This is one of the greatest chapter of the Bible. If the Bible is a ring then Romans is the diamond on the ring and chapter 8 is the shine of the ring :-)
Why is this Chapter so great ?
Vv1. No condemnation for those who are in CHRIST JESUS.
Vv39. No separation
The verse in between says all things work together for good.
Jn 19:13 to 34 they pierced JESUS's side and blood and water came out !
The order blood and water
The blood = our position, who we are right now and the SPIRIT of GOD changes us progressively
CHRIST in me is the hope of glory !
Trust CHRIST - get used to listening to HIM - if you don't hear JESUS you will hear the enemy. (HIS sheep know HIS voice)
A person through life is like a ship on the sea - the boat rocks - then the journey ends - the ship is docked !
Romans 8 is the harbor and you find that you are in the hand of the Holy SPIRIT, our comforter.
GOD has a purpose for us - thats an eternal truth ! We can't be separated from GOD's love... There could be sin because of the wretched man that I am. Yet there is 'No' condemnation because we are in CHRIST !
Did you know that CHRISTians can fail and sin ? That's why Paul is saying that there is no condemnation...while we may suffer the consequences of sin. But the condemnation was put on CHRIST on the Cross !
Like Abraham, Moses and David, they were not condemned for their sin but they did suffer the consequences.The adultress woman was brought to JESUS. But HE said those of you who have never sinned throw the 1st stone. We know the story, they all let go of their stones, starting from the eldest to the youngest and turned around and went their way..JESUS asked her "has no one condemned you ?" She said "No one" He told her that neither did HE condemn her and to go and sin no more
A little boy and his father bought somethings and were ready to go. The shopkeeper said put your hand in and take as much as you can for free. He looked at his father. The shopkeeper insisted, but the child didn't make a move. The father then took the sweets out for his boy. He asked his son on their way back home... Why didn't you take any ? The little boy said 'because your hand is bigger'
Isn't that how our plans are in our own hands... but when we let our plans in GOD's hands its bigger!
We read through a letter of Paul and browse it... We need to approach it in meditation. People avoid reading Paul's letters because it takes effort. If you take the 17 'Fors' of Romans 8 you can have an extensive and intensive study.
We are not made for 80 years but for eternity... Because of what GOD did we will never taste
death we have a hope to see each other because of what GOD did !
Why could the law not do this ? Vv3 -- Because of the sin nature in me.
The law says love your neighbor... But the sin nature says I'll cause him trouble.
In Luke 1:11 what did the Angel tell Mary ? The power of the SPIRIT will be over you and you will conceive.
Vv4 (Gal 5:16, 18, 25) you will see these words Walk, Led, Live, Walk
Greek words used for the word 'walk' mean :
1. To conduct in the presence of the Holy SPIRIT
2. Led by the SPIRIT
3. LIVE by the SPIRIT
4. March in line with the Holy SPIRIT.
When you walk with someone like a best friend or spouse, people look at you and say they are walking together. That is like walking together with the LORD. When you are walking with HIM you are walking in step with HIM.
There are people who walk according to the flesh even after knowing the truth...Like Cain and Essau and Balam (money more important than ministry), Saul (popularity more important than obedience), Judas ( money more important than friendship)
There are few salts and few lights left on this earth. Like Isaac and Ishmael were always fighting, the SPIRIT and flesh are always in a fight with each other.
Lets take the example of 2 animals mentioned in the Bible - Pigs and Sheep.
The sheep likes clean, the pig likes the dirt.
The sheep eats from fresh,clean, green pastures, the pig eats from rotten, dirty gutters.
Like the raven and the dove - the raven likes the death
Flesh is like the raven tht likes the dead and the pig like the dirt.
Whr are we spiritually today ?
Am I like the pig or the sheep ??
Am I like the raven or the dove ??
The pig can sit in the dirt, and enjoy it. He has no idea that he can be clean like the sheep.
The Holy SPIRIT makes me like the sheep and the dove !
People ask how can I crucify the flesh ? There is only 1 way crucify your flesh...Only the Holy SPIRIT can ! Have this mind that is in CHRIST JESUS - set ur mind on things above - Let the Word of GOD dwell in you richly .
Exo 16 just 1 day of hunger and thirst gets them discouraged. They are free here but they are discouraged --- but in Egypt they were slaves and yet they miss it...Believers live like this fearful of the past and anxious abt the future and we let today go.
GOD gave them the freedom to fly but they wanted a foot in fetters ! That was the problem... Canaan and Egypt fall in the same valley but in 2 different directions. To go towards 1 we turn our backs to the other.
Our thinking affects us. The way you think abt urself and what GOD did with your life affects you... The Roman 8 life is possible only with the Holy SPIRIT
1. Change our thinking - not regretful thinking
2. Have faith in GOD's call and purpose for your life - little steps of faith
3. Trust the Grace of GOD - its for me, all for me.
There is fruit, more fruit and much more fruit !
Don't be conformed/ satisfied this with world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Phil 3:13 brethren I do not regard myself as having hold of it yet but 1 thing I do... Forgetting what lies behind and pressing towards what lies ahead :-) I press on towards the upward goal of my call in CHRIST JESUS. Its only when you press on that you find CHRIST !
Like the woman bleeding for 12 yrs and there was a crowd around JESUS as bad as the Virar train ! Yet HE knew she touched HIM. When we press on we will see CHRIST... The Holy SPIRIT is with me :-)
Zaccheus on a tree and JESUS noticed him. GOD wasn't going to ignore that effort. CHRIST comes to my house....
