Romans (Written)

Monday, 15 July 2013

…and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Romans 8:17

In Hebrews 1:2, Christ Jesus is said to be “heir of all things.” In Matthew 28:18, Jesus Himself states that “all authority” in heaven and earth has been granted to Him. He is the recipient of it all. The Lamb has triumphed and God the Father is pleased to bestow upon Him such glory. He is the Son of God and thus entitled to it all.

Today, Paul imparts to us a truth which is astounding in its weight and meaning for us. We can’t fully know it in our fallen bodies. We look to Jesus and understand His authority, right to rule, power, and glory, but understanding isn’t the same thing as comprehending. Our minds aren’t capable of grasping His greatness. And as awesome and glorious is His rule and place of authority, we are told that we shall participate in it.

It has been noted that we are “sons of God.” We are His children because of Christ. If children, then heirs. Under Roman law, all children – including those who were adopted into a family, became equal inheritors of an estate. Under Jewish law, it was different. The oldest son was given a double portion over the other sons. Paul is speaking of Roman, not Jewish, law.

Jesus shows us that this is true in Revelation 3:21 – “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”

Sitting on Jesus’ throne implies full inheritance, nothing less. All of the rights and privileges of true son-ship are realized because of mere faith in Christ. Adoption guarantees all this. We are “heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.” However, a point that is almost universally overlooked in today’s world of ease and comfort is the truth that calling on Christ doesn’t necessarily mean a bank account full of cash and a house with elevators.

We have been given the same right to rule in heaven and the same right to suffer on earth. We can thank the Lord each day that we get up to a beautiful sunrise, a table full of food, and a job which pays for family vacations, but we can also thank Him when we suffer for His name. In 1 Peter 4:15, 16 we are shown what honorable Christian suffering involves –

“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”

The truth we shouldn’t miss is that suffering, in and of itself, doesn’t meet the necessary conditions for the glory of heaven’s riches, only suffering with Christ does. When we suffer with Him in this manner we find that we will “also be glorified together” with Him. There is nothing shameful in suffering for Christ and in fact, it is the most honorable of all aspects of our Christian walk. To suffer for Him, is to have emulated Him in His highest moment leading to glory – the cross.

This family relationship and its suffering and glory isn’t intended to bestow upon us merely heaven either. Rather, Paul says we are “heirs of God.” In other words, heaven is a side benefit of the true inheritance which is God Himself. It is this which is of highest value. What is coming is so astonishing that we will marvel in it for all eternity – the revealing of our Creator in an endless stream of wisdom, wonderment, and delight – “And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.” Revelation 22:3, 4

Life application: To be an heir of God is a concept that we will never fully comprehend. Throughout the ages of ages we will ceaselessly, endlessly see the riches of God and behold the marvel and majesty of His glory. As this is so, why should we draw back from suffering for Christ now?  The highest honor of this earthly walk will be rewarded with the greatest glory of heaven’s treasures.

Heavenly Father, Your word says that for eternity we shall see you and serve You, walking in Your light and reveling in Your infinite glory. How can it be that You would bestow such an honor upon me? May my life now be a pleasing sacrifice to You. If I am called to suffer, may it be to Your glory. No matter what the trial or test, allow me the honor of facing it for You. Amen.

Sunday, 14 July 2013

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, Romans 8:16

That the Spirit bears witness of our state is a fairly common theme in the New Testament. One of several explicitly declared examples which confirms this is 1 Corinthians 2:12 – “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.”

As noted in 8:15, there is no universal “fatherhood” of God to humanity. Though this is a commonly held tenet by people around the world and a commonly taught doctrine by liberal Christian theologians, it is simply not a biblical tenet. Even the concept of the “brotherhood of man” is far too often used to convey meaning which isn’t biblically supportable. Without Christ, there is not the truly spiritual family relationship which the Bible reveals.

However, in Christ, we are sealed with the Spirit and established together with other believers in a unique way. There is a new bond uniting us which, although may not be evident as Christians often rile against each other and tear each other down, exists on a spiritual level nonetheless. This is manifest based on Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 1:22 –

“Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, ²² who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”

This same Spirit, the Holy Spirit, who adopts us, establishes us, anoints us, and seals us (among so many other things), also “bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” This cannot be human derived knowledge, because if that were true, then what to say of the many who claim to be God’s children apart from Christ? No, instead it is a knowledge imparted to us by God, through the Holy Spirit which assures us.

We can definitely say that we were born. Knowing that we are human and that humans are born of mothers who came from other humans, we can know with absolute certainty that we were born; it is a self-evident fact. So sure also should be the knowledge of our new birth in Christ. This doesn’t mean that the knowledge remains. Not many people think on the fact that they are humans, and unfortunately many quite often act more like animals than they do as humans. Despite this, they are no less human.

Likewise, there are Christians who act in a manner far less worthy than the glorious name they bear. Equally sad is that some have even forgotten that they bear the name (2 Peter 1:9), but the Spirit doesn’t forget and it testifies and bears witness to the truth of the conversion. A child of God will remain a child of God, though he may suffer the consequences of a life not lived for his glorious Father.

Life application: The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Are you living up to that high and exalted honor? In 2 Peter 1 verses 5-8, we are given valuable instruction to keep us from being barren or unfruitful  in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Take a moment to read those verses and then determine to apply them to your life.

My precious Lord, I am a jar of clay with many cracks and flaws, but the contents You have filled me with far surpasses the humbled body I am in. Help me to become a vessel which is honorable, glorifying to You, and worthy of the glorious Holy Spirit which testifies to my position in Christ. Bind up my cracks, fill in my flaws, and purify me with the washing of water by the word. Amen.

Saturday, 13 July 2013

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15

This is now the third “for” which follows the “therefore” of verse 12. As he does frequently, even earlier in this chapter, Paul is building up a solid wall of doctrine, one point leading to the next in order to buttress his argument. Follow the progression –

1) Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh;
2) 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;
3) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
4) For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

This “for” is an explanation of the previous conclusion about being a son of God. It is a “for” which is divided into two thoughts. The first contrasts being led by “the Spirit of God” to having left “the spirit of bondage” to fear.  And this is certain because you are “brethren.” Because you are, then you are led by the Spirit of God. This means you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear. And what is this bondage? It is explained in Hebrews 2:14, 15 –

“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”

The bondage is the power of death and the fear which results from it. We’ve already seen in Romans that the law produces death in our mortal bodies. And so Jesus shared in our humanity, fulfilled the law, died in fulfillment of the law, and carried away the death associated with the law. When the death was carried away, so was the fear which was connected to it.

If you truly believe the gospel and accept Christ, then you are truly free. Death has no power over you. This is as certain as the ground under your feet. The truth found in this message is absolute. As Jesus Himself proclaimed, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

The second portion of the explanation resulting from “for” is that because we are in Christ “brethren” “you received the Spirit of adoption.” If we are adopted as sons of God, and we are, then we are His children. This leads to an obvious conclusion that should be considered before going on. If we were adopted and are now sons of God, then before we were adopted we weren’t sons of God. In other words, until you are in Christ, who fulfilled the law, died in fulfillment of the law, and carried away the penalty of the law, you are not a son of God.

Stated plainly, if you are not a true believer in Jesus Christ, then you have no family relationship to God. You are, as described elsewhere, a “child of wrath.” This point shouldn’t be missed because even in Christian churches, the “Fathership” of God is tossed about as if it were universal to humanity. The Bible doesn’t teach this. It is either “in Christ” and a son of God, or not “in Christ” and an enemy of God.

With that clear, we can see the resulting benefit of the Spirit of adoption. Where once we were at complete odds with God, we can now cry out to Him as our “Abba, Father.” Paul uses both the Aramaic and the Greek as Jesus did in Mark 14:36. Abba is an endearing and personal term closely associated with “daddy.” It is the call of the child to the one who protects and feeds him. “Father” is the Greek pater which is the one who begets life. In this then, there is a respect and an adoration. Citing both languages then demonstrates our closeness to God and our gratitude and dependence on Him.

The Spirit of adoption is key to understanding out new position. Jesus is the Son of God. When we receive Him, we are now linked to God directly because of Him. God will no more reject us than He would His own beloved Jesus. The surety of being in Christ is complete, it is eternal, it is the hope of glory which will never fade.

Life application: If you are in Christ, death is defeated. Yes, these bodies will wear out and die, but that isn’t the end of the story. As surely as Jesus came out of the grave, because it was impossible for death to hold Him, so is the surety of the same for you.

Precious Heavenly Father – As sure as I am that Jesus came forth from the grave, so I am sure that I shall too. My hope isn’t in a dead Savior, but in the risen Christ. If death is defeated through Him and I am in Him, then death is defeated in me. I stand on the truth of the gospel and in the glory of the work of the Messiah. Hallelujah and Amen!

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.