Romans 8:18-27    The old nature is gone.. the new creation now lives.. "we are children of God"!  For this reason, Paul says, "I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." 

All that worry, all that fear and anxiety, all that pain and sorrow... all that suffering... whatever it is that we are facing.. is " not worthy to be compared"  to what God has planned for us!  Hallelujah!  "For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.. "  Creation itself is hoping, waiting, groaning, and suffering.. in anticipation of the "freedom" that will come.  "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." 

This is true for me! This body is giving me too much trouble these days... I look forward to the day when what we have hoped in.. what we eagerly wait for.. what creation groans for..  the Day when Jesus comes back again! 

Until then.. oh how glorious.. we have this good news... the Spirit of God also groans.. but His groaning is on our behalf.. "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 groaning too deep for words."  He searches our hearts.  He knows our minds.  He intercedes for us "according to the will of God." 

Father in heaven, Abba, who loves me.. I call upon Your Name and You hear me. I seek Your face and You see me. You know my thoughts.. my fears and worries.. my joys and my love... and I surrender all to You.. have Your way in me.  I am eagerly awaiting that wonderful day when Jesus returns.  And, if you call me home before that Day.. then I will trust You in that too. Let Your peace and comfort be ours today in the midst of our sufferings.. in spite of our groaning.. as we persevere in the hope that You have set before us, in Jesus Christ our risen Lord, to whom all glory and honor and praise belongs!  In His holy name we come. Spirit of God pray for us today. Amen. 

 Romans 8:1-17  Good News!  "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."!!! We who were in bondage to sin.. have now died to that relationship and have been born again.. risen with Christ into life that is new and pure and righteous. "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death."!  Hallelujah!

Verse 3-4 "For 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, in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who doe not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." 

Before.. we lived according to the flesh.. setting our minds on the flesh (v5); finding the outcome of that mindset to be death (v6); we were "hostile towards God" (v7);  unwilling and unable to keep the Law; (v7);  and unable to please God. (v8). 

But, now, in Christ.. we live according to the Spirit; (v4) setting our minds on "the things of the Spirit". (v5);  finding that outcome to bring life and peace (v6).  "And 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 indwells you." (v11). 

We, who have believed in Jesus and have received His Spirit.. now belong to Him.  We can put "to death the deeds of the body"; we are led by His Spirit and "are sons of God".  We have received "a spirit of adoption.. by which we cry out, 'Abba Father'!"  His Spirit is the witness, testifying to our own spirit that we are now children of God.  And more.. we are heirs of God; fellow heirs with Christ... 

Amazing grace!

Father, bring us fully into this wonderful truth.. knowing that this is who You say we are when we believe and follow Jesus. We are Yours.  Thank You for this amazing and wonderful grace. Amen

 Romans 7 Paul starts this difficult section with a simple illustration.. marriage.   A woman who is married is legally bound to her husband while he is alive. But, if he dies, she is no longer bound by law.  She is "free" to marry again if she chooses to do so.  Paul says that this is a similar relationship that  Jewish believers have to the Law.  They were bound to the Law until they died to it.  They died to the Law "through the body of Christ".. and then were joined to Him "who was raised from the dead... "

The Law.. while holy and righteous and good.. was not able to set anyone free from sin or death.  Instead, the Law "aroused" the "sinful passions" of the flesh. ( v5) 

The Law revealed.. or made known what sin is.. ".. I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, 'You shall not covet'." (v7)

The Law also brought about death.. because once sin was defined, it took over "taking every opportunity through the commandment producing in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead." (v8)  This reminds me of Adam and Eve in the garden.. until the commandment to not eat of the one tree.. it wasn't a temptation.. but when the command was given, then there was an opportunity to sin.. and they sinned.   It also makes me think of a small child.. who once they are told "No!".. can't seem to stop themselves from doing whatever it was they weren't supposed to do... We can all relate!

The Law that "was to result in life, proved to result in death.. " Paul writes. (v10)  This was not the fault of the Law, Paul continues.. "Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful." (v13)

This becomes a real struggle for every one of us, Paul says.  We want to do what is right, but don't. We don't want to do what is wrong.. but we do. Paul confesses that "the principle that evil is present in me" is the problem.. He wants to keep the Law.. agreeing with God, but he sees "a different law in the members of [his] body, waging war against the law of [his] mind, making [him] a prisoner of the law of sin.. " (v21-23)

This brings about despair.. "Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of death?" Paul cries out.. and God answers!  "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (v25) 

Jesus is the answer to our dilemma.  This is why we are to consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to Him.  He is our only hope and He died to set us free! Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Father in heaven, thank You for revealing sin to us.. for the Light of Your Word that uncovers the depth of sin and the cords of death that it brings to every one of us.  Thank You for showing us grace.. the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ the Lord.. that through His death and resurrection we have been set free.. forgiven.. reconciled.. cleansed.. and made righteous as we  put our faith in Him. Help us to live holy and blameless lives, forever kept in Your Spirit.. walking in Your Truth.. abiding in Jesus always.  We ask this in His Name. Amen.

 Romans 6  Paul made the comparison between Adam, the man through whom sin entered the world; and Jesus the one Man, through whom grace abounds.  Now, he makes another comparison.. between being a slave to sin and being a slave to righteousness. 

We all start out the same... in slavery.. under the reign of sin and death.  Our "members".. our bodies.. are "instruments of unrighteousness".. given to "impurity and lawlessness".  We are weak.. and headed for destruction. 

But.... when we come to Jesus.. everything changes!  We die to sin..  ".. do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life."  (v3-4)   To be baptized "into"  Christ is to be identified with Him.. to be overwhelmed by Him.. taking on His "likeness".   We "become united with Him in the likeness of His death.. also in the likeness of His resurrection." (v5) We are radically and completely changed forever!

Our old selves.. our  "body of sin"  is "done away with".  We are no longer slaves to sin.. we are freed! We are dead to that past life.  It no longer is master over us.   Like Christ, our example, in likeness to Him.. we are to "consider [ourselves] to be dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus." (v11)  The word "consider" here is the same as "reckon" in chapter 4.. Count.. account.. conclude.. impute.. think!

We no longer present our bodies to do sin.. but we present our bodies "to God as those alive from the dead, and [our] members as instruments of righteousness to God." (v13)  We "present" ourselves to God as His slaves.. "obedient from the heart".. which will result in "sanctification"...  purity.. holiness.. wholeness. And this will bring about the final outcome of "eternal life". 

If we remain slaves to sin.. the outcome.. "the wages"... is death.  If we become slaves to God, by the "free gift" found though Jesus Christ.. we will have eternal life. This is His promise!

Father in heaven,  You are so good to us.. providing us freedom from the mastery of sin and giving us newness of life through Jesus Christ.  And not only that, but making us "like" Him eternally!  Hallelujah! What a Savior!   May we.. help us to.. continually abide in this attitude and relationship of submission, under the authority of our Master!  May we always obey You from our hearts.  Sanctify us through and through .. may our spirits, souls, and bodies be "preserved complete, without blame at the coming the Lord Jesus Christ." You are faithful and You will bring it to pass!  ( I Thes. 5:23) Amen!

 Romans 5:12-21  Paul gives us a side-by-side comparison between Adam, "one man... through whom sin entered into the world.."  and Jesus, the ".. one Man"  who brings grace... reconciliation.. salvation.. justification.. Life!

Adam sinned (v12)

Sin brought death 

Death spread to all men because all sinned;

Death reigned;(v14)

The "transgression of the one..." brought death to many; (v15)

Judgement "arose.. resulting in condemnation"; (v16)

One man's disobedience.. caused "the many" to be sinners. (v19)

And.. sin increased. (v20)

Jesus brought the "free gift"!

Grace abounds! (v15)

"The free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification." (v16)

"... much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ." (v 17)

"One act of righteousness.. resulted in justification of life to all men." (v18)

One Man's obedience .. makes many "righteous". (v 19)

Grace abounds more and more! (v20)

Grace "reigns through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (v21)

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Father in heaven, You are good.. ready to forgive.. kind and compassionate.. sending Your Son, the Lamb of God, sacrificed on a cross of death.. to bring us to Life.  How amazing is Your grace towards us that while we were sinners.. enemies.. condemned and helpless.. Jesus came to die for us.  We are so thankful for such a perfect and great Savior and Lord. Reign in us Lord Jesus.. that we might abound in Your grace.. in righteousness.. and in love, sharing  this Good News with those who are still living in darkness, under the reign of death.  Let Your Kingdom come! Shine through Your people that the world might find the hope that is in Christ Jesus! Amen!

 Romans 5: 1-11  We, who believe in Jesus Christ.. that He died for our sins.. that He rose again.. demonstrating the righteousness of God, and that God reckons our faith as righteousness.. now "have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."   We have an "introduction".. or admission "into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God." (v1-2) 

But, this is just the beginning of what God intends for us who belong to Him! "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations.. " What!?  Yes.. that's right. He said "exult"... leap for joy? rejoice greatly? be jubilant and triumphant? Glory in our tribulations? 

Yes, because.. Paul writes, ".. knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (v3-5) Paul will get back to that theme in chapter 8.. but before that... 

He wants us to think about what Jesus has already done for us.. "For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.. But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (v6,8)  We were helpless. We were sinners. We were without hope.. until Jesus came and died for us.. in our place.. for our sins. 

However, there is "much more"  that He will do for us who have been "justified"... for "we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.." (v9)  Paul goes on to say, "For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." (v10) Reconciled.. changed.. restored.. differences adjusted.. an exchange made.  And then, MORE!  We shall be "saved" - the Greek word here is sozo- delivered; protected;healed;preserved;made whole.  In His death we are justified and reconciled.. but in His life we are saved.. made complete in every way.  

"And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have now received the reconciliation." 

Yes, Father, we exult You. We rejoice greatly and leap for joy at the truth of Your Holy Word.. that Jesus Christ died for our justification.. even while we were helpless, hopeless, sinners.. enemies.  How amazing is Your Grace to us! Our hope is in You.. in Your righteousness and glory... in Your grace and mercy!  We give all praise to Your Name.  Thank You Jesus for giving us this wonderful peace with God our Father, for providing the Way for us to be reconciled and saved from the wrath that we deserved. Thank You for giving to us even more than we could ask or imagine.. for we didn't even know to ask for such mercy and grace.. and You gave it to us anyway.  You are a great God and You love us so.. Words are not enough to thank You.  We love You. Hallelujah and Amen! 

 Romans 4 Paul begins this chapter talking about Abraham.. "For what does Scripture say? And Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."  This word "reckon" is the central theme of Paul's argument here.  It comes from the Greek word "logizomal" which is translated as reckon, account, estimate, conclude, count, impute, etc. Its root word is logos- which we know means something spoken.. the word.. but can also mean a computation, an account,  a motive, or a thought.  John wrote, " In the beginning was the Word.. ( the Logos) and the Word was with God and the Word was God." (1:1)

God "reckoned" Abraham's faith.. "as righteousness".  He took account of Abraham's faith.. He imputed it.. counted it.. and concluded it.. He spoke.. He said.. He declared it.. "his faith is reckoned as righteousness."  Perfect, amazing, wonderful Grace!

Paul is careful to explain that it was not "to the one who works"... and  "not through the Law".. that Abraham was declared righteous.. "For this reason it is by faith, that it might be in accordance with grace, in order that the promise may be certain to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of all." (v16)

Abraham's faith was not in the Law.. for it had not been given yet.  His faith was not in his circumcision.. for that happened afterward as a "seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised.." No, Abraham "in hope against hope.. believed".  He believed that God would keep His promise to make him the father of nations, even though he was 100 years old and his wife was way past childbearing years. Abraham believed in what God would do.. something that he had no way of doing in his own power.. and it was this belief that God reckoned to him as righteousness. 

Therefore, Paul writes, we can have the full assurance that God will do the same for us.. He will reckon our faith.. ".. as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, He who was delivered up because of our transgressions and was raised because of our justification." (v24-25).

"Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account." (v7-8 )Or as the NASB says, "How blessed is the man to who the Lord does not impute iniquity."  Paul quotes the Psalm of David (Psalm 32)  

He does not reckon us sinful, guilty, vile, unrighteous, wicked..anymore!  He provided the sacrifice.. the "propitiation in His blood".. and we receive that gift of righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ the One who died for us! Hallelujah! What a Savior! He has "reckoned" us as righteous! 

Father in heaven, Holy and Righteous God, You are just and the justifier for all who will believe in Jesus. We can not work for righteousness. We can not earn it and do not deserve it.. but You have reckoned our faith in Jesus Christ.. taking account of His sacrifice... and imputing it to our accounts. How can we thank You enough? We praise You and bless Your holy Name.  Thank You! Amen and amen!