their promised adoption (verses 23–25).
• In all their weaknesses the Holy Spirit helps them always interceding for them in harmony with God’s will, (verses 26, 27).

 This is in the providence of God which is his purposeful sovereignty by which He will successfully achieve his ultimate goal for the universe. God’s providence puts his plans into action, guides all toward his definitive goal. God sovereignly superintends every event in a believer’s life—even suffering, temptation, and sin—to accomplish our temporal and eternal benefit.

 

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October 19 – Groaning With Anticipation

“For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.” – Romans 8:22-23 (NASB)

There’s an interesting word in today’s selected verses and it’s good for us to understand its meaning as intended by the Apostle Paul writing this letter under the guidance and inspiration of the Spirit of God.  The word ‘For’ in verse 22 introduces what we might call “Three Groanings.” These of creation (v.22), of ourselves (v.23), and of God’s Spirit (v.26). We are discussing our ‘future glory’ and not ours only but that of all creation. First Paul compares the earnest longing and eager forward looking of creation to the groaning of a woman who is in the process of giving birth to a child. It is important to recognize that such groaning, which indicates suffering and pain also promises hope.  Although possessing a promise of the first fruits of the Spirit we still are looking forward and even reaching out for the fulfillment of even more precious promises. Let’s look at it this way, Since we already have the Spirit abiding in us with all He has promised and provides, we are convinced that much more, is promised and in store for us. So, we therefore yearn eagerly to receive our adoption and redemption at His coming.

 

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October 18 – No Comparison

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.” – Romans 8:18-19 (NASB)

 

We considered briefly verse 18 of this passage yesterday.  But truly, there’s so much more in the way of promises to rejoice in. The BIG promise is that whatever difficulty, whatever conflict, whatever treatment we receive in our present lives because we have boldly spoken and stood for Jesus Christ and God our Father, it will never ever compare to the reward of glory that we will receive. We’re assured all will be okay and all wrongs will be made right. Now, we have a hope that will not let us down and a promise that one day it’ll be revealed in us. We’ll have what’s far beyond the pain heaped on us in this life. The suffering therefore doesn’t knock us down. Who’s the source and cause of our suffering? Isn’t it other people who do not by faith believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord? But our glory comes from God and there’s no comparison. Our suffering is of this world and our glory is of heaven. Our suffering is short and temporary, our glory is forever. What we suffer is light while our glory is substantial. Our glory promises total perfection of our personhood.

 

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October 17 – Suffering With Christ Produces Glory

“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” – Romans 8:16-17 (NASB)

 

Our verses today are packed with promises. First is the  promise that God’s Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. In Roman culture at the time Paul wrote this letter, for an adoption to be legally binding, seven reputable witnesses had to be present, attesting to its validity. God’s Holy Spirit confirms the validity of our adoption.[1] As children, we are heirs of God. We are promised that we will inherit eternal salvation (Titus 3:7), God Himself (Revelation 21:3), glory (Romans 5:2), and everything in the universe (Hebrews 1:2).[2] Proof of ultimate glory of faith believers is that we will suffer—whether it comes as mockery, ridicule, or physical persecution—because of our Lord and savior Jesus.  Because He suffered, we suffer. Because He's glorified, we're glorified. It's a long way from the peace-and -prosperity doctrine. Christianity is not escapism.[3] In verse 18 that follows our passage, Paul considers "that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

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[1] John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible., (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Ro 8:16.

[2] John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible., (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Ro 8:17.

[3] John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible., (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Ro 8:17.

 

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September 30 –God Leads His Own

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” – Romans 8:14 (ESV)

Decisions, decisions, decisions. We face the task of decisions daily. Small insignificant, even trivial decisions are made without being conscious of the effort. But the larger decisions which carry life changing impact are also part of the package that comes our way as human species. Unlike the animal kingdom, birds and fish, our lives are not directed or guided by instinct. We might say that we react instinctively but that is not truly instinct which is. “a largely inheritable and unalterable tendency of an organism to make a complex and specific response to environmental stimuli without involving reason.”* We faith believers in God are not led through subjective, mental impressions or promptings to provide direction in making life’s decisions—something Scripture nowhere teaches. Instead, God’s Spirit objectively leads His children sometimes through the orchestration of circumstances (Acts 16:7) but primarily through: illumination, which divinely clarifies Scripture to make it understandable to our sinful, finite minds (Luke 24:44, 45; 1 Corinthians 2:14–16); and sanctification, divinely enabling us to obey Scripture (Galatians 5:16-17; 5:25). When we experience the Holy Spirit’s leading in those ways, It gives us assurance that God has adopted him into His family.

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*“Instinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instinct. Accessed 28 Sep. 2022.

September 29 – No Condemnation

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death” – Romans 8:1-2 (ESV)

Our promise today is the endorsement we have that we have been set free from bondage to the law of sin and death. It helps immensely to first understand what the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 7:13-25a which proceeds our promise verse today. The word “therefore” means the result or consequence of the truth just taught. Normally it marks the conclusion of the verses immediately preceding it. But here it introduces the staggering results of Paul’s teaching: that justification is by faith alone on the basis of God’s overwhelming grace. This is an amazing freedom-giving promise and it is all because of what Jesus Christ has done for us. To follow God, we have to be free from slavery to sin and its penalty—that was just the beginning. To build on this foundation, we must actively submit to the Holy Spirit’s ministry in our lives. God’s indwelling Spirit enables us to be “saved by His life” (Romans 5:10); His life is lived out through us as His instruments for righteousness. The word “condemnation” refers to a verdict of guilty and the penalty that verdict demands but Jesus promises that He has permanently removed that verdict from our account. 

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*John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible., (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Ro 8:1.
*Steven E. Runge, High Definition Commentary: Romans, (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014), 138.

September 28 – Released To Freedom

“But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.” – Romans 7:6 (NASB)

Not freedom to do what God’s law forbids, Not freedom to live however we please to satisfy our fleshly desires, but freedom from the spiritual liabilities and penalties of God’s law. Yesterday’s verse declares that we “were made to die.”  The Greek construction of this verb emphasizes two important points: 1) this death happened at a point in time, with results that are complete and final; and 2) someone else—in this case God Himself—initiated this death (lit. “you also were made to die”). Because we died in Christ when He died, the law with its condemnation and penalties no longer has jurisdiction over us. Not a reference to the believer’s ongoing daily struggle with sin, but to a one-time event completed in the past. Because we are “in Christ,” and He died in our place (Romans 5:6–8), we are counted dead with Him. A new state of mind which the Spirit produces, is characterized by a new desire and ability to keep the law of God. It compares to the oldness of the letter which is any legalism, any external, understood or written law code that produced only hostility and condemnation.

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September 27 – God’s Promised Possibilities

“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.” – Romans 7:4 (NASB)

[Today, we use the term “Law” capitalized to mean God’s will and commandments on how we are to live in righteousness.] 

In the life of every person who has been saved by grace through faith, a gift of God, there was a time that all were accountable to obey the Law of God to earn righteousness. The Law threatens every person who cannot abide by God’s commands with death (Romans 6:23). With the Law as a lens through which we can filter and evaluate our actions, we have learned that the law is not the problem. The Law make clear our inability to gain righteousness by keep the Law and by obeying it.  For righteousness through our efforts keeping the Law is impossible. What then is the problem and why is our good effort to gain righteousness impossible? Sin is the problem. Sin has always been present, but we didn’t and don’t  recognize the degree to which it infiltrates our lives.  The Law exposes our sin of disobedience to God’s Law and is always our problem. “Therefore” we have this promise. Through the body of Jesus and His death, when we believe, then we receive freedom from the penalty of our sin, and are forgiven our disobedience. 

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September 21 – How To Obey

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” -  Romans 12:1 (ESV)

While the Bible places a strong emphasis on obedience, it's critical to remember that believers are not justified by obedience. Salvation is a free gift of God, and we can do nothing to merit it. True Christian obedience however, flows from a heart of gratitude for the grace and mercy we have received from the Lord and our response is the worship of obedience. The Greek word for “I appeal” or “I urge” springs from a root which means “to call alongside to help.” In Acts 24:4 it is “beg”; in Act s 27:34 “encourage.”  Jesus used a related word, “comforter” or “helper” in reference to the Holy Spirit. Here Paul was writing as a counselor with full weight of apostleship to his readers. In light of all the spiritual riches we believers enjoy solely as the fruit of God’s grace and mercies, it follows that we owe God our highest form of service which is our act of worshiping God; an act of our spiritual service offered genuinely from our hearts. For those in Christ, our only acceptable worship is to offer ourselves completely in worship to the Lord our God.

 

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September 15 –Blood Shed For Us

“Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.” – Romans 5:9  (NASB)

In the fifth chapter of the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul wrote to faith believers in the city of Rome, confirming promises we have: 

1. The promise of a relationship of peace with God. 
2. The promise of grace, providing standing before God. 
3. The promise of hope that will never cause us to be disappointed. What He has said He will indeed do. 
4. The promise of God’s perfect love as it is poured out and into our lives. God’s love for us is eternal and permanent. 

Today in the ninth verse, a fifth promise. We are saved from the wrath of God as described for in Romans 1:18 is not an impulsive outburst of anger aimed capriciously at people whom God does not like. It is the settled, determined response of a righteous and just God against sin. Faith believers have been, are being, and will be saved from God’s wrath through Christ’s violent, substitutionary death. References to the blood of the Savior include the reality that He bled in His death. The term “blood” is used as a graphic way to describe violent death in our place.

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September 14 – Coming Upon Us In Abundance

“…and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. ” Romans 5:5-6 (NASB)

In verses 1 & 2 we’ve found three promises giving us assurance of security in God.  The justification which God granted to us by faith comes through the work of Jesus Christ. It’s also through Him that we are now standing in grace. This undeserved grace is given in a promise that gives us hope and cannot be broken.  Now, in verse 5, we read this confirmation, "Hope does not disappoint." God will never disappoint any who have hope in Him.  None who hope in Christ will ever be disappointed in eternity. How do we know this?  Because the love of God has been "poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”  Paul goes on to describe how helpless we were when at the right time, Christ died for us, the ungodly. This promise of love is the fourth link we have to our security in God. It speaks not of our love for God, but of God's love for us. His love is personal, and intimate. More than just bequeathing it, verse 5 says that he pours it out within our hearts.  Like a waterfall of love, He fills us with this love.

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September 12 – Peace and Access With Sure Hope

Therefore having been justified on the principle of faith, we have peace towards God through our Lord Jesus Christ;  by whom we have also access by faith into this favour in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God.– Romans 5:1-2 (DARBY)  Since we have considered these two verses over the past two days, today we look again in a different version of the Bible.

In the fifth chapter of Romans, we’ve already considered the first two verses mining for the promises God has given to us. For all who by faith believe that God the Father sent His Son Jesus Christ to live on earth in human flesh, God’s purpose was accomplished when after living a perfect life, without sin, Jesus was sacrificed on the cross while carrying the sins of the world. He paid in full the wages of sin (Romans 6:23). Everyone who believes in Him and repents, receives eternal life. So far we have noted two links which secures our eternal future. The Apostle Paul specifies two links securing our salvation; we have peace with God (v.1); we have access to be standing in grace (v.2). Also in verse 2 we find that we have a sure hope of glory. The third link, (v. 2) promises us access and hope, and standing in grace we make our boast in this hope of the glory of God. Our hope will positively not disappoint. It is amazing to recognize that this hope is ours. Proclaiming this hope we will never be ashamed for it is solid true.

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September 11 – Access to Overflowing Grace

 “...we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.” – Romans 1b-2 (NASB)

As we read yesterday, we have a relationship with God based on objective peace. We were brought into this relationship of peace through our Lord Jesus Christ and by no self-effort or work. And now, “through whom [that is Christ] also we have obtained our introduction by faith." Again, to be clear, our introduction, our access, to grace is by faith; and it's through Christ alone.  Everything is because of Him.  This truth is rich, it has boundaries which are untouchable and unreachable.  “Through whom” ⸺  Jesus Christ, ⸺ we have peace with God and through Him we stand in grace.  It’s because of Him. Peace with God is a first link and standing in grace is a second link to our security in Christ.  The key thought is that the intercession of Christ brings all this to us all.  Through Christ “we have obtained our introduction,” or literally, obtained our access (see NKJV).   The word “access,” here is translated in the NASB by the word ‘introduction,’  which in Greek means access, entrée. It is a word of epic importance. It's a staggering word. Through Christ alone we have access by faith into God's realm where grace overflows.

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September 10 – It’s An Objective Peace

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” -  Romans 5:1 (NASB)

Today’s verse, reveals an awesome promise for all who have by faith believed in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It’s awesome because it gives us assurance of forgiveness. That’s important because it's the foundation to our security in Christ Jesus.  "Therefore having been justified by faith."  That’s the premise: If we have been justified by faith, if we have been declared righteous through faith, in other words, if we have been genuinely saved, then we have laid the necessary foundation and we are held in that relationship eternally. Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God.  Now that is a very important thing for us to understand.  We have as a present possession peace with God. This is not talking about psychological tranquility.  It is not feelings of confidence or well-being.  It is not subjective at all.  It is not the kind of peace we feel or the kind of peace we experience.  It is talking about an actual relationship that can be defined as a relationship of peace. Before justification we had been at war, we had been the enemy of God, we are now at peace.

 

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