Romans 8:29-30 - The Golden Chain of Salvation

Romans 8:29-30 - 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

Message: The Golden Chain of Salvation

Time: This book was probably written between 56 and 57 B.C. Paul was in Greece, probably Corinth when he wrote. It was sent to Gentile believers, but also believers with a strong Jewish element.

What the Lord is Saying:

On the heels of verse 28, where God works all things together for good for those that love God and are called according to His purposes, Paul now explains further how verse 28 is possible for God. Verse 28 is a promise.


I believe these are two verses that have caused some of the most controversy among Christians than any other two verses in the Bible. There are verses of controversy among Christians and non-Christians alike. Different verses are applied differently, like "do not judge, lest you be judged" or even the book of Romans and its message of grace versus the message people infer from Jesus to practice the following of God's commands. But, those themes and those verses seem to be a controversy among people of different faiths, that often divide one entire belief system from another.

I guess I could say that a person's understanding of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit would be another controversial set of verses among Christians for some believe it to be a separate act of receiving the Holy Spirit or be indwelled by the Spirit.

I guess I myself have witnessed the controversy of verse 29 and 30 because I have seen it divide a church that I was involved in. Verse 29 and 30 seem to set up the 5 points of Calvinism that then begin a discussion between Calvinism and Arminianism. Calvinism which basically states God chooses and elects people for salvation, and people don't have a choice but to respond to Christ. None of those called will fall away. The Arminianism belief has similar parts to Calvinism but basically believes that since man has free will man has a choice in whether he is saved.

Personally, I tend to see a little combo of the two, however, my thought is I trust God's commands to evangelize, make disciples, pray, trust Him through life's circumstances. And I believe we are to follow these commands and let God take care of the results. I am to trust God and His word and be obedient to His commands, believing that everything I do for God is for His glory (I Cor 15:58). So, neither belief changes the way I act. God will take care of showing me the truth after I die but for right now I don't need to know and my knowledge won't change how I live.

It is interesting, though, because people generally have no problem believing verse 28, but struggle sometimes in the understanding of verses 29 and 30.

Breaking apart these verses

1. God works all things together for good for those called according to His purposes
2. He foreknew His people
3. He predetermined that His people would be conformed to the image of His Son
4. [He would be the firstborn among many brethren]
5. Those that He predestined, He called
6. Those that He called, He justified
7. Those that He justified, He glorified

The common theme in these verses is God knew in advance His own people and knew that they would be called, justified, glorified, and conformed to His image. He had the knowledge that this would happen to His people. And he called them. 

Promise: He knows. I don't.

Romans 8:28 - God's Work for Our Good

Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Message: All things in the in-between work together for good

Time: This book was probably written between 56 and 57 B.C. Paul was in Greece, probably Corinth when he wrote. It was sent to Gentile believers, but also believers with a strong Jewish element.

What the Lord is Saying:

I really struggle in life at things that get over-used. I've always struggled with songs that get overplayed. There are times when those songs are great. I rarely like the sports teams that everyone seems to like, all the time. I struggle at times with which people use verses over and over for any and every circumstance. This is one of those verses that I tend to be somewhat cautious in using. I formerly used it all the times. But, I often notice how often it is used now by people when they are praying and I just wonder if it is really meant to be used for any and all circumstances.

In looking at what Paul is speaking about in Romans 8, he really seems to be focusing on our future position in Christ and a focus on the future based upon our current circumstances. He wants me to see that I have been adopted into the family of God and so I'm a part of God's family. And he wants me to see that though I live in a world often with a message of futility I have assurance of the future and the hope of my future position with God for all eternity.

In the past two verses, Paul began to show me that Roman Christians had a weakness in praying. And so Paul lets them know that because they have the indwelling of the Spirit that the Spirit will carry them through their prayers and speak to them in ways that are hard to verbalize. So, the Spirit is there with them. And then he reminds them also that the Father is praying for them and praying in accordance with the purposes of the Holy Spirit.

God works it all out
And then in verse 28 is really a continued thought from verse 27 that says, "He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is." We know that God has taken care of our salvation. And he is guiding us and strengthening us with His Spirit in our sanctification. So, if we are resting on God as our anchor through all of this then verse 28 doesn't seem unusual at all. God will work it all out for our good. He will work all things will work together for good.

I think the danger sometimes is that we as humans are decided what are the "all things" and then we are also defining what is meant by "good." I think I need to be careful taking two bad things and then praying this verse and thinking those two bad things will result in 1 good thing.

In addition, this is a promise for those in Christ. It is for those who have the indwelling of the Spirit.

Promise: I don't want to take away from this verse because it has a wonderful promise that every circumstance of life, every success or failure work together for our final good. From Tabletalk, June 2014, "Nothing can thwart the Lord's intent to benefit His people. 

This prayer was read in church last Sunday. I love what it says and how it ends. We begin each day in joy, in hope, and in deep gladness.  

At the dawn

By Walter Brueggemann
Our first glimpse of reality this day -- everyday -- is your fidelity.
We are dazzled by the ways you remain constant among us,
        in season, out of season,
        for better, for worse,
        in sickness and in health.
You are there in watchfulness as we fall asleep;
You are there in alertness when we awaken ... and we are glad.
    Before the day ends, we will have occasion
            to flag your absence in indifference...
            but not now, not at the dawn.
    Before the day ends, we will think more than once
            that we need a better deal from you...
            but not now, not at the dawn.
    Before the day ends, we will look away from you and
            relish our own fidelity and our virtue in mercy...
            but not now, not at the dawn.
Now, at the dawn, our eyes are fixed on you in gladness.
    We ask only that your faithfulness
            permeate every troubled place we are able to name,
            that your mercy
            move against the hurts to make new,
            that your steadfastness
            hold firmly what is too fragile on its own.
And we begin the day in joy, in hope, and in deep gladness. Amen.

Romans 8:26-27 - The Spirit's Intercession

Romans 8:26-27 - 26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Message: Prayer as it should be

Time: This book was probably written between 56 and 57 B.C. Paul was in Greece, probably Corinth when he wrote. It was sent to Gentile believers, but also believers with a strong Jewish element.

What the Lord is Saying:

Review
It never gets old to review where I've come from so far in this study of Romans. I definitely am loving this study. I've studied Romans before but I don't think I've ever gotten this far into it. I tend to be a starter and not a finisher, so I still have a goal to finish.


Romans 1 continues to be my favorite in all of scripture. I love the introduction Paul makes of this letter in the first 17 verses, proclaiming that it is all about the gospel, not just the letter, but really his life is all about the gospel and proclaiming it. He longs to see the people in Rome. Why? Because they are all about the gospel and making it known.


But then the rest of Romans 1 gives us a heavy dose on the reality of our culture. The reality is our culture has replaced God with, well, basically anything else. And the scariest thing is, "God has given them over" to it. It reminds me of Moses and Pharaoh. God sent Moses to Pharaoh and Pharaoh's heart was hardened. In the first half mentions of the hardening of Pharaoh's heart, it was Pharaoh admitting a hardened heart, but in the last half it was that God had hardened his heart. Same thing in Romans 1. It starts out with people knowing God, but not honoring, not giving thanks, but exchanged God for something else and then it moves to God giving them over to their degrading passions.


So, in my opinion the only way they can come back is if God draws them and this often the result of our fervent praying.


The last half of Romans 1 is really directed toward the guilt of the Gentile, so Paul takes the time to speak of the guilt of the Jew in chapter 2 and 3 through verse 20.  It is clear the Law won't save the Jew and the act of circumcision won't save the Jew. No one gets a free pass before God. Paul clearly shows that there is nothing of man's doing that can make him right with God. That is a very hard truth for people to accept.


At the end of chapter 3 is really perhaps a small Gospel presentation which is really kind of fitting. The Gospel is simple. God will make me righteous. Without God interceding I am unrighteous. God intercedes by sending His Son as our redeemer. I receive righteousness by faith apart from any works I may do. It's actually very simple.


Paul then confirms that this is nothing new and Abraham had the same thing happen to him whereby God  declared Him righteous and Paul explains this in chapter 4.


What does it mean to be justified? Chapter 5 tells us the benefits. The first one is well understood and received, it is peace. But, the 2nd one is rarely celebrated. We have joy in tribulation. It is out of our sin, our mistakes, our goof-ups and then our trials and tribulations that God is glorified and in our trials as redeemed people our faith is confirmed, validated, and brings us hope in the day of Glory. and the 3rd benefit is I am saved from God's wrath. In Adam, sin spread to all men resulting in death to all. In Christ, redemption is available to all, resulting in eternal life with God.


Chapter 6, 7, and 8 then pose the question, "What then?" Between this justification and glorification resides my sanctification. As I heard a pastor say, when a person is baptized, they are not held under and sent to glory, they are raised up to walk new in life. The Life of a regenerate Christian should be all about growing in holiness. Chapter 6 tells me sin is dead in me, so flee from it. And then in Chapter 7 don't continue in my old life of being obedient to the Law on my own strength, I must always remember the Law is not capable of making me righteous. But God working through me can fulfill the Law. But, I must always keep in mind the weakness of my own flesh (this is why I personally think accountability is of utmost importance to all believers in Christ per Hebrews 10:24-25). And Paul then shows me really the crown of my life now in Christ and that is the Spirit of God is in me. The Spirit will deliver me from the power of my flesh, will confirm me as a son (child) of God. and will focus me in life on my future glory. I love how Solomon records it in Ecclesiastes 3:11. "He has made everything beautiful (appropriate) in its own time. He has also set eternity in the human heart. Yet so that man (no one) can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." The key in that verse is God takes cares of the details. God tells us the beginning and focuses on the end and I must let him take care of and trust Him with the in between. Easier said than done.


So, once again, in Chapter 8 the Holy Spirit is confirming and focusing me on the future. On one hand I can rejoice now because I am part of the family of God. Life is futile. No doubt. But, I have hope. Again, rely on eternity.


Current context
What is so important about verse 26 and 27 is their leading up verse to verse 28. Verse 28 is one of those often name it, claim it verses. Like so many verses pulled out and used in the Bible, I think we and I must be careful of its use. And verse 26 and 27 are so important in its understanding as well as the meaning of these verses going back to verse 18.


According to my Bible, 18-25 is one paragraph. And 26-30 is another paragraph.


Weakness in praying
Very clearly these two verses, 26 and 27 are speaking of prayer (28-30 as well in my opinion). The Spirit clearly as spoken of in verses 18-25 and going back to verse 1 of chapter 8 is there with us in life. He is there for the in-between -- the time between the beginning and end and more specifically in life of the justified, the time between justification and glorification. So, the Spirit is with us in life. Well, the Spirit is also with us in our weakness. Could it be Paul is letting us know that a weakness is prayer?


"In the same way" that hope helps us while we live in the midst of futility, the Spirit helps our weakness. And so obviously, what Paul is saying we (or more specifically the church in Rome)


I can identify with this. Prayer is a weak thing in my life. I can sense the Spirit prompting many times to pray. Some times I listen, many times I don't. I often listen to the lie that prayer doesn't make sense. Why would a sovereign God ask me to pray?  But I think that's a question I don't need to ask. My tendency is to ask why, but as scripture tells me the clay doesn't ask the potter why did you make me this way so I don't ask why, I am to do because the command to pray is clear.


I notice Paul doesn't tell people to pray. Prayer is assumed. It is assumed the Christians in Rome are praying. Pray is assumed to be a part of our lives. Has Paul assumed anything in Romans? That is almost a comical question because the man who has presented such a thorough presentation of condemnation, justification and sanctification thus far has clearly assumed nothing in those concepts. And yet, here, prayer is assumed to occur and also prayer is clearly a weakness.


Good news about prayer
Paul offers to me good news about prayer. The Spirit is with me. The Spirit comes alongside me. I know the Spirit prompts me to pray, though these verses don't convey that thought. But, the Spirit, just as He is gives me hope in the midst of futility, is also there to help me with my praying.


The word "groanings" is used here. It has been used before. In verse 22, the creation groans in regards to the reality of life being about nothing and the creation experiences the pain of life. And in verse 23, groaning even occurs for those in Christ in regards to a new position in Christ, including as adopted sons) and that our body is redeemed. To me groanings is non-verbal. It's something that occurs within us that is there, but not able to be articulated or voiced. It is something that is happening, but can't readily be described. It doesn't mean that we don't often try to describe it for we habitually feel a need to answer all of the "why" questions in life. But, I really think Paul is saying to me basically that, "yes, you know you are to be a praying man, and the Spirit is there helping you in ways that really can't be described."


I don't think this is too hard to comprehend. When I do think about how big God is and what it means that everything I see He authored and I see this world in all of its intricacies and continuous movement and long-term time and timeline is all being sustained by Him, it just seems easy to realize that God speaks and works through me in ways that aren't describable.

Good news in praying
Verse 26 is the principle. Verse 26 describes the principle. Paul continuously in Romans offers me a principle first and then the application or the specifics or further explains what this means to my daily life and the practical part of the principle.

"God searches our hearts." Prayer is a time often about Psalm 139 time where God is searching me to see if there is anything offensive in me (verse 24). I think this is an application for the Christian and Non-Christian. It is God who is at first is helping man see where they have been a sinner. It is God that draws people to Himself. He searches our hearts to help us see our offense.

But here further what God is doing is searching our hearts to help us see our sin, see where our flesh has corrupted us, as is spoken of at the end of Romans 7. Our heart is being searched to align ourselves with the indwelling Spirit in us ("He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is"). We are meant to be better aligned in prayer.

God intercedes for us
And in praying we realize that God is interceding for us. My Bible adds words to this text and those are in italics. So, the rest of the verse says, "He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." If I remove the italics, it reads, "He intercedes for the saints according to God." God prays for me according to Himself. So, God is praying that I would be about Him and His ways.

We work so hard to pray. We bring God big lists. We often pray, "if it's according to your will God" Prayer has become more about what people are struggling with at any given time that about exposing our own selves in prayer.

One of the things that I really enjoy about the new church we are attending (over the last 6 or 7 weeks) is that, in the service, they have a time of confession. They have an intentional time set aside to confess ones sins. One week, one of the pastors mentioned that many times that time needs to be about Psalm 139 because often we come into prayer having no idea what our sin is. And then other times we should be about Psalm 51 and confessing those sins. There is no problem with mentioning the hurts that people are experiencing, the trials and tribulations, but I must not forget that first and foremost prayer is about exposing me. And then aligning me with God and His ways.

As I learn through scripture, I need to be careful. And I think I need to be careful as I pray. Ultimately, the Spirit is there, and God is praying for me. I need to pray for others and the things that matter most in their lives, namely their salvation and God rescuing them from their habitual life of sin without regret or remorse towards God. And I need to be careful about making prayer just a time to focus what I feel like is a problem for me (getting out of a trial).

One last note
It is clear that we don't pray correctly. I think we tend to think that any prayer is a good and right prayer. But, I think I can see through these verses that some prayers need not be prayed. 

Promise: I am limited in my understanding of myself and my circumstances. The Holy Spirit takes my prayers and makes them perfect. God prays perfectly in accordance to the way of the Holy Spirit and His requests are always granted. - My conclusion from June 26, 2014 Tabletalk

Romans 8:23-25 - Our Longing for Bodily Redemption

Romans 8:23-25 - 23 And not only this, but 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. 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.

Message:Hope sustains

Time: This book was probably written between 56 and 57 B.C. Paul was in Greece, probably Corinth when he wrote. It was sent to Gentile believers, but also believers with a strong Jewish element.

What the Lord is Saying:

Set up
"And not only this," - that has to be best statement so far in the book of Romans. No wait, there is more. The chairman of detail and explanations, Paul, tells us to hold onto our hats and get ready for more.

In this section of Romans Paul continues to remind us that our current suffering is nothing compared to our future glory. And all of creation wants this future glory. But, for now man lives in the pains and groaning of this present life (even though we try so hard to make out that nothing is wrong). 

In verse 22 was the proclamation that whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth. Every one. No one is exempt. The pain that a woman experiences in childbirth sure does look excruciating. I don't like pain. I don't like being uncomfortable and that pain looks very uncomfortable. And glory awaits at the end of the pain so I guess what is remembered is not so much the pain but the aftermath of the pain. Paul I think there is also wanting people to see that that utter pain and discomfort is what mankind is experiencing through time. But, deliverance awaits man if man will take it. And Christ followers possess the answer. We must share it with others. We must at least try.

First fruits
Verse 23 shifts to the Christian. Verse 22 was all of creation. Verse 23 is the follower or those in Christ, having been justified or made right with God. And in this verse, the calling card of the Christian is they have "the first fruits of the Spirit." This is a key phrase and in this verse, Paul obviously chose His words carefully. He could have said anything, so why did he say this?

First fruits represent the beginning of the harvest for the Israelites that is often offered as a sacrifice. God only wanted what was best. Even in our tithing to the Lord, I need to get paid and immediately give. He should get what is first out of my pocketbook. He is the priority.

Exodus 23:19 - “You shall bring the choice first fruits of your soil into the house of the Lord your God.

Leviticus 23:10 - “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you enter the land which I am going to give to you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring in the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest.

Deuteronomy 18:4 “You shall give him the first fruits of your grain, your new wine, and your oil, and the first shearing of your sheep.

Deuteronomy 26:1-4 - “Then it shall be, when you enter the land which the Lord your God gives you as an inheritance, and you possess it and live in it, that you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground which you bring in from your land that the Lord your God gives you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place where the Lord your God chooses to establish His name. You shall go to the priest who is in office at that time and say to him, ‘I declare this day to the Lord my God that I have entered the land which the Lord swore to our fathers to give us.’ Then the priest shall take the basket from your hand and set it down before the altar of the Lord your God.

So Paul takes this idea of first fruits and basically turns it around to express to me what I have received by way of my faith in believing in Jesus and what he did for me that I could not do. Just as God received the first fruits, I have basically received the first fruits. So I have what is most important in regards to my belief in Christ.  Are there future glories? Yes indeed, but what I have now is the best. Once again that should be a reminder to the Christian that nothing can separate us from God once we have placed our trust in Him.

Of the Spirit
But it is not just the first fruits by themselves but it is the first fruits of the Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13 - In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise.

I have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Just from Paul's words I know that I have something pretty amazing in having the Holy Spirit. Again, I have what I need to now live in peace beyond the pains and groans of childbirth. The Holy Spirit has been pledged or given to me. I have it and it is the promise that I have being sealed in God. God is with me.

We wait eagerly
The Christian waits eagerly, just as the non-Christan wants to see the true Christians in verse 21. The Christian is waiting eagerly for his full adoption as sons of God that will come upon his glorification. This is not to be confused with us being declared as adopted in verse 15. That was in the present tense when it spoke of our adoption at our justification.

We hope
In verses 24 and 25 the word "hope" is mentioned 5 times. The opposite of futility seems to be hope. And Paul wants to make it clear to us that our lives are about hope. We have been saved in hope. But, hope isn't what we see. It is in the unseen. That needs to be clearly understood that our focus is on the unseen, but the surety of it.


Promise: Tabletalk, June 25, 2014, "Since we know that we will be glorified, we can endure all of our shortcomings in the present, repenting over them as we look forward to what is to come."

Romans 8:19-22 - Cosmic Redemption

Romans 8:19-22 - 19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.

Message: Redemption from Chasing after wind

Time: This book was probably written between 56 and 57 B.C. Paul was in Greece, probably Corinth when he wrote. It was sent to Gentile believers, but also believers with a strong Jewish element.

What the Lord is Saying:

In keeping with the theme from the previous verse, Paul is speaking or having me focus on the fact that my future glory eclipses or has nothing to do with my current suffering. I don't think Paul is saying a Christian must suffer to be counted worthy or in order to be accepted by God, but suffering is a part of being a Christian and as Christ suffered (5:17) then we can expect to suffer as well.


Just yesterday a close friend of mine sent me a text that said, "My wife and I are really hurting." They are really suffering. Their oldest son last year set out for college after his high school graduation. Much to their liking, he ended up attending his parents alma mater.  During the summer he spent time taking classes at the community college so as to be able to enter college practically as a sophomore. He also had taken college level classes in high school to get ready for college. He had been an avid fan of his parents alma mater, going with his father many times to basketball games or college football games or bowl games his dad had gotten tickets for. My son, Tyson, and I had seen my friend, and his son at a game we attended last fall. By all signs he was loving his time at school and was engaged with college life and on his way.

I saw my friend and his son on their way to the Fiesta Bowl, a New Years Day bowl game in Phoenix they had gotten tickets for, in Albuquerque around New Years Eve. My sons friend and I had even started connecting on Twitter. Well, I got disconnected from my friend for most of 2014 and it wasn't until he was due to come into town a couple of weeks ago for an annual golf tournament for one of his insurance clients (which he asked me to join him playing in as I had played last year, but this year didn't because Tyson was coming home from Alaska the same day). But my friend called and mentioned his wife would be in town as well with them so we (my wife and I) and my friend and his wife grabbed a dessert at Flying Star one Wednesday evening. During this time, they let us know some surprising news. Unbeknownst to either of them, toward the end of last fall, their son, in his 1st semester (Fall) at college, at the end of November, stopped attending his classes and determined that college life was not for him. He didn't finish out the year and ended up getting no credit for his classes. He would not be returning to that school in the Spring. He didn't feel like he fit at that school, though his father was able to enroll him in a community college where his father had grown up and even get a full ride scholarship to this community college as well. His son also secured a job. 

Well, then, they learned something they didn't know previously. Their son had been visiting the casino's frequently and had a consistent gambling problem. He eventually dropped out of the community college as well and returned home. He would get another job, get laid off from that one. And continue going to the casino's. He also had a girlfriend, a year younger from him, that was attending another university now. He would see her often. He would come and go at his house and his parents would often not know where he was at for days. He enrolled himself in an online university, paying for it himself. He got another job, but my friend just let me know he just got fired from that job as well this past Tuesday, on the day of my friend's birthday.

Now, my friend is suffering. I really feel for him and am actively praying for him and his wife and their son. It breaks my heart to hear about it. I shared Romans 8:18 with him, even saying that he is experiencing suffering. I encouraged him to keep talking to God. My friend has been a deacon in his church and he and his wife have always been real involved, with his wife leading a bible study for women for many years.

And now I think of these verses today, on the heal of verse 18 and its thought that future glory doesn't compare with present suffering.

All of creation waits
Verse 19 is interesting because it mentions that creation waits. All people wait. Not just Christians, to which Paul has been addressing predominantly in this letter to Rome. People are waiting eagerly for an answer. Every one wants an answer. People choose answers to life they are often comfortable with. People are affected by the environments they grow up in, by the families they come into, by their peer groups.

And Paul specifically says that people wait for the "sons of God." Paul mentioned this in verse 14 to address those individuals who are being led by the Spirit as sons of God. And then this led into a conversation of being in the family of God, of being adopted and how man can now call God father. So Paul is saying that all of creation longs for this level of community or familiarity with the creator. There is passion in faith. This is clearly evident. People have a longing for truth. I see this everywhere. I hear of our missionaries in India that are around Hindu's that get so passionate throughout the year and engaged in their worship of different gods. There are regular Islamic people of faith and then there are radical people exerting out pain in others. Everywhere there is this passion. There is even a longing and passion and fervor of those that say there is no faith. They so badly want people to embrace their thinking. So Paul speaks the truth that there is an anxious longing in creation.

The Sons of God are not the sons of Adam which are the sons of disobedience or the sons of the father of lies in the world. People don't long to be wrong or to be in sin and to be distant from the answer. It is true many people are in this predicament or way of life, but what people long for is truth and to be aligned with truth. 

The other thing that is compelling about this verse is people are looking for sons of God that are of substance. People are God's representatives on this earth and other people are looking at the kind of lives the children of God are living. It is always amazing the admiration that is placed on the lives of Mormon's. Why is this? Because they so clearly stand out in the crowd. They have high morals and good works. They model their faith very well. They have great families. They are very appealing. The problem with many Christians is how much they look like the world. It seems at times that the way we act is no different from anyone else. We don't look any different or act any different. There should be a difference if we are truly sons of God.

Futility
In verse 20, it states, "For the creation was subjected to futility." Solomon often recorded these thoughts, that there is nothing new under the sun. All life is a repeat. Life at times does feel like a progressive act of futility or chasing after the wind.

When I see futility, I wonder why, but Paul clearly sets us straight and states that this is God's doing. We are meant to be dissatisfied with life. What does the Law do again? It exposes our sin and illuminates our sin. It shows us the need we have for a Savior. And all of life is constantly pointing us to that need for something greater. The problem with man is he tries so hard to find his fulfillment in himself or in his fellow man. But, at some point, he discovers this emptiness.

So, to what end? Hope.
We are being moved toward hope. I remember chapter 5 and Paul reminding us as new creatures, upon being justified, that we can now exult in our tribulations. And through that tribulation it produces hope. Verse 21 states, "in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God." It is futile and slavery is a corrupted way of life. Wow, I wish people could see this and discover this.

My atheist friend, Derek, that I speak to, that lives in London. He so badly wants to show me that God is not real. He has that passion for truth. And yet he cannot see the futility. And the hook life has on him, taking him down the road of corruption. His pride is exalted. He thinks I am burdened. I want him so badly to understand the freedom in Christ I have. I have the hope and freedom of the glory (of God).

But life is painful
In verse 22, Paul reiterates (as is his custom) "For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now." The Fall came in the garden. As Paul so clearly pointed out in Chapter 5, verses 12-21, in Adam man sinned and death spread to all. The Fall produced pain in childbirth. It's incomprehensible to think that bearing children possibly would not have produced pain. But, the whole world groans and suffers.

I'm constantly amazed at how often the question is asked, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" I think of a different question: "Why do good thinks happen to bad people?" We are all basically bad, darkened by sin, and none of deserve anything good. It's only by God's grace and mercy that good enters our life. This world groans and suffers, so why are we surprised when it happens to us?

Promise: Tabletalk, June 24, 2014, "One day, the suffering will be over, and this is a day for which even the earth hopes."

Romans 8:18 - The Glory to be Revealed

Romans 8:18 - 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.

Message: Welcome to the future

Time: This book was probably written between 56 and 57 B.C. Paul was in Greece, probably Corinth when he wrote. It was sent to Gentile believers, but also believers with a strong Jewish element.

What the Lord is Saying:


I was looking for a somewhat simple outline of Romans 8. I found this on biblepilot.com.

Romans 8 Outline

1. 8:1-11 Life in the Spirit
1. 8:1-4 Freedom from condemnation
2. 8:5-8 Spiritual vs. fleshly thinking
3. 8:9-11 Indwelling Spirit gives life
2. 8:12-17 We are children of God
1. 8:12-13 Live according to the Spirit
2. 8:14-17 Adopted heirs of God
3. 8:18-30 Future glory eclipses present suffering
1. 8:18-23 Creation subjected to futility. (Gen 3:17-19)
2. 8:24-25 Hope sustains us
3. 8:26-27 Holy Spirit intercedes for us
4. 8:28-30 God’s purpose
4. 8:31-39 God makes Christians victorious
1. 8:31-33 God is on our side
2. 8:34-36 Christ intercedes for us
3. 8:37-39 We are more than conquerors

As I learned previously, the Holy Spirit is mentioned 20 times in this chapter. So, interwoven in this chapter is Sanctification with the Spirit. Chapter 6, to me, was about Sanctification, beyond sin. Chapter 7 was about Sanctification, beyond the Law. How am I to live now that I am in Christ? As I march forward it is always important to not forget what has occurred. I have been justified, righteousness imputed to me, by believing through faith, in accordance with grace. The faith I have is the same faith that all have had throughout the centuries. It is the same faith Abraham had. And going forward it will be the same. God does not change. There are different challenges and circumstance for me here in the 21st century now, but the ways of God are no different.

Verse 1 of chapter 8 continues to be a pivotal verse to me. Despite the fact that I have sinful tendencies as explained at the end of chapter 7, there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. For I have been set free by Christ. And the Law and all it requires has been fulfilled in me, made possible by Christ, walking according to the Spirit (verse 4). So, on this earth I live life in the Spirit. That is the promise and the principle, not always the reality, but the intent and the way.

And verses 5-8 are a reminder that there are two classes of people in the world, those who walk according to the flesh and those who walk according to the Spirit. I must remember this as I walk throughout this world. I am exposed to people walking according to the flesh. In fact, the majority of what I experience are being with these flesh-walkers. And so I'm daily exposed to this. I think, for the Christian, there is a tendency to sequester ourselves from these folks. I'm very proud of my children for being in public school. Has it been hard? Yes. Has it been a challenge? Definitely. But, I believe each one has made a decision to follow Christ. Yet, each one is being challenged each day because they are surrounded by flesh-walkers. But, it is clear the Spirit is with them and there, but the tennis match they are experiencing is also clear. I need to model spirit-walking. They need to see a difference. That is how I am to live throughout life. People need to see that there is a difference between flesh-walking and spirit-walking.

But as I live, please remember, as spoken in verses 9-11, it is the Spirit in me working. The Spirit gives life to those that have the indwelling of the Him.

In verses 12-17, Paul wants me to realize something, I believe, as I think about the life I am now living in the Spirit, not in the flesh. I have the principles and I know the Spirit is the one doing the work through me, but I'm also to know I'm not simple a person in life with the Spirit, but I'm a child; I'm a family member; I have been adopted. I belong with Him. I am a fellow heir. I am included with God. I am close to Him. I am not alone. I am so thankful for the family God has given me because it shows me everyday that I am not alone, but God wants me to know that beyond those relationships, my sonship is with Him. There is a bigger family that I am a member of. On one hand, God helps me see that I am His only child, but on the other hand I know that I have many brothers and sisters. In life, I have an earthly mother and father, wife, child, friend, co-worker. In Christ, we are all brothers and sisters in the family of God. I don't know if I completely comprehend that. But, I want to.

Suffering included
As I come out of this topic of being a child of God, I am reminded that in Christ there is suffering. yes, I am a family member of God. I am a fellow heir. And God's children experience suffering.

I think of the preface to a presentation of the gospel with the words, "God has a wonderful plan for your life." We could also add "suffering" to that and say, "And God has suffering for you." Sounds kind of funny. But, it is true.

Suffering doesn't compare with Glory
And here is an amazing truth. The suffering that I may experience will have nothing to do with the glory that I experience. So, how I may suffer in this present time and the extent of my suffering or degree of my suffering can not even put up next to or compared with the glory that is to come.

I am to remember this. Again, I have been justified and made right with God through Jesus and His death and resurrection. I am right with God. I am justified. I will reside in glorification. In between those moments, God is sanctifying me and making me more holy. Along the way, I will suffer. And that suffering may feel great, but don't for a moment think it is greater or even can compare with the glory that will come and be revealed to me.

Again, I don't comprehend that.

I talk to many people online through the global media outreach ministry and many of them are living in very tough circumstances. They are experiencing many trials and suffering. They are begging and screaming and hoping to be far removed from those circumstances. I guess that is normal. And yet, through those moments, they should be reminded that glory in the future with God will occur and the extent or severity will not even be able to be compared to the extent or severity of the glory they will receive.

I don't know even if I suffer. I live in a safe world. I actually write my life in such a way to avoid any and all suffering. I have all the creature comforts, food on the table, easy access to it, a good job, a healthy family, an active life. Yes, I have some broken things at home. Yes, we just discovered a major leak in a shower. A leak. That is my suffering? It is true, I don't need suffering in order to understand future glory. But, still, I must guard against this safe and comfortable life I live. And yet I fear suffering and I shouldn't.

I don't get it.

Promise: From Tabletalk, June 23, 2014: "It is not that our suffering is on one end of a spectrum and glory is on the other. There is no comparison between the two. The glory to come will far surpass even the best that we can imagine."

Romans 8:16-17 - The Spirit's Internal Witness

Romans 8:16-17 - 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if 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.

Message: The Spirit's Internal Witness or Heirs

Time: This book was probably written between 56 and 57 B.C. Paul was in Greece, probably Corinth when he wrote. It was sent to Gentile believers, but also believers with a strong Jewish element.

What the Lord is Saying:

Leading Up

In the last two verses I studied in Romans (14-15) the idea of connecting my position of being in Christ with now being in the family of God and being adopted was really introduced. I can call my father Abba or in our terms today, Daddy. Paul has made the statement that we are adopted.

Assurance of Adoption

And so now verse 16 confirms this by stating that "the Spirit himself testifies...we are children of God."

I am reminded when I learned how to share my faith through evangelism explosion in high school, we concluded the salvation message with a message of Assurance of Salvation. The truth has been spoken, received, and it was in important to confirm it. We often took people to I John 5:11-12 which says, "And the witness is this that God has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son, he who has the Son has life, he who does not have the Son does not have life." It is important after hearing truth, receiving it, to then hear confirmation that it is real.

Here, in verse 16, Paul wants us to receive the assurance that we are in fact sons of the living God, adopted into God's presence. The Spirit of God confirms that we are children of God. Sometimes he does this in His word and other times, it is as this verse states, where His Spirit ministers or speaks to our spirit.

Heirs
As a child of God, being part of the family, I become an heir to God. In the early part of the Old Testament it comes clear that there is a special blessing upon the first born. There is something extra special about being a first born heir. But, here I learn that each person that receives Christ is an heir. We all receive an equal blessing from God. God is personal. He is our Savior and Lord. He is our friend and we are in the family of God. And Paul clarifies further that we are an heir. We are on equal footing with Christ. Words can't really express what this means. In fact, I don't really comprehend what this could mean for me. It will be something amazing and incredible.

We suffer
However, this means that I will suffer. Once again, as I learned in chapter 5 that I have peace with Christ, I also exult in tribulations. I can look at trials as being a necessary thing in my life. And here also I see suffering as something that I will experience. I know I will be glorified so I also know that I will suffer. It is not an option an something that might occur, but a reality. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, June 12, "The world is ours by legal right, and one day we will possess it in its fulness."