Romans 8 Has Everything We can Ever Imagine and Need Regarding the Christian Life

Life Through the Spirit

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Present Suffering and Future Glory

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And yet we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. 

More Than Conquerors - Victory in Christ

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? 

Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

*NIV

When your way of godly life seems to be unfairly changed...

His way is not our way... and sometimes we just can't get past our way of doing things, seeing things and hearing things as well as saying things. It takes time to adjust and believe the Word of God always has the answer.

Recently, my own 'way' or I should say my preferred order of things in terms of my morning 'ritual', as in... coffee, Bible and Family Radio, was interrupted as in dramatically changed in my view of things. What was changed? The programming on my favorite Christian radio had changed and instead of the voice of what I thought was a very godly voice in terms of providing daily scriptural reason/wisdom suddenly sounded like the voices of two teenagers leading a facebook conversation or chat forum.

To say the least, I was in panic mode. And, even at first, in pain seeking to understand what had happened. I wanted back the old voice, the one I preferred. But, then I remembered Jeremiah.

The Call of Jeremiah
But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am a youth,' Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak. "Do not be afraid of them, For I am with you to deliver you," declares the LORD. Then the LORD stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me, "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.…Jeremiah 1:7-9.

So, I should not be afraid of their voices or faces... for though younger, they may have been called to do the Will of the Lord! And this is what we must always pray for. For His way is not our way. Trust God in all things ~ Trust in Jehovah, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on his faithfulness.
~ Psalm 37:3 ASV

Words of Inspiration in a Fallen World!

If you learn to trust Me, really trust Me with your whole being, then nothing can separate you from My Peace. Everything you endure can be put to good use by allowing it to train you in trusting me. This is how you foil the works of evil, growing in grace through the very adversity that was meant to harm you. Joseph was a prime example of this divine reversal, declaring to his brothers: "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good."

Do not fear what this day, or any day, may bring your way. Concentrate on trusting Me and on doing what needs to be done. Relax in My sovereignty, remembering that I go before you, as well as with you, into each day. Fear no evil, for I can bring good out of every situation you will ever encounter.

Genesis 50:20; Psalm 23:4 ~ Sarah Young selection from, "Jesus is Calling".

Do not long for the absence of problems in your life. That is an unrealistic goal since in this world you will have trouble. You have an eternity of problem-free living reserved for you in heaven. Rejoice in this inheritance, which no one can take away from you, but do not seek your heaven on earth.

Begin each day anticipating problems, asking Me to equip you for whatever difficulties you will encounter. The best equipping is My living Presence, My hand that never lets go of yours. Discuss everything with Me. Take a lighthearted view of trouble seeing it as a challenge that you and I together can handle. Remember that I am on your side, and I have overcome the world.

John 16:33; Isaiah 41:13; Philippians 4:13 ~ Sarah Young selection from, "Jesus is Calling".

Worldly people ...who are they?

Worldly people like to think that they make the 'right choices'. They like to 'rub' shoulders with or surround themselves with other people/books/philosophies as if those things are the 'right or valued/praised by society things' that they think can or will get them ahead in this fallen world and or bring them favor in any regard. 

And, then when they seem to have success in that kind of thinking and or endeavor, (pleasing themselves by one's initiatives; i.e. he/she is my friend... look they are at my house, I go to their/that church/ we do this/that, and we can provide public account of our actions, I read that book and recommend that book or philosophy - I adhere to that kind of thinking and it has helped me), it 'their success' can be viewed as God's providence toward them but in fact is only their arrogance...

Worldly people look to the world... when someone says that in order to discipline ourselves and our children we should combine positive and negative behavior modifiers... they 'those people' are in the world. Especially if in that same statement they don't mention God Jesus Christ or His Word the Bible. It is truly sad that most have given up to the ways of this world, missing the true healing, forgiveness, the love and peace found in the Word of God!

You cannot serve two masters. If I am truly your Master, you will desire to please Me above all others. If pleasing people is your goal, you will be enslaved to them. People can be harsh task masters when you give them this power over you. If I am the Master of your life, I will also be your First Love. Your serving Me is rooted and grounded in My vast, unconditional Love for you. The lower you bow down before Me, the higher I lift you up into intimate relationship with Me. The Joy of living in My Presence outshines all other pleasures. I want you to reflect My joyous light by living in increasing intimacy with Me. ~ Jesus is Calling- Matthew 6:24; Revelation 2:4; Ephesians 3:16-17 and Psalm 16:11. Sarah Young

Is there a Lack of Faithfulness in Your Life?

Unfortunately, in many American lives and in Christian American lives, there is a lack of faithfulness. This can be observed in everyday conversations, in social media including most selected entertainment preferences, casual parenting, divorce rates, the education of gender identity and its politics.

There is a daily pursuit to acquire things... insisting on immediate gratification. Many well intended parents seek to send their kids to the 'right' schools, get them into all kinds of sports and or lessons of some sort. The agenda is to get them on the best team and in the right place at the right time.

There are more and more single parent families as we observe the decline of the 'nuclear' family with stay at home moms; rather, women are marching in demonstration against or even to say in rebellion toward the Almighty Creator and His intention for them.

Churches are turning into circuses...pastors standing on their heads so to speak to keep the church growing and bring in the youths. Or they preach a prosperity gospel as if God meant to promise everyone that they will have what they want when they want it here and now. Not true!

And tragically, the twisting of scripture so as not to hurt anyone's feelings...

Anyone can believe that God exists but it takes the mindset of Christ to have faith that God is the only One who holds all things together and that in Him we live, move and have our being. He has the con! Even in a fallen world, God makes all things good for His purpose in His time ~ Col 1:17, Acts 17:28.

God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end ~ Ecclesiastes 3:11.

Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture ~ Psalm 100:3.

Be still and know that He is God ~ Psalm 46:10.

Live and declare the works of the Lord ~ Psalm 118:17. Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future ~ Proverbs 31:25.