Click here to go to Romans 8
This is one of those WOW chapters. It starts off with a great promise in verse 1: So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
But Paul then reminds us the importance of being controlled by the Spirit of God rather than our sinful natures and the importance of keeping our thoughts on the things of God. (vv. 5 - 11)
The promise that we are children of God and have the right to call him Abba Father! (vv. 12-17)
We also have the promise of help from the Holy Spirit, in our weaknesses, in our ability to pray. I also notice that Paul talks about how the Holy Spirit helps us when we don't know how to pray and it's after that verse comes the verse that gets thrown around way too often (and way too flippantly) verse 28: And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. I think we need the prayer piece to be able to appreciate in context with verse 28.
Finally, Paul reminds us that NOTHING can separate us from God's love!
"38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[p] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."
ReplyDeleteA great ending to a great chapter. I think this is what it all boils down to. Don't worry! That love will always be ours.
Romans 8
ReplyDelete30 He also called those whom he had already appointed. He approved of those whom he had called, and he gave glory to those whom he had approved of.
We were born at this specific time in history.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…” Jeremiah 1:5a
Esther 4
14 "For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXcJUIAJNW0
Wayne Watson - For Such A Time As This