Romans 8:1-25
Q.1. What makes our freedom from condemnation so refreshing? How does Christ’s victory bring us a new power to please God? Who accomplishes this in us? – (Rom.8:1-11)
Under the law of sin and death, we had a gloomy future, and were under God’s wrath and condemnation (Rom.1:18; 8:1-2). Our fallen nature made it impossible to meet the perfect demands of the Law. Yet – God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering of sin, He condemned sin in the flesh (Rom.8:3). God did what we could not do. He met the requirement of the Law for us, so that with an attitude of thankfulness, we might live according to the Spirit (Rom.8:4). Paul explained the different motivation of those who are led by the Spirit, rather than by setting their minds on fleshly rule-keeping. He reminded them that – those who are in the flesh cannot please God … that they are hostile to God (Rom.8:8 c.f. 8:7). He underscored that – … if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him (Rom.8:9). However, he gave hope to the born-again believer, with the promise that – if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you (Rom.8:11). This is God’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes (c.f. Ps.118:23; Mk.12:11).
Q.2. How are we to live as God’s children? What characterizes the true child of God? What wonderful plans does God have for His adopted children? – (Rom.8:12-17)
We are no longer obliged to find approval with God by keeping the Law, since this has been done for us by Christ (Rom.8:12). Nevertheless, the true believer is committed to – … putting to death the deeds of the body, so (he) you will live (Rom.8:13). This desire to please God, inspired by the indwelling Holy Spirit, proves that we really are children of God (Rom.8:14-16). We have been transformed from slaves of sin, to adopted sons of our heavenly Father – For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father! (Rom.8:15). This new direction in life gives us the assurance from the Holy Spirit, that we belong to the family of God (Rom.8:16). The witness of the Spirit does not just look backward to our salvation, but also looks forward to our inheritance, and ultimate glory as – children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him (Rom.8:17).
Q.3. What makes suffering in this life inevitable? Why does this life rarely make sense? Is this also true for believers? Is there a point to this travail? – (Rom.8:18-25)
People accusingly ask why God allows so much pain and tragedy in life. God didn’t plan it that way from the beginning. Rather it is caused by us sinners who have rebelled against His perfect ways. We cannot turn against God and end up with a better outcome. Paul had already alluded to our suffering with Christ [Rom.8:17). However, it is all worth it, for he says – For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Rom.8:18). What he went on to explain is crucial: The world order is in chaos since the rebellion of Adam. Paul stated that this futility is not something we wanted or desired, but is something that was inevitable, because this world is operating in a way contrary to God’s original plans – For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope (Rom.8:20). He further explained in verses 24 & 25 – 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it (Rom.8:24-25). In other words, life doesn’t add up when we remove God from the equation. Since the Fall – we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now (Rom.8:22). We may imagine that this is only the experience of those still rebelling against God. However, Paul declared that this is the experience of all fallen creatures who are under the curse – … also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body (Rom.8:23). The unsaved can only hope for a better life after death. By contrast, the believer’s hope is assured, because it is based on the promises of God. It is founded on the foundation of Christ’s atoning sacrifice and triumph over death. It is surely astounding that the Lord reaches out to us at all, not only when we are rebellious sinners, but even in old age, when we are physically weakened by the ravages of the Fall.