Scroll down to see and play Audio.
Good morning my friends,
You know what it’s like at Thanksgiving Dinner time, when we need platters rather than plates, because there’s so much good food? Well that’s how I feel about Romans 8, and why we’re taking two days to walk through this wonderful chapter.
I hope you found yourself, yesterday, nearly overwhelmed with the good news of the first 1/2 of this great chapter. If for some reason you missed your time with us, I urge you to go back and take in what we experienced in yesterday’s “Walking with Jesus”.
For today, let’s gather around the table, pick up our silverware and start digging in to this feast Paul offers us, as the Holy Spirit led him in writing this chapter to the Christians in Rome. Verse 17 begins our meal today, as we consider the privileges and sometimes the pain of being adopted into God’s family as His children, and co-heirs with Jesus Christ.
Remember Jesus said to His disciples, on the night before He was crucified. “If the world hates you, keep in mind it hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, for I have chosen you out of the world… if they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also..They will treat you this way because of My name, for they do not know the One who sent Me…” (John 15:18-27)
As Christians in any part of the world “Walk with Jesus”, we are living counter-culture, we are light in the darkness, we are salt in decaying societies. (Matt. 5:13-16) And sometimes it hurts, as our world around us pushes back, resists, even rejects us, and our Jesus. Paul had experienced that many times in many places, remember? But look at his attitude in vs. 18: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
I see this from two perspectives. First the here and now… as the Holy Spirit of God empowers, comforts, strengthens, heals, restores, us in the face of persecution, even the horrific torture and death some Christians are facing in some parts of our world.
But then will come an even greater glory, as we are welcomed into the very presence of our Savior and our Sovereign God, surrounded by the angels of heaven and all who have preceded us there…and not just for a day or a week, but for the rest of time and eternity. Remember the old song: “it will be worth it all, when we see Jesus…”?
So no matter what you are facing my friends, take courage. I urge you to spend some time in the Psalms each day. I like to read the Psalm of the date, and if I have time, then add 30 and read that one, then add 30 more and read that Psalm. I love the Psalms, they are so real, so honest. No matter your emotions on any given day, you’ll find yourself in the Psalms… and you’ll meet God there!
You’ll notice in Romans 8:19-25 Paul speaks of the creation groaning in decay, just like us. When Adam & Eve invited Satan into Eden, as they believed him rather than God, everything changed. Even the perfect creation started to decay and crumble. Now, both we and all of creation, are waiting for the day God ends all evil and restores the perfection He had made. Paul is referring here to the miracle of the “new heaven and new earth” that is described in Revelation 21.
Next please notice vs. 26 & 27. One of the roles of the Holy Spirit in the life of a genuine Christian, is that He helps us pray, especially when we don’t know how to pray in the circumstances we are facing. Also, do you see “…the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” in vs. 27. What’s really interesting about this is… if you look ahead to verse 34 Paul writes “Who is he that condemns? 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.”
As we just read, persecution is intense, condemning, coming from someone or a government or organization opposed to Jesus. And it’s also condemning from Satan and his demons. But here, Paul tells us, our risen Lord Jesus Christ is in heaven, in the place of authority and victory, at the right hand of the throne of God, the Majestic Father, and Jesus is interceding for those being accused, persecuted, tempted here on earth. When you combine vs. 27 & 34 do you see BOTH Jesus and the Holy Spirit are talking to the Father for you and me in our time of need? Isn’t that great news? Remember that, the next time you feel the opposition of the darkness all around you, my friends.
Now verse 28 is probably one you’ve heard many times, maybe even memorized. How about we say it together, out-loud, ready? “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
Oh my that’s such good news isn’t it? As you look back in your life can you see how God has been working through all things, for your good and your growth, as you follow Jesus? It takes on even more power when you add the next two verses, 29 & 30. I hope you have your Bibles open and you can just immerse yourself in these verses for a while… we’ll see these truths again in other of Paul’s letters in days ahead.
Then Paul writes “What can we say in response to this? If God be 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 (Jesus), graciously give us all things?” These verses my dear friends, have been the buoys which have kept Christians and especially missionaries afloat, in the turbulent storms of life, the persecution, the loneliness far from family, the extreme difficulties many faced, especially in generations past. Oh I urge us all to dig deeply and own for ourselves, these great verses of assurance of God’s power and presence, His majesty and mercy, His faithfulness and forgiveness, His sovereignty and supremacy, love and His listening ear always available to us.
And finally those closing, powerful words… “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? NO, in all these things we are more than conquerors through HIM who love us.” You and me, my friends, more than conquerors, regardless of the battles of life in which we find ourselves… Jesus is with us in the struggles and He is the ultimate Victor, amen?
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers… nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” I have to ask… do you believe that? Do you really believe that NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING can separate you from “…the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”? Paul wrote this with the scars on his body from beatings, stonings, and hard times that we cannot imagine. Yet do you hear not only the deep conviction, but even the joy in his words?
I see him pacing as he dictates it to his scribe, with his right fist clenched pounding the point into his open left hand, and then lifting both arms up in great victorious celebration to God for the power of God He has experienced in so many very difficult times. This my friends is our hope too… our confidence… if Jesus is truly your Savior and Lord! Oh I hope you’ll immerse yourselves in these great verses, no matter whatever difficulties you may be facing right now. Lift your hands in praise, find some great worship music and praise Jesus!
Here’s a suggestion: Collingworth Family: “If it matters to you, it matters to the Master”
Attachments area
Have a comment or question about today’s chapter? I’m ready to hear from you, contact me here.
Pastor Doug Anderson 262.441.8785
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)
Archived back issues of “Walking with Jesus” and other resources are available by clicking here to open our ‘home page’ (or go to HOME at upper right of this page).
Share with friends. Subscribe below for daily “Walking with Jesus”.