Friday, July 24, 2009

A First Person Reading of Romans Eight

You may have enjoyed this series of essays on Romans 8, even learned a number of facts that you didn’t understand before; but do you feel that you own this chapter? Does it hold an important place in your life? Does a better understanding of it motivate you to share it with others? If this has been only a study of theology, no matter how thoroughly you have learned this chapter, you still have a long way to go. You need to keep studying until you make this chapter your own. I began my study of Romans with the greatest of interest in the spring of 1951 and was so moved by it that I entered the ministry that summer, compelled to share it with others for the next 58 years. While I was learning Romans, this inspired letter was possessing me. This series of essays on chapter eight is the culmination of my effort and the crowing achievement of my ministry. All along I have thought that these essays are too brief and simple, but in my heart I know this is the best way to teach. Wasn’t this how Jesus taught? And wasn’t this Paul’s method—even in a difficult letter like Romans? His themes are lofty and logical, yet simple and profound, and so appealing to the hearts of those who have hearts for God that anyone who tries will find the necessary food for a spiritual life. I want everyone who has been with me in this study to learn what I have learned and to enjoy the experiences I have had in this—the greatest letter ever written.

In this, the last essay on Romans 8, I am asking you to make a journey by yourself through this, the most encouraging chapter in the Bible. Read the verses as they are presented, study the comments following each reading, and pause to reflect and pray over what you have read. Set your mind to learn and to gain the great blessings of this chapter. When you feel that you must share what you have gained with others, you will know that your heart has been captured by the Holy Spirit and you will be closer to the Lord than you have ever been. You will have faith and joy beyond all you have ever known. If you chose to share your experiences with me, I will add your response to my next essay and thank you for your contribution to our study. May God bless you abundantly on your journey.

1Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11But 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.

“No condemnation!” Is this true? Why then have I felt guilty and condemned? I realize now that it is because I didn’t have faith enough to accept God’s grace and what my Savior has done for me. True believers are free from the sins of their past and their forgiveness is free for the asking. If the Spirit has set me free from the rule of sin and death, I am “free indeed,” as Jesus said. Jesus didn’t come to condemn me but to condemn the sin in me. I believe this. I accept this. There is no reason for me ever to feel condemned again. My mind goes back to my early life, my church connection and the guilt built up in my by those who influenced my life, but that was then; it has nothing to do with my present peace and joy in Christ. Jesus has given me life through His Spirit who dwells in me; I am content to live this life and forget the past. “Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

12So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh-- 13for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15For 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!" 16The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and 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.

So then, I have no obligation to my flesh but to the Spirit, who puts to death the passions and deeds of my body and gives me life. I gladly receive my adoption and joyfully call God my Father. I have no concern about what others may think of my faith and church affiliation, except that I want to be an example for Christ. I have two witnesses that I am a child of God—the Holy Spirit and my spirit. I shall never doubt this. Thank God, I am free.
18For 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. 19For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23And 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. 24For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

I have taken my suffering far too seriously. The whole creation suffers, waiting to be delivered. Those who have the first fruits of the Spirit have always suffered while waiting for the redemption of their bodies. I cannot, by my own will, arrange to have a life of peace and joy, but I can live in hope and with patience for it. In this way I am led by the Holy Spirit and not just trying to please my flesh. My hope is in Christ, and I intend to staying close to Him. This is my life. In this life of confusion and conflict, thank God for hope.

26In 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; 27and 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. 28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are (called according to His purpose. 29For 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; 30and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

Prayer has always been a problem for me. Am I really talking to God or to myself? Do I have sufficient faith to expect God to hear and answer? Am I really praying of just saying prayers? What happens when I get quiet and start to pray but can’t find the words? I must believe that the Holy Spirit intercedes for me, even when I can only groan. God knows my heart and He will attend to my need.

God causes all things in my life to work together for my good because I love Him and He has called me according to His purpose. I shall be glad in His will and not be sad in mine. It is so good to know that in His foreknowledge I was predestined (appointed) to be justified, sanctified and glorified. Praise Him for His glorious grace!

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us? 35Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36Just as it is written, “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." 37But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

How can I possibly thank God enough? What shall I say? How can I express, or even comprehend, my position in Christ, who set me free and gave me such blessings? In this position, who can be against me? God delivered His own Son to die for me, and He adopted me as His son; this nullifies all the charges others may bring against me. God justified me; it is not possible that anyone could condemn me. To do so would be to nullify God’s grace and overturn His decree, and this is not possible. Christ is on my side, interceding for me, why should anyone presume to have power over His intercession? In all things I will be given strength to overwhelmingly conquer through Christ who loves me. Thank God, I have joy unspeakable and full of glory.

This is what this chapter says and this is what it means! I must remember this and never again question my position in Christ or my standing with God. If you are right with God you are a righteous person, and you may make this great chapter your own. It will give you assurance and comfort and empower you for the rest of your life.

Thus ends our study of Romans eight. Has it been helpful?

I have been posting these True Beleier Essays weekly for six months and have not received a single comment. If anyone is reading them and would like to continue doing so, please let me know and I will continue posting them. Otherwise, this will be the last essay posted. ____________________________
Joel sent me the following quotation after my last essay on unspeakable joy. “Spiritual joy is: The settled conviction that God sovereignly controls the events of life for the believers’ good and His glory. Spiritual joy is not an attitude dependent on chance or circumstance. It is the deep and abiding confidence that regardless of one’s circumstances in life, all is well between the believer and the Lord.--John MacArthur

Friday, July 17, 2009

Your Joy is Unspeakable

5. You Joy is Unspeakable (vs. 31-39)

Review: Your freedom is complete. Your adoption is final. Your hope is sure. Your help is unlimited. Your joy is unspeakable.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us? 35Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36Just as it is written, “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." 37But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
You must believe that you are secure in God’s grace before you can be assured of your standing with Him. If you truly believe the word of God you will have this assurance. “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:1, 2). If you are right with God, you are righteous, and with Paul, you can say, “His grace is sufficient for me” (2 Cor. 12:9). Christians are always quoting Paul saying, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” and “His grace is sufficient for me,” without giving enough thought to their actual standing with God. This reminds me of my little cousin who, intending to invoke God’s will said, “Lord we will go to grandma’s Sunday.”

If you are in Christ and confident of your standing with God, you are a righteous person, entitled to God’s blessings of grace, which include the freedom, adoption, hope, help and joy that we read about in this chapter. Having covered the first four of these subjects in previous essays, I now have the privilege of sharing with you the “unspeakable joy” that is yours by virtue of your calling. Following are Paul’s assurances of your security:

1. God is for you, just as all good father look after their children; who could possibly defeat you?
2. God gave His own Son for you; will He not also with Him give you all things?
3. Jesus died, was raised up and now intercedes for you before the Father; you are safe and secure in Him.
4. God justified you; no one can successfully condemn you in His presence.
5. Christ’s death and resurrection for you is your assurance that He loves you.
6. With this love and protection, nothing can separate you from God’s love.
7. You are more than capable of overcome anything that comes against you.
8. All of this is yours if you are right with God—if you are a righteous person.

How you feel at any given time neither reflects nor determines your standing with God. If you are right with Him you are a righteous person; your standing with God is based on what Jesus did for you, not what you have done for Him. This should give you assurance and overflowing joy, both for your own pleasure and as a witness to others of God’s love, Jesus’ sacrifice and your own new life in Christ.

If you are right with God you are righteous, and you may be sure of this: Your joy is unspeakable.

Joy Unspeakable , Words and Music by Barney E. Warren, 1900


I have found His grace is all complete, He supplieth ev’ry need; While I sit and learn at Jesus’ feet,I am free, yes, free indeed.

Refrain: It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Full of glory, full of glory, It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Oh, the half has never yet been told.

I have found the pleasure I once craved, It is joy and peace within; What a wondrous blessing! I am savedFrom the awful gulf of sin.

Refrain: It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Full of glory, full of glory, It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Oh, the half has never yet been told.

I have found that hope so bright and clear, Living in the realm of grace; Oh, the Savior’s presence is so near,I can see His smiling face.

Refrain: It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Full of glory, full of glory, It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Oh, the half has never yet been told.

I have found the joy no tongue can tell, How its waves of glory roll! It is like a great o’er flowing well, Springing up within my soul.

Refrain: It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Full of glory, full of glory, It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Oh, the half has never yet been told.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Your Hope is Certain

Assurance of the Righteous
Romans 8

Your Hope is Certain (vs.18-25)

Review: Your freedom is complete. Your adoption is final. Your hope is certain.

18For 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. 19For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23And 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. 24For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
We all suffer and see our loved ones suffer, but suffering is not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed to us. (As strange as it might seem, at this point my phone rang; it was my wife calling from Arkansas where she is visiting a brother in a hospice who is dying of a very serious blood condition. Another brother died last month.) Suffering is not just for the afflicted but for those also who care for them. Add to this the unnecessary suffering people inflict on one another and you have our dangerous and suffering world. Even those who are saved and bear spiritual fruit suffer with the anxious creation as we wait for the redemption of our bodies. This glorious event is in our future, but since hope is “confident expectation,” it is real to those who have faith and are eagerly waiting for it. If we had already experienced our bodily redemption, we would not be living in hope but in reality, but not seeing it we groan as we wait eagerly for it. Isn’t it wonderful how Paul words this? We all suffer together in our present bodies. We persevere together as we wait eagerly for our redemption. We will be delivered into new bodies in freedom and glory. We accept this by faith; Jesus said He would come for us and we believe He will!
We expect certain things of others but we can’t always be confident that they will perform. People are unpredictable and life is uncertain. Doesn’t it hurt to be disappointed? Don’t we feel badly when we let others down? Perhaps all we can be sure of are death and taxes, but while we wait for April 15th and the end of life, we have God’s promise that our bodies will be redeemed and we will enjoy freedom and glory with Him because we are His children. We must suffer and wait with all of creation, but the glorious day will come when we are safely at home with our Father. Paul assures us that this hope is certain by saying, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13). “By the power of the Hoy Spirit,” how assuring!

If you are right with God you are righteous, and you may be sure of this: Your hope is certain.
______________________
Lisa wrote regarding my last essay (Your Adoption is Final): " I always have to work to remind myself that I’m not striving for my freedom, it is mine. I can honestly say that I didn’t 'get' the concept of grace until about four years ago. My thinking before was like a math or computer programming conditional IF/THEN statement: IF (I do certain things and don’t do others), THEN (I will go to heaven). Now I know that if I have faith and live righteously I can claim the gift that I have already been given!”

You are so right, Lisa. Paul said. “The righteous man shall live by faith” or “He who through faith is righteous shall live.” We gained our righteousness (our right standing with God) by faith and we live righteous lives by faith. In the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed “from faith to faith.” One needs help to fail in understanding a clear statement like this, and we had plenty of help didn’t we?

Saturday, July 4, 2009

The Church's Jubilee

“Jubilee” 1 a special anniversary, especially one celebrating twenty-five or fifty years of something. 2 In Jewish history, a year of emancipation and restoration, kept every fifty years. Perhaps the church’s jubilee could be Pentecost Sunday, since this is her birthday. For independent congregations it could be the anniversary of their establishment—their annual home coming. The Church of God Reformation Movement conducted annual camp meetings for many years, in which they celebrated their heritage and sang the many wonderful hymns written by their gifted musicians. Many Churches have annual conventions and lectureships in which they celebrate by being together and sharing their progress. Such occasions are times of joyful fellowship and worship. I’m not suggesting that the church establish an annual jubilee on the order of the Jewish celebration, but I do lament the absence of celebration and worship in the church and suggesting that it be restored. For years I have been deeply moved by Charles Naylor’s The Church’s Jubilee, which has stirred many hearts and caused many minds to consider the need for Christian unity and worship. On this, our National Independence Day, as we celebrate our freedom, I share this great hymn with you. Rejoice and celebrate with me on this special day. Lacy

The Church’s Jubilee

1. The light of eventide now shines the darkness to dispel,The glories of fair Zion’s state ten thousand voices tell;For out of Babel God doth call His scattered saints in one,Together all one church compose, the body of His Son.

Refrain

2. O church of God, the day of jubileeHas dawned so bright and glorious for thee;Rejoice, be glad! Thy Shepherd has begunHis long-divided flock again to gather into one.

Refrain

3. The Bible is our rule of faith, and Christ alone is Lord,All we are equal in His sight when we obey His word;No earthly master do we know, to man-rule will not bow,But to each other and to God eternal trueness vow.

Refrain

4. The day of sects and creeds for us forevermore is past,Our brotherhood are all the saints upon the world so vast;We reach our hands in fellowship to every blood-washed one,While love entwines about each heart in which God’s will is done.

Refrain

5. Oh, blessed truth that broke our bands! In it we now rejoice,While in the holy church of God we hear our Savior’s voice;And gladly to His blessed will submissive we shall be,And from the yokes of Babel’s lords from henceforth we are free.

Refrain

Friday, July 3, 2009

Your Adoption is Final

Assurance of the Righteous
Romans 8

2. Your Adoption is Final (vs. 12-17)

Review: Your freedom is complete. Your adoption is final.
12So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh-- 13for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15For 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!" 16The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and 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.
In Roman times, with all the destructive wars, there were many broken homes and orphans. Children were destitute and mothers could not provide for them when their fathers went off to war. Adoption laws were established to provide for these destitute children. A father or guardian would find someone who wanted to adopt his child and the child would be brought before the prospective father, who, in the presence of witnesses would be asked if he wanted to adopt the child. If he gave an affirmative reply, both parties would make certain vows and the child would belong to his new father, who would be as much his father as his biological father was. Paul draws on this reality to assure believers that we have been adopted by the heavenly Father, who regards us as His children, even entitling us to His inheritance along with His Son Jesus. Wonderful things happened on the occasion of our adoption. Our obligation to our baser nature, which was leading us to death, ended as the Holy Spirit put our old nature and its deeds to death and gave us a new nature. We may be certain of our adoption because there were two witnesses, “The Holy Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Furthermore, we are “led by the Spirit” and we have received “a spirit of adoption.” Like the child in the Roman situation, we too call out to God, saying, “Father, Father,” as we recognize our new Father and acknowledge our sonship. (Preachers have made too much of the word “Abba,” saying that it is a term of endearment, such as “papa” or “daddy,” and even have us sitting on God’s lap calling Him daddy. (It’s strange how a “fuzzy” idea like this gets started and then encompasses the globe. I heard it preached during the Charismatic Revival 25 years ago. But the word is Chaldee and means nothing more than “father.” We have no way of knowing why Paul repeated the word in two languages). Our adoption made us heirs of God and entitled us to the same inheritance as His first born Son.
But our loving Father asks something of us. We must suffer with Christ that we may also be glorified with Him. We suffer, not for suffering’s sake but in the course of enduring whatever obstacles we encounter. Would you want it any other way? Do you expect the Father to swing low in a sweet chariot and sweep you up to glory, after seeing His natural Son suffer the ultimate abuse and die on a cross? We have our Father’s assurance that we will go where Jesus is; we are also told that we will have to go the way He went—through suffering and endurance. “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest....Let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we might receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need”(Heb. 4:11, 16 ). Doesn’t this make you want to shout, “Father! Father!?” If it does not, you should have a talk with your Father and see if you can’t renew your relationship with Him. Whatever sorrow and suffering you have to bear in this life is more than outweighed by your blessings as a child of God. Paul writes of those whose loved ones die in Christ, “We do want you to be informed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope” (1 Thes. 4:13).
You may be unhappy with those who have been rude or unfair to you. You may dislike those who have failed to understand and encourage you. Your brothers and sisters, both in your physical and spiritual families, may have mistreated you, but if you are an obedient child of the Father who loves and adopted you, He will make all things right. You will love and praise Him for being so good to you. If you are right with God you are righteous, and you may be sure of this: Your adoption is final.

Sharon wrote the following: “I particularly like the fact that this lesson reiterates the fact that we can’t do anything but that He has done it for us. That is one of the hardest concepts I have in Christianity. I have a hard time remembering or accepting it sometimes. This is a good reminder and a good lesson. It is hard sometimes to remember that God is a loving God and is not out to get us. This lesson is also a good reminder that he doesn’t condemn us but our sin.”
Comment: King David understood this principle long before Jesus came. He wrote, “You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it ...The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Ps. 51:16, 17). David was deeply convicted of his sins and came to God with a broken heart for forgiveness and healing. God forgave and restored him, and afterward called him, “A man after my own heart.” Then Jesus came and presented Himself to God as a sin offering saying, “Father forgive then.” We are saved, not by what we do but by what Jesus did for us. We love Him for this and remain faithful to Him, knowing that our sins are forgiven forever. Many of us were so conditioned by trying to work our way to salvation, and so guilty because we couldn’t do it that we lived in doubt and guilt rather than in faith and assurance. We should be living in eternal gratitude and joy, knowing that God accepted us and is keeping us for eternity, As to God’s part and our part in our salvation, let’s just say that God acts and we react. We don’t initiate the process, we only respond to the Initiator. Jesus said, “No one can come to me, unless the Father who sent me draws him” (John 6:44). And Peter said, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (I Pet. 1:3-5). In the initiation phase, we have no part at all; in the response phase, it is up to us to respond. I hope this will help those who are fixated on obeying laws and plans, and free them from the burden of always trying to do something to get right with God.
I appreciate comments, they tell me that my essays are being read and are doing what I send them out to do. Thank you much.