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