Romans 8

Tuesday, 6 August 2013

…nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39

Romans 8:39 should be cited with 8:38 to get a full sense of Paul’s final thought of this chapter. They are amazing words which we can cling to throughout our walk in this veil of tears and trials.

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The apostle, a man who had the highest credentials within the Jewish society, and a man who had been personally called and ordained by the risen Christ for carrying the gospel message to “Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15) then suffered immense trials for the name of Jesus. He knew with absolute certainty of his calling and the hope of glory to come. Fully convinced and assured, he cites a list of ten things which can in no way “separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The list from 8:38 continues now in 8:39. Neither “height nor depth” could be speaking of a variety of things – heaven or hell; angelic forces or demonic forces; the highest prosperity or the lowest poverty; etc. Whichever Paul intended, it is understood that from the highest point of that concept, to the very lowest (and thus anywhere in between) there is complete assurance in Jesus Christ. At no level could there be the introduction of something to steal us away from our Lord.

“Nor any other created thing” includes anything that isn’t listed in his note. God is the Creator. Anything other than God is created. Therefore, nothing – absolutely nothing – can ever separate us from the love that has bound us to Him; a love that is found in Jesus Christ. This is the assurance of the one who has believed in Jesus and been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians1:13, 14). This verse is the absolute guarantee of eternal salvation. Nothing can separate us from the One to whom we have been joined.

Life application: The notion that one can “lose” their salvation is so far removed from the teaching of Scripture that it is unimaginable that the idea could even be contemplated, much less taught. But it is. Don’t let anyone ever steal from you the joy of your salvation. Instead, know that the God who called you has also justified you. And He has, in His mind, already glorified you. Let nothing ever take that assurance away from you.

Lord, in my life I have enjoyed a variety of foods that have brought delight to my taste. I have heard the sound of many instruments and an endless stream of new compositions, each beautifully arranged for the pleasure of my hearing. All of my senses have been filled with an abundance of delight. By thinking on what is created, I marvel at You the Creator! Surely, the wonder of what is created shows how much more glorious You are. Praises to You, O God. Amen.

Monday, 5 August 2013

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,… Romans 8:38

This is the first half of a two-part thought which sums up Paul’s thoughts in Romans 8. Paul, whose credentials were well known at the time of the writing of this epistle (for example, please refer to Philippians 3:4-6) looked at the world around him, both the spiritual world and the physical world, and compared it to his position in Christ. In his joy and in the surety of his salvation, he wrote words which are as true to us as they were to him.

“I am persuaded…” In essence, he is saying, “Based on everything I know and how it relates to my position in Christ, I will submit the following. I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor power, nor things present nor things to come…”

None of these things have the power to interfere with what will be stated in verse 39. All of these things are found in creation and therefore are under the control of the Creator. All of these are found also within the stream of time (which is itself a part of creation) and therefore, from the beginning to the end, nothing has the ability to affect that which Paul will reveal in the next verse.

Life application: God is the Creator of all things. The creation consists of temporal things such as time, space, and matter. It also consists of spiritual things such as angels and the realm in which they exist. If you are in Christ, then you are secure apart from these things. Have faith that your security is beyond the grasp of anything in creation.

Glorious God, you have sent Your Son into the world as a way for us to understand You intimately. What was once beyond our grasp, can now be understood. What was once unseen, is now visible. Before what was something we could only speculate on, is now written in Your word for us to know with certainty. Thank You for the surety You have given us because of Jesus. Amen.

Sunday, 4 August 2013

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37

In verse 35, the list of “these things” was given. It included seven things which are contrary to us – tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, and sword. Because these come against us as faithful believers, “we are accounted as sheep for slaughter.” The world may laugh at our faithfulness to God even in these attacks against us and even to the point of martyrdom. But Paul says despite such mocking, “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors…”

The word he uses for “more than conquerors” is hypernikōmen. It comes from two other Greek words – huper which we would translate as hyper, and nikao, meaning victory. The word nikao is the basis for Nike – the god of victory (and a good athletic shoe -ed. DBV Apprentice). The idea which we are given is that we are hyper-victorious “through Him who loved us.” “Through Him” implies that we are in no way victorious on our own. Without Christ, those seven words of woe would overcome us and our life-journey would be ended. But in Christ, they can’t even be considered minor setbacks.

In fact, the trials and perils we face, when faced in Christ and for Christ, only make the victory sweeter and they serve to complement the “hyper-ness” of the already supreme victory. As Paul notes in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Yes, in Christ we are more than conquerors.

Life application: Be sure to rightly apply Romans 8:37. When Paul says that “we are more than conquerors in Christ, he does it in a verse beginning with “yet.” To understand the context, we need to evaluate what verses are being tied to. In the case of this verse, it is tied to suffering. If you suffer, know that your suffering is already defeated. Through Christ who strengthens you, the victory is already assured.

Lord, when I wake up, there are pains in my body and so I rub on ointment. When I go to read, I need glasses. My head hurts Lord, and I take aspirin. When things aren’t right with me physically, I use that which corrects or heals my failing. How can I expect to treat my spiritual weaknesses any differently? Lord, open my heart and mind to understand Your word – the cure for all my spiritual woes. Amen.

Saturday, 3 August 2013

As it is written:
“For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Romans 8:36

Today Paul returns to the fountain, Scripture itself, to continue with the previous thought. This is a quote from Psalm 44:22. The Psalm is written about the sufferings of the people of Israel, the people of God. The surrounding nations had attacked and plundered them and the psalmist cried out his plea to God about the matter. Despite what was happening, he reminded God of their faithfulness –

All this has come upon us; But we have not forgotten You, Nor have we dealt falsely with Your covenant.

Paul looks to the treatment of the New Testament saints in the same way. Despite all of the woes which could come against them as noted in 8:35, they would remain faithful to God. In 1 Corinthians 4:9, he highlights a similar note concerning the apostles –

“For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.”

“For Your sake” means “God” and it is related to the gospel message found in Christ Jesus. Because of our obedience to this glorious display of love, “we are killed all day long.” This isn’t just hyperbole. Christians were already being singled out and martyred for their faith at Paul’s time. From Stephen, the first recorded martyr (Acts 7:60), the slaughter of Christians has gone on unabated for two millennia. The floor of the Roman coliseum is still stained with the blood which flowed there eons ago.

“All day long” is an idiom which means, “ceaselessly.” The blood flows and the people’s faith remains and is strengthened. The surety of eternal life in Christ makes such suffering not only tolerable, but acceptable to the one facing the ordeal. Because it is, “We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” A sheep will simply follow where it is led, without question. They don’t run away as they approach their doom. Instead, they obediently walk behind the shepherd where he leads.

The thought being relayed is that where Christ leads, be it to a life of length and green pastures, or to a slaughter house for His glory, His sheep will follow. The reason isn’t because of blind faith. The reason is because of revealed light. Christ has risen and those in Christ will rise. “What can man do to me? Christ is on my side.”

Life Application: A Christian’s life of prosperity and ease doesn’t indicate God loves that person any more than the one suffering in a dirty prison cell awaiting execution. Should the comfortable life you face suddenly come to a screeching halt and persecution comes to your door, will you still be thankful and willingly follow your Shepherd? Think about it now, who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Heavenly Father, long ago, the psalmist wrote these words –

For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

The New Testament repeats them. This tells me I may have to face trials, persecution, or even death for my faith in Christ. Should this honor come my way, I will be obedient. Where the Shepherd leads, I will follow. Amen.

Friday, 2 August 2013

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:35

Another verse well worth committing to memory is found in Romans 8:35. Paul has just explained that there is none who can condemn those who have faith in Christ. He died for our sins and was raised for our justification. And even more, He is there at the right hand of God interceding for us. Because of this, another rhetorical question is proposed, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” The only possible answer is, “No one.” Any alternative would be unthinkable.

To help us think this though clearly, a list of possibilities is given which would normally separate the living –

Tribulation, Greek thlipsis – This generally denotes something which applies external pressure. If one stands on a watermelon, the melon will scrunch and explode. External pressures on us cause us to fold in, either physically or mentally, until we finally lose control. No matter what presses upon us, what it leads to is temporary; it has no eternal bearing on our state before God.

Distress, Greek stenochōria – This could be equated to being stuck in a tight, confining place. If one were buried alive, this would be a word which might be used. There is no freedom of movement, but only the confinement which cause anxiety. In 2 Corinthians 7:5, Paul speaks of the distress he faced – “Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.” The external conflicts caused the internal fears. However, even though we may enter into dire, confining straights, Christ shall lead us to broad spaces where there will be eternal freedom of movement. See Psalm 18:19, for example.

Persecution, Greek diōgmos – If we walk in life and have others constantly attempting to overtake us and harm us, we are facing persecution. The intent is to destroy in name, in character, or even in person. Such is the fate of many in the world today as the Islamic and secular world attacks, reviles, and kills Christians because of their faith in the work of Jesus. No matter what they say or do, Christ is our Advocate and He is our place of refuge. There should be no fear of what the world can do. It is but a light affliction.

Famine, Greek limos – This is the complete deprivation of what is needed to remain alive. It is a lack of food; it is a lack of water; it is the deficiency of nutrition which can only lead to death. Though we may lack food or water, there is a place awaiting us where there shall be no lack. “They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat…” Revelation 7:16

Nakedness, Greek gymnotēs– This isn’t speaking of a state of immodesty, but rather a state of deprivation of the necessities for protection. It is the state of being without any clothing at all. Imagine the anguish of being stripped bare in the midst of the heat of the desert or during the falling of a heavy wet snow. There can only be one end to such treatment, misery followed by death. However, in Christ, we are granted eternal garments with which to cover ourselves. See Revelation 3:5, for example.

Peril, Greek kindynos – This is anything which would cause danger or risk. If we walk into the ocean, maybe we will step on something with a poison barb. If we flee in haste, maybe we will slip and break a limb. If we cut ourselves maybe an incurable infection will result. Peril includes anything which is a result of the curse pronounced so long ago upon creation. Whatever is against us as human beings and which could harm us, it will be forgotten someday when we are delivered into the paradise God has prepared for His people. Revelation 21:3 tells us that in the future, there shall be no more curse.

Sword, Greek machaira – This is surely speaking of the state of martydom that many Christians have faced, are facing, and will continue to face. The term “the edge of thesword” in Hebrew is actually “the mouth of the sword.” The sword is a consuming instrument which is never satisfied. It’s hunger is only for more death. However, should you – O Christian – face the sword, it can only lead you through the Door and into the world where death is swallowed up in victory. Christ has prevailed over such things. Fear not.

Life application: There are a multitude of things which can harm us or kill us, but none of them can prevail over us. In Christ, the battle is already won. If you desire to have your faith strengthened today, take time to read Hebrews 11 which tells of the faith of those who have gone before.

Heavenly Father, I have the assurance that no matter what trial or struggle comes against me, there is a better hope than this temporary, earthly walk. I know that no distress, peril, persecution, or want can keep me from the promises You have made. And so I place my life in Your capable hands, knowing that You shall lead me to waters of rest. Amen.