If you're not encouraged then either you're not a Christ-follower or not paying attention to Paul's words!
Read and digest them with me!
Romans 8 (Read it here)
There is nothing more true and comforting for a Christ-follower to know than about the truth in verse 1. We are not condemned by God, regardless of what we think of ourselves when we accept and follow His son, Jesus. God's gift of the Spirit to every believer gives each of us the freedom to thwart temptations to sin. (v. 2) The law doesn't do that. If anything, the law shows us how weak and sinful we are. No human had the chance of living of a perfect life with sin being in control of our lives. So what did God do? He sent His son in human form, in our likeness, to live a sinless life. Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice on our behalf, because we couldn't be like him ourselves. (v. 3)
Did you catch that or have you heard it so many times you read right over it without thinking about what it means? Jesus chose to LEAVE heaven, come to earth, be born in a horse trough, to be ridiculed, beaten and crucified so that all humans (even the ones who hate him) may have the opportunity to be reconciled with God. Jesus chose to be born of a human and live a perfect life so he could die on our behalf (when we, humanity, were the ones who actually deserved death).
Jesus' sinless life is crucial because he is the only human (although being God's son, as well) that has fulfilled the law! Through faith in Jesus, we take part in his righteousness and live by the same power that guided him, if we are willing to let the Spirit take control of us. (v. 4)
How do you know if the Spirit has control over you? Its quite simple. What are the things you think about? Are those thoughts driven by selfish ambition (what you want or don't have) or hate (how you can't stand so-and-so)? If so, that's not a good sign, obviously. If you are controlled by the Spirit, you will instinctively do what is pleasing to God. (v. 5) By the way, that hit me square in the gut because my thoughts are, half of the time, not pleasant or encouraging.
For example, while on vacation in Orlando, I let my wife inside my "real self." We are both people-watchers. When we go to a mall, for instance, there is little that evades our roaming eyes. Jenny honestly told me she has a problem with anger towards women who are skinnier than her. I told her that if not thinking about it, I could mentally think of something to pick on for every person I see. He's overweight, "where's the rest of her shorts," they can't speak English, he looks like a dork and so on.
I only tell you this for two reasons: 1) This is who we are WITHOUT God. This is what we're naturally like without the Spirit guiding us. The Spirit kicked in when we finally discovered that we were mentally judging almost everyone we saw, even though we would never actually treat someone that way outwardly. What hypocrisy, right? 2) God hears every single word of it! When we belittle others, grumble or say anything else under our breath that isn't encouraging or directed at God, I call them empty prayers. Face it, if no one else hears it, who does? God does.
Letting that kind of behavior control you will lead to death. Not just physical death (duh, because everyone will die someday) but we're talking about remaining in a state of spiritual death. Where God is not present or welcomed, death is the master. It is there that no one else matters but the self. A lifestyle of "I gotta get mine" might as well say, "God you gotta get gone." Only when we let the Spirit guide our thoughts and actions do we find peace and what life is really all about. (v. 6)
The way I described myself without God is common to all of us at some point. In fact, Paul says that human nature is predisposed to being hostile to God. We naturally want to do what is opposite of what God would desire us to do. (v. 7) The aspect of surrendering our old selves is paramount because when we are in complete control of our lives (thoughts, actions and desires), it is impossible to please God. For we only know what God desires when we give God control. (v. 8) That is why it is said, "without faith, it is impossible to please God." (Hebrews 11:6)
Even though Christ-followers may still have bouts with their old selves, they are not controlled by it. God is the master of your spirit; Christ-followers belong to Him. (v. 9) With God, Christ, the Spirit (they're all the same) living within, the dead spirit in you comes alive! (v. 10) The same Spirit who raised Jesus is what's driving those who follow Jesus. (v. 11)
With that kind of power at our disposal, we have the ability to thwart any sinful temptation that is thrown at us. (v. 12) The more we ignore our selfish desires, the more we live. The more ignore where God leads, the more we die on the inside. (v. 13)
Even though every human being was created by God, only those who follow His Spirit get the distinction of being called his child. (v. 14) You'll know it when you are a son or daughter of God, no one has to tell you. (v. 16)
If you have received Christ and have noticed a change in the way you see others and the world, you should be confident, not fearful. Your Heavenly Father didn't create you to be fearful slaves. (v. 15) He created us to be heirs. We will share in God's glory, but also in his suffering. (v. 17) For even though Jesus has been raised to a position of honor beside God in heaven (as Christ-followers will be, too, one day), he also faced persecution for his faith. Christians inherit both from Jesus. So if my life is rosy, without any problems, I need to wonder if I'm truly living like Jesus. Persecution is a prerequisite.
This life and the pain and struggles we have in it will be nothing compared to the glory God will reveal after we leave this earth! (v. 18) One day everyone on earth will truly know who exactly are God's children and who are the posers. (v. 19) Even though Adam & Eve's sin brought about the curse of death, the whole creation (not just humans, but everything!) eagerly awaits the day when God will destroy death and decay. (vs. 20-21) Even the earth itself is wanting God to return for it, too, groans with pain and wants to be renewed. (v. 22)
Just think about that. All the earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes are part of the earth itself bringing about death. God did not create the earth to be this way. The sin of humanity not only brought about a curse on the earth in the garden of Eden but also humanity continues to do so today (global warming, anyone?). So just as sin can have control over a person, it can definitely have control over the earth, as well.
Have you ever thought of it that way?
One of the greatest things we will inherit from God when we reach heaven is the inability to sin and suffer. This is made possible because God will give us new, flawless bodies. (v. 23) Too bad Paul doesn't have insight on exactly what that will look like. This promise is money, you can take it to the bank, (v. 24) its just a matter of time. (v. 25)
--------------------
Paul switches gears a little here when he references prayer starting in verse 26. Did you know that there are things that God wants people to pray for? Of course, we can't know the entire mind of God so the Holy Spirit prays for us! How wild is that?!
God can have this dynamic at work because he knows everyone's heart and thoughts. He and the Holy Spirit communicate flawlessly, unlike the connection between humanity and God. The Spirit only prays for God's will to occur in our lives. Sorry, the Spirit is, most likely, not praying for you to get perfect traffic on the way to work.
Verse 28 is one of the most cosmic-sized, one-liners that Paul is famous for. Its nearly impossible to wrap your mind around it (ok it may be impossible, actually). Paul says, "everything that happens in this world works together for good." If we stop there, we have a problem. Obviously, there are plenty of people in this world that are models for life being cruel or unfair. Does a Christ-follower just have better luck or does God make everything in our lives run smooth? Of course not! This is where this verse can cause more harm than good.
You have to remember that God is not partial; He loves everyone. The reason why everything ends up "all good" for Christ-followers is that God gives them the peace to withstand it. The average person can be destroyed by tragedy, but not a child of God. They are reinforced by His Spirit to not only survive suffering, pain and tragedy but also thrive in response to it!
All those who have come to faith in Jesus have not come by accident. God knew it would happen. He destines all believers to become like Jesus; to be recognized as righteous in His sight. He, again, will impart His glory both now and later. (vs. 29-30) In other words, we will have the ability not only to enjoy heaven but also the ability to bring a slice of heaven to earth by our actions and words.
Yeah, right.
If you're like me, you don't bring heavenly feelings with all your actions and words. Many times we have an opportunity to do something great, something gracious for someone in need and we blow it. That doesn't mean that God turns His back on us. (v. 31)
Since God was willing to spare even his own Son for us all, He will definitely give us everything else we need. (v. 32) We'll need confidence, zeal, forgiveness, grace, persistence, peace and a million other things that would make this post a mile long.
If anyone ever judges you or calls you unworthy of being a child of God, you can say what Paul says, "How dare you?" (v. 33) As if anyone could know who God has and hasn't chosen to be right with Him. In that way, no one has the ability to condemn but God. However, God will not condemn His children who have come to faith in His Son, Jesus Christ! (v. 1) Jesus, along with the Holy Spirit, also prays for us, by the way! (v. 34)
So what are we supposed to think if we run into a really rough patch in our lives? What if we lost most of our valuable possessions in, say, a natural disaster? Does that mean God is judging us?
NO!
Millions of Christians in other countries face persecution or even death for their faith in Jesus, yet still don't blame God for any calamity! Why should they? God's word promises that He doesn't condemn them, EVER! Victory, in this life and the next is ours because of Jesus has done for us! (v. 37)
Again, NOTHING can EVER separate us from God's love! Not death, nor demons, nor fear, not even hell itself can separate us from God's love! (v. 38) There is nothing that supersedes God's authority and nothing that trumps His love, especially nothing within us! So be encouraged, lift your head and live like you can't fail because its the truth!
Questions
1.) Have you ever thought about the fact that Jesus chose to leave heaven to die for sinful humanity? He had it all in heaven with God, the Father, but his love for us drove him to earth to show exactly how deep his love is! Many people choose not to worship God because they don't want to worship a god that would force his son to die. This isn't true, Jesus accepted God's will. He could've refused. What does that say about Jesus' love for us that, even when he could've refused with no repercussions, he chose to die for our sins?
2.) Did you know that both the Spirit and Jesus pray for Christ-followers constantly? Did you know there are things that God desires for each one of us to pray for? What do you think God would want you to be praying for (globally, in your community, school and personally)?
3.) Do you believe that humanity's sin affects everything so much as to have the earth bring about death, too, in the way of natural disasters? Why or why not?
BONUS QUESTION: If you are a Christ-follower, do you honestly believe that there is nothing you can do to earn or lose God's love for you? Does your life prove or cast shadow on that fact? Why or why not?
No comments:
Post a Comment