Romans 8

Friday, 12 July 2013

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:14

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Note – If you’ve ever been curious about the Nephilim and the “sons of God” from Genesis 6,  here is a previous sermon which explains the meaning of those often abused verses. As it ties in with today’s verse, I’m including it for those who are curious – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9Cp30fPM5g
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The “sons of God” as applicable to the post-resurrection New Testament are those who have been adopted by God through faith in Christ. We are “born again” thus moving from Adam to Christ. This concept is alluded to on numerous occasions, but here are two from Galatians –

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:26, 27

“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” Galatians 4:4-6

The “sons of God” referred to in Romans 8:14 are no different. Being led by the Spirit refers to those who have received the Spirit. This is the “baptized into Christ” spoken of in Galatians 3:27. Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the sign of this son-ship. Being “led by the Spirit” is speaking of responding to the call of the Spirit – a call which is made to all who hear the message. Some follow the leading and some don’t. Those who do and accept Jesus as Lord are those who become sons of God. This will be evident in the next verses. It is He who leads to the call, and it is He who seals us when the call is made.

Life application: Have you accepted Jesus as Lord? If so, you are a child of God through adoption. Now it is incumbent on you to not “grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). As you allowed the Spirit to lead you to life in Christ, now allow the Spirit to lead you in your Christian walk.

Precious Heavenly Father, I have been blessed with so much – more than I deserve. Help me to remember this and not to feel exalted above others who have less and yet whom You love no less. Grant me the wisdom to use the blessings You’ve given me without haughtiness and with the heart to return a portion to You in gratitude for all You’ve given me. Thank You for hearing and responding to my prayer. Amen.

Thursday, 11 July 2013

For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13

One commentary concerning Romans 8:13 states: “This verse is perhaps the clearest, most concise statement of the way a person once in grace can lose his salvation.” (New Testament Study Bible).

One must come to the table already believing that the loss of salvation is possible in order to come to this conclusion. If the concept of eternal salvation is taught both explicitly and implicitly throughout the New Testament, then any verse which appears to contradict this must be taken out of context. This is the problem with coming to the Bible with presuppositions. It is also a problem concerning the nature and workings of God.

God doesn’t think as we do. His thoughts are immediate and intuitive, not discursive or syllogistic – within the framework of time (which He created). For a person to be sealed with the Spirit, the act must, by the very nature of God, be eternal in consequence. God cannot err and therefore it is impossible for Him to act against His nature or work against Himself. Further, if loss of salvation were possible because of sin after salvation, then no one would remain saved. God would be saving and then unsaving every person continuously as they re-received Christ and then sinned against Him. One’s ultimate state could never truly be determined. It is folly and it is unclear in thinking.

“For” refers to the conclusion of the previous verse – “We (meaning believers) are debtors, but not to the flesh.” We have been brought out of the body of death and are debtors to the One who brought us out. Therefore, the “for” is speaking of the state prior to this occurring. “For if you live according to the flesh (the life we were previously brought out of) you will die. But (in contrast to this) if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body (which actually occurred in you and which has now made you a debtor to the One who brought you out), you will live.

Though speaking in the present and future tenses in this verse, it is based on the past actions which were noted leading up to the “therefore” of verse 12. In other words, and as Albert Barnes so eloquently states, “No man can be saved in his sins. This closes the argument of the apostle for the superiority of the gospel to the Law in promoting the purity of man. By this train of reasoning, he has shown that the gospel has accomplished what the Law could not do – the sanctification of the soul, the destruction of the corrupt passions of our nature, and the recovery of man to God.”

This verse has nothing to do with a loss of salvation. Rather it has everything to do with what occurred in our salvation. “In Christ, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” This doesn’t give us license to sin, but it does cover the sins which we commit.

Life application: Time and time again we come to verses which appear to contradict each other. Jesus is said to be the Author of eternal salvation (Hebrews 5:9) and yet difficult verses cause us to be unsure of this. There are no contradictions in God’s word, just misunderstandings because of our own failure to fully research or understand a matter. Let us come to the Bible without presuppositions and when we come to a passage which is difficult, we need to evaluate it, not as a stand alone thought, but as part of a continuous stream of knowledge which is to be taken in proper context.

Glorious God! Because my time is short and my life is limited, I occasionally become impatient with the events around me. At these times, remind me that You haven’t forgotten my needs or desires. You already know the outcome and have figured in what is best for me, for those I encounter, and for the plan You are unfolding. Help me to remember this and to trust that my impatience is unnecessary. Amen.

Wednesday, 10 July 2013

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. Romans 8:12

“Therefore” is given as a summary of verses 9-11. Because of these things, “Therefore…”

After stating this he speaks to his audience, which includes us, as “brethren.” In this, he is showing the bond of family which is formed by the union with the Spirit who dwells in each person who has called on Christ. We are now in a familial relationship, one which continues in the language of believers around the world today – “Hello Brother Steve.”

Therefore, brethren, because of those things I just relayed to you, “we are debtors.” He then explains this in what may seem a rather unusual way. He says, “not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.” He uses a negative term to describe our debt.

This would be like explaining all of the good things somebody named Alex did for you by getting you off of drugs, and then turning around and saying, “You are a debtor (because of all these good things) not to Mark – to live and work for Mark.” Mark was your drug supplier and if you had stuck with him, then you would have eventually died, having given him what you own and in the end, thrown your life away as well.

This is what Paul is saying here. Therefore, we are debtors (as described to us in the preceding verses) – not to the one we once served. We are in fact debtors to God for the work of God in Christ. Through Christ in us, our body is dead because of sin, but our Spirit is alive because of righteousness. We are now truly alive in Christ. So why would we pay a debt to a dead body? It would make no sense. If we pay our debt to someone who is dead, then only death is the result. If we pay our debts to the One who lives in us, then the payment is accounted to that life.

This concept will be built on in the verses ahead and will culminate in some of the most glorious verses of the magnificence of life in Christ.

Life application: Believers in Christ are in a fallen body, but bear the sealing of the Holy Spirit; we are made alive in Christ. If existence implies a debt is owed, and it does, then who are we debtors to? Think it through – if our physical bodies are animated and yet dead, but our spirit is made alive in Christ, then to which should the debt be paid? We are debtors not to the flesh – to live according to the flesh, but to the Spirit – to live according to the Spirit. Let us think on this with every action we take.

Lord Jesus, You saved me from the pit and have set me in broad spaces. Now be with me as I learn Your word and endeavor to live according to its precepts. Help me not to misuse the intent of Your word, but to walk rightly and with pure doctrine. Lead me, guide me, and instruct me in the beautiful pages of the Bible. Amen.

Tuesday, 9 July 2013

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11

As noted in 8:10, the Trinity is seen in the verses we’ve been looking at. Throughout the New Testament, the Spirit is given different titles which complete the same tasks.

The Spirit of God dwells in us – Romans 8:9
The Holy Spirit dwells in us – 1 Corinthians 6:19
The Spirit of Christ dwells in us – Romans 8:9, 10
God the Father raised Jesus from the dead – Galatians 1:1
The Spirit of God raised Jesus from the dead – Romans 8:11

This isn’t intended to be an diversionary discourse on the Trinity, but here – along with several other key points in the New Testament, is a good spot to at least note this.

Having said that, we can now note the content of Romans 8:11. In this verse, Paul begins with “but.” This is given in contrast to the thought in 8:10 which said, “the body is dead because of sin.” Our bodies are fallen and as Paul notes elsewhere, “So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. … Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.” 1 Corinthians 15:42 & 50

Despite our corrupt and fallen bodies, we who have trusted Jesus are indwelt with the Holy Spirit. It is what Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 4:7 – “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” Like the precious oil which exceeds the value of the jar, the glory of the Spirit in us far surpasses the abasement of the mortal flesh in which He dwells.

Because this glorious Spirit has taken up residence in us, we have the absolute assurance that “He who raised Christ from the dead, will also give life to [our] mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in [us].”

The surety of Christ’s resurrection is found in us. The truth of eternal salvation is so evident from Scripture that if you attend in a church which teaches otherwise, it’s time to get up and move to a more sound home. Paul isn’t saying these words to confuse us, nor does God provide either confusion or waste of thought in His word.

Yes, our bodies are dead to sin, but they contain a guarantee (2 Corinthians 5:5) which is based on the surety of God’s word that they are sealed and will be given life which is truly life. Our mortal shall be clothed in immortality. Hallelujah!

Life application: If salvation isn’t eternal, then God made a mistake by sealing you with the Holy Spirit. God doesn’t make mistakes. Your salvation is eternal. When you call on Jesus and believe in Him and His work then you are on the glide-path to glory.

Heavenly Father, I may not be the greatest theologian in history, but I know my Lord and Savior is Jesus. Your word says that when I believed on Him, I received the Holy Spirit of promise – my Guarantee of future glory. I know, O God, that You don’t make mistakes and so I know that I am saved despite myself. Thank You, O God, for the assurances found in Jesus! Amen.

Monday, 8 July 2013

And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. Romans 8:10

“If Christ is in you…” This can mean nothing other than the doctrine of the Trinity. In verse 9, we read that we are not in the flesh but in the Spirit “… if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.” Then came the mentioning of “the Spirit of Christ.” Some, as noted, have tried to diminish the weight and intent of that by stating it implies “disposition” rather than “personhood.”

However, verse 10 clearly states “if Christ is in you.” This is an indwelling, not a disposition. These two verses, combined with verse 11, can mean nothing other than what the plain text shows. The Three are One because it is said elsewhere that God the Father raised Christ from the dead (Galatians 1:1).

Paul shows us that if in fact Christ is in us that our “body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” Our mortal bodies are dead. Disagreement does come over the phrase that our “body is dead because of sin.” But looking back over the previous chapters, it is certain that it is speaking of our life before Christ. We were unregenerate in our nature; fallen in Adam. This body of death is replaced with life.

We have died to Christ and, positionally, we are seated with Him now (Ephesians 2:6). Therefore, we are alive, and eternally so, because of righteousness. This is the imputed righteousness of Christ. He is in us, we are sealed, and therefore we are alive. This is what Jesus spoke of in John 3 and what He also meant in John 11:25, 26 – “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.”

Life application: In Christ, we are dead to sin. Sin no longer has mastery over us. But it can still afflict us if we allow it to. It is incumbent on each of us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling – not in the sense that we must merit salvation through works, but that we must work in the salvation we have been given to the glory of God and not according to the flesh.

Lord, the words of the Bible have meaning and they have importance. If I pick and choose what I wish to accept, then I have really rejected Your word. I can see that it is all or nothing, and so what I need is to know what applies to me according to the context given. This is my desire today Lord – instruct me through Your word so that I will rightly divide it, to Your glory. Amen.