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ROMANS: Intro: Chap. 1 Chap. 2 Chap. 3 Chap.4 Chap.5 Chap.6 Chap.7 Chap.8 "In my own words" Ch 9 Chs.9-11 text
ROMANS: Intro: Chap. 1 Chap. 2 Chap. 3 Chap.4 Chap.5 Chap.6 Chap.7 Chap.8 "In my own words" Ch 9 Chs.9-11 text
ROMANS CHAPTER EIGHT
_PREFACE TO CHAPTER EIGHT
Supposing one day you visited a friend who was in the process of making a cake. You watch carefully as all the ingredients are mixed together and see the mix placed in the oven. After an hour or so, your friend offers you a piece of this freshly baked cake. It is absolutely delicious.
“Wouldn’t it be great to have this cake at home”, you think So you ask for the recipe, which your friend is more than glad to let you have.
The next day you get all the ingredients and begin putting them together. Half way through the mix you have a feeling that it isn’t looking quite like your friends mix. However, you soldier on. Then having mixed all the ingredients you bake it in the oven at gas mark 6 for an hour or so as required. But alas when you come to taste the cake it is nothing like the cake that your friend produced.
“What has gone wrong” you ask yourself
The only thing to do is check out the recipe. Did you have all the right ingredients? “Oh!. Oh! what’s that? Margarine? I just used cooking fat. Oh! Oh! when did I mix in the egg, at the beginning or the end? Is that gas mark 6 or 8? looks like six, probably 8, better check with my friend.”
I have no idea if such a scenario is true regarding the details of baking such a cake, for I personally know nothing about cooking, but I do know something about the christian life and I have come to see that Romans chapter 8 is the recipe for victorious christian living. Sadly, all too few folk who profess to be living the christian life even know the contents of this chapter. Consequently they often wonder why their christian life isn’t all that they thought it was supposed to be. Is it time for you to check out the recipe?
Then here it is. Why not learn this chapter by heart. It will be the most valuable task that you are ever likely to put your memory to. That’s a promise!
Supposing one day you visited a friend who was in the process of making a cake. You watch carefully as all the ingredients are mixed together and see the mix placed in the oven. After an hour or so, your friend offers you a piece of this freshly baked cake. It is absolutely delicious.
“Wouldn’t it be great to have this cake at home”, you think So you ask for the recipe, which your friend is more than glad to let you have.
The next day you get all the ingredients and begin putting them together. Half way through the mix you have a feeling that it isn’t looking quite like your friends mix. However, you soldier on. Then having mixed all the ingredients you bake it in the oven at gas mark 6 for an hour or so as required. But alas when you come to taste the cake it is nothing like the cake that your friend produced.
“What has gone wrong” you ask yourself
The only thing to do is check out the recipe. Did you have all the right ingredients? “Oh!. Oh! what’s that? Margarine? I just used cooking fat. Oh! Oh! when did I mix in the egg, at the beginning or the end? Is that gas mark 6 or 8? looks like six, probably 8, better check with my friend.”
I have no idea if such a scenario is true regarding the details of baking such a cake, for I personally know nothing about cooking, but I do know something about the christian life and I have come to see that Romans chapter 8 is the recipe for victorious christian living. Sadly, all too few folk who profess to be living the christian life even know the contents of this chapter. Consequently they often wonder why their christian life isn’t all that they thought it was supposed to be. Is it time for you to check out the recipe?
Then here it is. Why not learn this chapter by heart. It will be the most valuable task that you are ever likely to put your memory to. That’s a promise!
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CHAPTER 8
1. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if you live after the flesh, you shall die: but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who has subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees why does he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 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. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For your sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
"Therefore"
This is the greatest chapter in the Bible. Every aspect of the Christian life can be seen in Romans ch 8. John, when trying to finalise his gospel, declared that all the libraries of the world would not contain all that could be written. To those who delight in studying the word of God, such a sentiment could well be reflected here. To attempt to fully expound this chapter in “note” form, could only be the aspiration of a fool or a genius and by now you will know that the author is no genius.
The first four words of the chapter could well need an explanation of the whole of scripture to be expounded sufficiently. ‘There is therefore now...’’ - at last we have reached the summit of what God planned since Genesis. (see page 71-72) This word ‘‘therefore,” reminds us of the many ‘‘Therefore’s’’ in Romans. This shows that the gospel is reasonable, for it has been designed and created by the same mind that made the universe. This should make us realise that if the world of Laws and Designs has been so wonderfully made, yet it is only temporary, how much more perfectly designed should God’s way of salvation be, which He designed for eternity. God is no cowboy builder and our salvation is built to endure. and to fit the need perfectly. As science has discovered that everything works because of ‘‘Laws’’ so the Gospel is set upon Laws also. We have two more mentioned in the first few verses of this chapter; The “Law of Sin and Death” and the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus” We have already seen the following three ways in which God has revealed Himself to man. We can also call them ‘‘laws’ a, Law of Nature b, The Moral Law - Conscience. c, The Law of Moses, It is the spiritual world that controls the physical world. When we brake the spiritual laws, the physical laws are affected, and the world fails to function as it was designed to. Thus sin has caused havoc in the world. Man is fundamentally a spiritual being. Martin Lloyd Jones once said something to this effect, that “Man is not a monkey getting better, but a spiritual being out of contact with spiritual life-source.” To those three laws we now add two more;. d, The Law of Sin and Death. e, The Law of the Spirit- Life in Christ. (Romans 3:27 calls it “The Law of Faith”) Each Law is based upon the previous one. The Law of Sin and Death is based upon, a, b, and c. These state that man is a sinner by nature and practice. There are many ways of defining Sin e.g. Sin is the breaking of the law, or straying from the set path, or missing the target. Just as the law of gravity says that what goes up must come down, so the law of “ sin and death” says that sin results in death. That means spiritual death, - the end of spiritual life, or contact with God and the world of the Spirit, in which God lives. However the Law of Sin and Death is not the final dismal end, there is good news which declares that men can come ‘‘alive ’’ again to God and into his spiritual kingdom. But if men can’t stop sinning, how can that be possible, if every time he sins, he cuts himself off from God and his life? Can the law of “sin & death” be destroyed? No, for it is just as much a law as the law of gravity. Here we have the answer; There is another law which overcomes that law, just as there is a law which says that a bird can fly, regardless of the Law of gravity. Spiritual Laws
If you were to throw a bird and a stone into the air at the same time, what would happen? The stone would fall and the bird would fly. (if it was alive of course)
The stone falls, because of the Law of Gravity. The Bird is set free from that law, by a higher law of aerodynamics. The law of aerodynamics, which sets the bird free, does not disprove or abolish the law of gravity, but it overcomes it. In ourselves, we are dead, but in Christ we are alive. Because of our Faith we fly like the butterfly mentioned earlier into the realm of the Spirit, where there is life in Christ. We leave the world of sin and death and rise like the bird to a world where our sin does not separate us from God. For we have died and we are alive now in Christ. Hallelujah!! The law of the Spirit, of life in Christ, has set us free from the law of sin and death. God has done it all for us, so now we are as righteous, in Christ, as though we had kept the whole law. The Law still remains unchanged and eternal to judge those who are not ‘‘in Christ.’’ The problem now is to remain in that spiritual zone where all this is true. To do that you must ‘‘live by faith’’ Chapter 8 is similar, but different from chapter 5. Both deal with overcoming the problems that a child of God has in this world, with Tribulations and sin.
Chapter 5 can be seen as from man's view point and chapter 8 can be seen as God sees Tribulations and Sin. Both have their source in Satan, the accuser of the brethren. His aim is to separate man from God by breaking his faith, so when his permitted power operates to send tribulation or cause us to sin, he immediately put in our minds lies, to make us believe that our relationship with God has broken down either temporally or permanently. So, if we know what God says we are, as his children, then we should live in the realm that God declares is light and truth. God knows that the Devil has charge of our bodies, which has sinful appetites. But God declares in this chapter that as far as he is concerned our bodies are dead, because sin brought death. Our flesh has no contact with God. Any effort in the flesh will fail to bring us to God. God, sort of, ignores all that the devil has in his domain, that is- our flesh and our sinful nature. He knows that is inevitable for us being Adam's descendants. He has devised a completely new form of life in a new environment all together from this world. His children are born, not of Adam but of His own Holy Spirit. we are new, and totally different creations, for we are not in the flesh but we are alive in Christ Jesus, and we live before God continually in Christ, just as He lives continually in God. In this environment Satan cannot touch us; check this verse. He can access and live through our old nature but certainly not our new one. God is only interested in our new one. I Jn 5:18 18 We know that whosoever is born of God does not sin; but he that is begotten of God keeps himself, and that wicked one touches him not. We have our own new life which the devil cannot altar or change. this is the miracle of God's wisdom in his battle against the evil one who wants to usurp God from His throne of Glory. It is as though, we are like beautiful pure white lilies growing in a thick, dirty, filthy stinking pond. and just to rub the devils nose in it, he actually uses all that the devil tries to do, as a means of a, making our faith stronger, and b, proving to the Devil who is God - in other words, when we continue to grow as a child of God by faith, despite all the devil's sins and tribulations, God is glorified and the devil is out-witted. As you go through this study, hopefully you will see this wonderful truth and join the apostle Paul in his Doxology in chapter 11; Rom 11:33-36 33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord? or who has been his counsellor? 35 Or who has first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. Note: the third column in the following chart could be headed "three tests of our faith in the love of God." I trust you will see also, the connection between Faith Hope and Love. Chapter 5 also begins with these three characteristics. There is a natural hope, which is like a man who plants a seed by pushing his forefinger into the soil, placing the seed in it and covering it with soil. He would be hoping that it would grow. But it is not a certain hope by any stretch of the imagination. When the Bible speaks of the christian's "hope", it means a "certain glorious future". This hope springs from our faith, and our faith is based upon God;s word (promises) Just as a real gardener would not only plant the seed, but he or she would prepare the ground, plant the seed in the right place, in relation to the sun and elements. They would make constant watch, and prepare for bugs and disease showing on the tiniest leaf. That kind of knowledge will ensure that the gardener's faith is firm and sure, that the seed will grow and blossom or bear fruit. Our faith is grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love (Rom 5;5-8 and Romans 8 :36-39) One day, faith will be lost in heavenly sight, hope will disappear in realization, and the only thing that will remains is that which spoke the word in Genesis ch 1 - God, who is Love. Summary Chart.
The chapter is more easily remembered with the help of this chart. (click to enlarge)
The number three is prevelant, as it is throughout scripture. The chapter is in three parts, and each part has three dominant truths. Part 1. Living in the Spirit If you read it carefully and meditate, you should discover that the first seventeen verses teach us how our Mind, Heart and Will must be controlled by the Spirit. Your soul consists of your mind, your heart and your will. First of all we must have a spiritual mind. As you cannot think of two things at once, so we cannot think spiritually and carnally at the same time. We must always think ‘‘in the Spirit’’. This means that we must always think of things from God’s point of view. ‘‘Be spiritually minded, for to be fleshly minded is death’’ ( V.......) As repentance means to think again, God wants us (his children) to now begin to think as He thinks. God is a Spirit- invisible to the human eye. He longs for his children to see things which are invisible to the flesh. In the natural we think on what we see, and make further steps, or actions accordingly. We rely upon all our natural senses before we can make a "rational" decision. But living in the realm of the Spirit, is not like that. For essentially our spiritual eye depends upon the Word of God for guidance. More often than not the word of God will declare something that is not only invisible to the natural eye (thought) but is patently and obviously a contradiction to what we know from our five natural senses. God's life is faith. He created the world by the power of his Word. He, who is a Spirit, who is invisible, spoke into nothing and everything came into being. God expects some semblance of that life in His children who have his Spirit. This is what is meant by "Living by Faith- not by sight" Not only does God desire us to do his works of faith, but also he desires to do a work of faith in us, at the same time. Changing us from living in the flesh to living in the Spirit is a life time growth. He feeds us with His word, and the Spirit, grows stronger. Like a tree planted by a river we bear the fruit of the Spirit. (Check out Galatians ch 5) So to live ‘‘in the Spirit’’ means that we must hand our whole lives over to the control of the Spirit. We must learn to be led by the Spirit. Ask his advice and permission in everything; where we go, what we do, how we spend our money, who to be friends with, how to witness, who to witness to, etc. and etc. and etc. I cannot emphasise enough the importance of letting the Spirit, be your Boss. Count yourself as His slave now. He will speak to you through the word of God. There are over 450 commands in the New Testament to guide us in almost every situation in Life. Most of it sounds like impractical nonsense to the natural mind. Obedience is proof of our faith. The whole of this chapter is a classic guide to how to grow as a child of God. we are all familiar with the fact that babies don't always remain as babies. In the first seventeen verses, three aspects of growth can be seen Firstly we read about the MIND v 5-8 Then we read about a relationship with God, as sons with a Father, that is expressed in the HEART. (v 15-17) And in verses 11-13 we read of the body and the WILL coming into operation, in that we are exhorted to mortify (put to death) the deeds of the flesh. What day is it today?
The Flesh and the Spirit.
Since you have been born again and a new person lives in you, you now have a choice as to which “life” is to be expressed through your body. You can either live in the flesh, which will accomplish absolutely nothing, like every one else in the world, (you will reap corruption,) or be alive to God, and allow Christ to live out of you and reap eternal rewards. We cannot live them both at the same time. We have to die to ourselves for the Spirit in us to live out of us. (if you play golf check out our Page "Everyday's a chooseday") You will notice in the chart that the first column is headed "Faith" This chapter, like most things has a beginning, a middle and an end. The middle is about Hope. The end is about Love. So we should expect the beginning to be about Faith. However the word "faith" does not even occur in the first 17 verses, but what we do have is the formula for Living in the Spirit. So if you haven't realised this already, we can see that Living in the Spirit equates with Living by Faith. The word "Spirit" means "Life" and we are talking about the Life of God. So this confirms our earlier definition of faith as the Life of God. God made the universe by faith. He made what we now see from what could not be seen. He made the physical from the spiritual. Today through Science we know that this can be reversed, in that all things material and physical can be reduced to gases, i.e. invisible. So the first section is verses 1-17. We learn of what it means to live in the Spirit. Section two comprises verses 18-27, where we learn of the Future Hope of all those who are alive in Christ, and the yearnings which we experience while waiting for our hope to be manifested. Finally, section three is mainly to do with the Love of God and how we maintain our faith in His love. This section is a reiteration of the beginning of chapter 5, The enemy of our souls seeks to break our faith which is anchored in the Love of God. This third part forewarns us of these attacks, and provides the arms to counter such attack and gain victory over them and the one who sends them. So we see that we live by FAITH, HOPE & LOVE. These are all spiritual characteristics. You should come to realise that they are vastly different from what the natural man thinks are faith, hope and love. Growing up.
Like a baby grows naturally, so also we grow spiritually. In order for us to grow in mind, heart and will God has provided the spiritual equivalent to what we need to grow naturally in these realms.
Food
First a baby needs food.. We get this by reading the word of God.
1.Peter 2:2 says, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that you may grow thereby.” This is where our mind is in operation. Prayer
Secondly like a baby we grow up to know our parents, and a ‘‘heart ’’ relationship matures. We do this by Prayer. Jesus said; “When you pray say “Abba father’’. Check out a similar verse in this chapter (v.........)”
Someone once said, “prayer is not getting things, it is getting to know God” Exercise.
Thirdly we grow up to work, in our Father’s business. The Spirit controls our will. It is God’s will that we serve Him and that we are a good witness unto Jesus. Read these verses over and over, until you see the mind the heart and the will all controlled by the Spirit.
In the natural world a baby grows by food, air and exercise. If you are a new believer, then you are a new born baby. You are a child of God. You have a new life within you. If that new life is to survive then it will need spiritual food, air and exercise. |
The food for the ‘‘spiritual baby’’ is the word of God, the air that the spiritual baby breathes is the breath of prayer. and the exercise of the spiritual baby is to obey the word that you have ‘‘eaten’’; just as a baby exercises by the energy it gets from eating its food. One simple exercise of obedience is to witness to others concerning your new found Saviour.
This simple formula is all you need to live in the Spirit, by faith.
Read the first seventeen verses of this chapter and note the verses which speak of your mind, your heart experiences and the operation of your will to put to death the desires of the flesh and to do the will of your Father. All three areas of your soul should come under the control of the Spirit Note that the Spirit leads us. He does not drive us like our old master, who enslaved us through passions and lusts of the flesh. The Holy Spirit leads us like a shepherd leads his sheep. Keep an open ear to hear him speak, keep eyes watching to discern his footsteps, keep the praises of Jesus and the word “abba Father” ever on your tongue. The christian walk is not easy. You will always battle with the enemy who has an ally in your flesh. Whatever you feed will grow strongest, your flesh or your Spirit.
This present world does not cater for your new life, because it is Jesus in you. It caters for the flesh alone. The world has no sustenance or succour the Spirit of God in us.
You will find that you will have to endure a certain amount of suffering on this earth, simply because you are a Christian. This present world did not want Jesus when He came to earth, and nor does it want Him now, nor those who represent him.. The final verse in the first section, promises us that if we are prepared to suffer as a christian while here on this sinful planet, with our sinful bodies, then we shall share his Glory with us when life is over.
Footnote: In other studies (Hebrews) you will see that the Priests of Old Testament times, served the LORD 24/7 with three duties which perfectly fit the above three aids to spiritual growth.
1. The table of shewbread, was furnished each day with 12 fresh loaves for their food.
2. The Altar of Incense was kept burning 24/7, symbolising prayer and praise rising to God continually.
3. The Golden Candlestick which had 7 branches each with a cup of burning oil, provided the light for the Holy Place where they served. This is symbolic of our witness and behaviour before the world. You will read in the beginning of Revelation that the Lord threatened to remove some church's candlestick if they did not repent and change their ways.
This simple formula is all you need to live in the Spirit, by faith.
Read the first seventeen verses of this chapter and note the verses which speak of your mind, your heart experiences and the operation of your will to put to death the desires of the flesh and to do the will of your Father. All three areas of your soul should come under the control of the Spirit Note that the Spirit leads us. He does not drive us like our old master, who enslaved us through passions and lusts of the flesh. The Holy Spirit leads us like a shepherd leads his sheep. Keep an open ear to hear him speak, keep eyes watching to discern his footsteps, keep the praises of Jesus and the word “abba Father” ever on your tongue. The christian walk is not easy. You will always battle with the enemy who has an ally in your flesh. Whatever you feed will grow strongest, your flesh or your Spirit.
This present world does not cater for your new life, because it is Jesus in you. It caters for the flesh alone. The world has no sustenance or succour the Spirit of God in us.
You will find that you will have to endure a certain amount of suffering on this earth, simply because you are a Christian. This present world did not want Jesus when He came to earth, and nor does it want Him now, nor those who represent him.. The final verse in the first section, promises us that if we are prepared to suffer as a christian while here on this sinful planet, with our sinful bodies, then we shall share his Glory with us when life is over.
Footnote: In other studies (Hebrews) you will see that the Priests of Old Testament times, served the LORD 24/7 with three duties which perfectly fit the above three aids to spiritual growth.
1. The table of shewbread, was furnished each day with 12 fresh loaves for their food.
2. The Altar of Incense was kept burning 24/7, symbolising prayer and praise rising to God continually.
3. The Golden Candlestick which had 7 branches each with a cup of burning oil, provided the light for the Holy Place where they served. This is symbolic of our witness and behaviour before the world. You will read in the beginning of Revelation that the Lord threatened to remove some church's candlestick if they did not repent and change their ways.
Part 2. The Power of Hope.
You no doubt have heard a song about the “power of Love”, but do you know of the “power of Hope.”
We see many sets of three in this chapter; The chapter is in three parts.
The first deals with FAITH, v 1-16 There we see the three parts of the Soul; Mind Heart and Will
Part two deals with HOPE , v 17 –27 and here we see three Hopeful Groaners
We shall see that Part three deals with three aspects of Love v 28-end.
You no doubt have heard a song about the “power of Love”, but do you know of the “power of Hope.”
We see many sets of three in this chapter; The chapter is in three parts.
The first deals with FAITH, v 1-16 There we see the three parts of the Soul; Mind Heart and Will
Part two deals with HOPE , v 17 –27 and here we see three Hopeful Groaners
We shall see that Part three deals with three aspects of Love v 28-end.
Hopeful watchers: v. 18-27
As we have already intimated, it is not easy being a Christian, and sadly many backslide. However those who go on despite the trials and difficulties do so by the power of Hope. If you have a tiresome or difficult job, the motivation to endure to the end of the month is the hope of receiving one’s wages.
All suffering is endurable provided we can foresee the end.
The athlete will punish his body for the glory of the desired prize.
The soldier endures much deprivation and pain during the war, in the hope of eventual victory, which should provide peace and security.
Because we are now the children of God, living in a sinful world under the control of Satan, it is inevitable that the Christian life will be a battle, not only within against our own fleshly will, but also without against the world. Sin has caused havoc to God’s world. While we are in the body we will suffer the consequences of sin being in the world. Not till we are dead and free from this body will we be free from the evil and suffering that sin brings. Sin has affected the whole of creation and the whole of creation longs for the day when sin will be finished with completely.
(May be this would be a good time to check out our notes on Chapter 5.- about the “hope” of the glory of God”)
One of our modern christian clichés is to be on "a pilgrimage of faith." Often depicted as a life where we wander along hoping we are on the right path.
However, although it is a theme the hymn writers are familiar with, it is not how Paud describes the christian life. The Apostle Paul called it a "Fight of faith". He said at the end of his life, that he had fought a good fight. The Old Testament record of the children of Israel is a history of wars. They had to fight to exist in those days. The children of Israel were numbered according to the number of men fit for war. Most bible believing christians will see the Old Testament as a great parable of the christian life. Just as we have been delivered from the bondage of Satan and the world, we now battle to take over the land that God has promised to those who overcome. It is indeed a fight of faith.
Here are the three prominent things, in this section on Hope, which are well worth a closer study, and bear out our notes above.
All suffering is endurable provided we can foresee the end.
The athlete will punish his body for the glory of the desired prize.
The soldier endures much deprivation and pain during the war, in the hope of eventual victory, which should provide peace and security.
Because we are now the children of God, living in a sinful world under the control of Satan, it is inevitable that the Christian life will be a battle, not only within against our own fleshly will, but also without against the world. Sin has caused havoc to God’s world. While we are in the body we will suffer the consequences of sin being in the world. Not till we are dead and free from this body will we be free from the evil and suffering that sin brings. Sin has affected the whole of creation and the whole of creation longs for the day when sin will be finished with completely.
(May be this would be a good time to check out our notes on Chapter 5.- about the “hope” of the glory of God”)
One of our modern christian clichés is to be on "a pilgrimage of faith." Often depicted as a life where we wander along hoping we are on the right path.
However, although it is a theme the hymn writers are familiar with, it is not how Paud describes the christian life. The Apostle Paul called it a "Fight of faith". He said at the end of his life, that he had fought a good fight. The Old Testament record of the children of Israel is a history of wars. They had to fight to exist in those days. The children of Israel were numbered according to the number of men fit for war. Most bible believing christians will see the Old Testament as a great parable of the christian life. Just as we have been delivered from the bondage of Satan and the world, we now battle to take over the land that God has promised to those who overcome. It is indeed a fight of faith.
Here are the three prominent things, in this section on Hope, which are well worth a closer study, and bear out our notes above.
Three Hopeful Groaners.
1. Creation. v 22.
2. The Child of God. v 23
3 . The Holy Spirit. v 26.
1. Creation Groans.
Read again these verses:
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who has subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees why does he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
After sin entered the world, the whole of creation, including mankind was affected. People may say it's a wonderful world, but in God's eyes it is not. It is not as He made it. We can all see imperfections in the natural world. Death reigns in the animal and vegetable kingdoms. Sickness, violence, disappointment, prejudice, corruption, are but a few of the hundreds of human experiences that cause pain, and despair. And even in the mineral kingdoms there is decay. In Hebrews ch 1 Paul speaks of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ being an everlasting Kingdom, which means that it cannot be an earthly kingdom. For scriptures says;
10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. (Heb 1:10-12)
The fact that scripture says things are waxing old and winding down, surely contradicts any theory of evolution.
One of the great questions that Hebrews answers is "Why didn't God, destroy the sinful world at the beginning, "nipping sin in the bud", and begin again? Here in Romans we read that rather than begin again, in His sovereign power and Wisdom, he subjected the created world and life in it, to "vanity", or as the NIV translates it "frustration". Never being slow to explain the inconsistencies of other translations, it is worth emphasising the A.V translation of "Vanity". This is exactly the same word used by Solomon and Job when they summed up human life spent on earth (please note that Solomon's wisdom was a gift from God, and so we can suppose it to be the very wisdom of God.). The NIV uses the word "meaningless" in the Old Testament and "frustration" in the New. (It's not important but just thought to mention it.) In our studies on the Books of Experience you should see from Ecclesiastes, how Solomon, with all the wisdom one could ever hope for, and an income of £4 million, investigated the meaning of Life without God. He acquired to himself all the best material things that Life could offer. Houses, Lands, Pools, Pop groups, women, and etc. But his verdict on it all was that it was all "Vanity" and "Vexation of Spirit". Put those two together and you could translate it as "clutching at the wind". Adding a conservatory never stopped divorce and heartache. Every generation outsmarts the previous in this search for the better, the wiser, healthier, bigger, the more enjoyable and comfortable. It is a constant goal never reached. But God's plan is to burn everything material in the end.
This is Solomon's (and God's) summing up of life on earth, because the great test is found in the last chapter of Ecclesiastes, which is about funerals and death.
Now is that not true? Constantly people all over the world, are thrilled to be alive but as they contemplate their demise, and departure, they fumble around for a purpose, or reason for it all. Looking back, the vast majority have lived on a treadmill of work- Holidays, Work - Christmas, with a few minor sensual passing pleasure in between. and that is excluding all the pain and suffering that life throws at you. The story goes that as Shackleton ventured to the south pole, at one time they threw snow balls ahead to give them a target to reach, rather than look at the vast emptiness which seemed to be leading to nowhere. Most people on earth keep going by throwing similar snowballs. Even the people who have acquired all the fine fashions of the age, to the envy of most others, often fall from their sham ivory palace, to reveal by their suicide or abuse, exactly what the bible says about life. "What's it all about Alfie" they sing. But why ask Alfie when Solomon has told us, and Paul explains it here in Romans. For God, rather than destroy and start again has subjected the creation to futility, vanity, and frustration. Material things don't satisfy the human soul for the soul is spiritual. The body is merely a glove of the soul. The soul only finds satisfaction in spiritual things. God seeks to bring man to understand and enjoy such delights, by experiencing the meaningless material world. The Devil of course, supplies a substitute for Faith, Hope and Love. The real trio are only found in God, through faith in Jesus Christ.
Amazingly, the wisdom of God has found a way of fulfilling his purposes for his creation despite man's free-will-rebellion and rejection, and the best efforts of his arch enemy the Devil.
So this passage tells us that all of creation would be included in his great plan of redemption. Essentially that redemption is for Mankind, made in his own image, but here we read that creation groans, for its hope of being perfected is timed to coincide with that of the Sons of God, when they break out from this finite, fleshly shell. This truth endorses the truth that this whole created world and the universe that sustains it, were created for mankind. It would have no divine purpose otherwise, and the only reason it has divine purpose with man, is that Man was created in God's own image, or as we say, "a chip off the old block" . Or as David said and Jesus confirmed "You are gods". The ultimate purpose of this plan of redemption is for man and God to be reconciled (joined again), as bride and groom. ( The cross was his Kiss, the Holy Spirit his engagement ring)
Hence the reason God came where we were, as a Son, and experienced fully what it is like to live in this meaningless world, and yet still fulfil the purposes of God. Which brings us to the conclusion that nothing has any meaning in life apart from God's eternal purposes. this is aptly summed up in the well-known and oft quoted lines;
"One short life to live, Will soon be past
And only what's done for Christ - Will last."
That is the only true and living HOPE or certain future for mankind.
So we can see that God's plan to reinstate the spiritual characteristics in Man which were lost by Adam's disobedience are being restored within God's purposeful plan of Redemption. We have seen how faith which is spiritual life, is a necessary part of salvation. For Faith looks at the past. The word of God and the promises of God have been made. Christ's work has been finished. Faith rests on those things in the past. But in order to continue believing, despite the sin-made problems and tribulations of this present world, the believer must look in faith to the future and that is exactly what Hope is. It is not the normal every day (devil's substitute) "hope", whereby we hope to go on Holiday or hope that our local football team will win, but based upon the promises of God, it spells out a "Certain Future" of glory.
This should aid us in our understanding of why God allows suffering. Apart from the fact that "God allows everything", it becomes part of our Spiritual growth. We look closer at this later. We can take comfort that all the disasters in nature and all the tragedies among mankind, are all within God's sovereign knowledge, will and power, and He who knows the end from the beginning, by his foreknowledge, has a plan of love, which will accomplish his eternal purposes. We are part of that plan and for his glory- the glory of His divine Wisdom. We as his children are blessed with the privilege to be part of that plan. So rather than complain about God's wisdom we submit to His will, knowing that one day all will be revealed and every question answered. That is our Hope. We are being saved by Hope. We are "saved", "being saved" and "will be saved". This is the power that keeps us pressing on "being saved" through the mess and trials of Life. We can join in Paul's doxology in chapter 11. v33-36.
So the child of God (the second groaner) groans in His spirit for that day of redemption.
The Holy Spirit also groans. He is the great intercessor upon which out hope depends . For we are not wise enough to understand all God's plans and wishes. But He knows and he intercedes for us with groanings of which we are not capable. So even in the densest fog, or darkest hour we can be sure that the Holy Spirit is interceding for the redeemed of the Lord, ensuring that we will come through until faith and Hope are lost in heavenly sight.
Read the scripture passage again, for greater understanding.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who has subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees why does he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Protection Provision
Being a Christian is hard, because keeping that Spirit alive in you, is like living on a planet with a hostile atmosphere. However, God has provided a ‘‘space suit’’ and all the necessary equipment to survive. We are called to endure hardship, even spiritual famine or persecution. There will be times when you will even wonder if God exists, let alone whether you have all the wonderful power of God flowing through you. Do not expect the new life in you to be some kind of magic wand, or remote control which fixes every problem, giving you a life of ease. Nothing could be further from the truth than that. All sorts of situations are conjured up by the enemy of your soul in an effort to break your faith. Don’t be surprised if such situations bring questions of doubt. That is the purpose of them.
Part 3: Three Aspects of Love:
Forewarned is to be forearmed, and verse 26 onwards of this chapter will do just that. Firstly, always remember that you ‘‘stand in grace.’’ Let your mind dwell on what God says in His word and not on what you may or may not see around you.
Here are three devilish reasons why you could be tempted to lose your faith in the love of God
1. You might fall to sin or be very aware of the sinful state of your own heart; Satan will say : “You’re not a child of God”
2. You might go through a period when your prayers are not answered and you may think that they have not even been heard. Satan will rub it in by saying; “ I told you so, God doesn’t know you”
3. You might go through a ‘‘God-less’’ situation. For example, famine or nakedness (How can God be with you if you are without the very things He has promised?). You might even experience some kind of defeat. (how can God be on the losing side?) Satan then drives home his final nail and says: ..‘‘what is happening proves that God is not with you. It is because of your sin that He doesn’t love you’’.
Please read Psalm 44 to see how David was defeated, even when God was with him. David could see no reason for the defeat except that God was handing them over to the enemy ‘‘like sheep for the slaughter’’
Here now is part of the answer to the problem, when we could question the Love of God.
1. Remember that if you sin, the only person who will condemn you is the devil. God counts you righteous, and Jesus died for you. It has nothing to do with the devil. (V.......) So just don't believe such lying thoughts. God says you are dead to sin. Hidden in Christ- in God.
2. If you don’t get your prayers answered, remember that there must be a very good reason, for if God gave you his Son, He would surely not refuse anything else now, would He? (unless for a very good reason) (v ......) In these situations we must submit to God's will and timing. He knows best, and will bring about what is best, for those who trust him. We note that in David's Psalms, he is very often calling to God in adverse circumstances, but in almost every prayer for deliverance, he finishes by praising God, who remains ever the same, irrespective of changing earthly circumstances. When God says "No", rather than the "Yes" we asked for, his "No" is as loving and perfect as his "yes"
3. When we experience, what can be described as "God forsaken" circumstances.
No doubt there will be times when you will prove the power of the spiritual life getting through to this natural world and changing things, but remember that everything going wrong in the natural world, does not mean that everything is wrong in the spiritual world. Indeed it is more likely to be the very opposite (it was with Job.) When you get to heaven, you will probably look back and testify that all the experiences you went through that you thought were negatives, were in fact the most fruitful positives.
In fact you could say that nothing ever goes “wrong” for the Christian if we are to believe verse 28. ‘‘everything works together for good to those who are called by God.”
In other words, - everything is used to accomplish the purpose for which He called you.
What then is that purpose? It is hidden in verse 29.
It is surely to make us like Jesus. He is our elder brother. All God’s children have a look of their father about them. So God will cause us to grow in our spiritual life, till we become like Jesus. Was not Jesus led as a sheep for the slaughter? That is why this chapter warns us that we may also be led in that way. Don’t let the devil tell you that it is a sign that God has left you and no longer loves you. Read the end of Hebrews chapter 11 and see what many servants of God endured by faith, in the Old Testament. They were not all wonderfully delivered. Some were delivered, some were not. However, we are promised that if we suffer ‘‘with Him,’’ we will also share in His glory. Just as he has been glorified, we also will be glorified.
Glorification:
God's greatest and most glorifying creation, was in making a physical man in his own image with all his spiritual properties. He gave man a free will; perfect liberty from himself; no strings attached
The Devil, who is God’s arch rival and wants to dethrone God and rob him of his glory, has attacked the things in which God has invested his Glory. He has sought to ruin nature and man through sin. Satan’s greatest weapon is death, - which is separation from God. He gets the power by causing men to sin. For sin brings about death. He uses Sin and Tribulation to do his separating work. In a sinful world you can be sure of suffering. Satan produces adversity in the world so that he can slander God to man. Men blame God for all that is wrong with the world. Resentment sets in and Satan soon makes men feel they have an excuse to go their own way (Satan’s way).
But in this spiritual battle, the same weapon is given to us by God to overcome both sin and suffering. That weapon is Faith.
We are connected to God by faith. We have God’s life in us when we are believing the gospel. That is why the Devil will do his utmost to break our faith. If you only believe that God loves you and has forgiven you, when things are going well, you are in big trouble. Because Satan could one day make your circumstances seem as though God has forsaken you. However Satan is well within God’s plans. For God has outwitted Satan because the very thing that Satan does actually strengthens the faith of God’s children. It also ensures their glorification.
We have already seen that man falls short of God’s glory because of his sin and unbelief. However, man reaches or comes to the point where he glorifies God when he is believing. For he is righteous when believing and walking in fellowship with God when he is believing. Satan is the loser. God is glorified when man continues to believe in the face of the enemy’s best efforts.
Question: Who glorifies God the most?
a, The Christian who praises and believes in God when things are going great - or
b, The Christian who sings praises to God even when it seems they are not getting anything from God at all? (If you have a chance, read the first two chapters of Job.)
Jesus is now at God’s right hand having overcome all that Hell could throw at Him. We will also be glorified if we go through the same pathway.
What does verse 17 say?
Future Glory- the Glory of God.
The whole point about life is that God should be glorified. But God is not glorified by the world as it is, nor is man anything like God intended him to be. If we ourselves make anything we usually will not boast about it unless it glorifies us. For God to be glorified, it is absolutely essential that man is in a state which glorifies his Creator. So man must be restored to his former glory before sin came. The gospel brings this to pass, indeed it makes man better than he was before.
Man was originally a spiritual being. Adam walked with God. God is and always has been invisible to the natural eye. So Adam must have walked with God by faith. We have already spoken of faith being the life of God, and that walking by faith is tantamount to living in the Spiritual realm that God inhabits.
So keep your faith strong. Be an overcomer. If God so desires, then fear not if he allows you to be exposed to the wiles of the devil and like Job in the Old Testament, you will find that all things will turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Testing times usually signal blessings ahead.
PLEASE NOTE> The scripture we are studying now is referring to times when our faith is tested. Do not get the idea that the christian life is one long drag of suffering, because it certainly is not. There are too many great and precious promises from an abundant God to make it that. BUT there will, without doubt be times of testing. Jesus used a phrase in what we call “The Lord’s Prayer”, which can be translated “when we come into the test”. Throughout the centuries. God's people have endured severe persecution. Unlike the prosperity message of the Old Testament, the New Testament "promises" tribulation, while we are on this earth. Jesus, Paul and all his disciples are proof of that fact. So if we are seeking a life of ease and comfort, we cannot possibly be following in the footsteps of such people.
We need to feed on our daily bread and keep the prayer lines open for such times of testing.
Part 3: Three Aspects of Love:
Forewarned is to be forearmed, and verse 26 onwards of this chapter will do just that. Firstly, always remember that you ‘‘stand in grace.’’ Let your mind dwell on what God says in His word and not on what you may or may not see around you.
Here are three devilish reasons why you could be tempted to lose your faith in the love of God
1. You might fall to sin or be very aware of the sinful state of your own heart; Satan will say : “You’re not a child of God”
2. You might go through a period when your prayers are not answered and you may think that they have not even been heard. Satan will rub it in by saying; “ I told you so, God doesn’t know you”
3. You might go through a ‘‘God-less’’ situation. For example, famine or nakedness (How can God be with you if you are without the very things He has promised?). You might even experience some kind of defeat. (how can God be on the losing side?) Satan then drives home his final nail and says: ..‘‘what is happening proves that God is not with you. It is because of your sin that He doesn’t love you’’.
Please read Psalm 44 to see how David was defeated, even when God was with him. David could see no reason for the defeat except that God was handing them over to the enemy ‘‘like sheep for the slaughter’’
Here now is part of the answer to the problem, when we could question the Love of God.
1. Remember that if you sin, the only person who will condemn you is the devil. God counts you righteous, and Jesus died for you. It has nothing to do with the devil. (V.......) So just don't believe such lying thoughts. God says you are dead to sin. Hidden in Christ- in God.
2. If you don’t get your prayers answered, remember that there must be a very good reason, for if God gave you his Son, He would surely not refuse anything else now, would He? (unless for a very good reason) (v ......) In these situations we must submit to God's will and timing. He knows best, and will bring about what is best, for those who trust him. We note that in David's Psalms, he is very often calling to God in adverse circumstances, but in almost every prayer for deliverance, he finishes by praising God, who remains ever the same, irrespective of changing earthly circumstances. When God says "No", rather than the "Yes" we asked for, his "No" is as loving and perfect as his "yes"
3. When we experience, what can be described as "God forsaken" circumstances.
No doubt there will be times when you will prove the power of the spiritual life getting through to this natural world and changing things, but remember that everything going wrong in the natural world, does not mean that everything is wrong in the spiritual world. Indeed it is more likely to be the very opposite (it was with Job.) When you get to heaven, you will probably look back and testify that all the experiences you went through that you thought were negatives, were in fact the most fruitful positives.
In fact you could say that nothing ever goes “wrong” for the Christian if we are to believe verse 28. ‘‘everything works together for good to those who are called by God.”
In other words, - everything is used to accomplish the purpose for which He called you.
What then is that purpose? It is hidden in verse 29.
It is surely to make us like Jesus. He is our elder brother. All God’s children have a look of their father about them. So God will cause us to grow in our spiritual life, till we become like Jesus. Was not Jesus led as a sheep for the slaughter? That is why this chapter warns us that we may also be led in that way. Don’t let the devil tell you that it is a sign that God has left you and no longer loves you. Read the end of Hebrews chapter 11 and see what many servants of God endured by faith, in the Old Testament. They were not all wonderfully delivered. Some were delivered, some were not. However, we are promised that if we suffer ‘‘with Him,’’ we will also share in His glory. Just as he has been glorified, we also will be glorified.
Glorification:
God's greatest and most glorifying creation, was in making a physical man in his own image with all his spiritual properties. He gave man a free will; perfect liberty from himself; no strings attached
The Devil, who is God’s arch rival and wants to dethrone God and rob him of his glory, has attacked the things in which God has invested his Glory. He has sought to ruin nature and man through sin. Satan’s greatest weapon is death, - which is separation from God. He gets the power by causing men to sin. For sin brings about death. He uses Sin and Tribulation to do his separating work. In a sinful world you can be sure of suffering. Satan produces adversity in the world so that he can slander God to man. Men blame God for all that is wrong with the world. Resentment sets in and Satan soon makes men feel they have an excuse to go their own way (Satan’s way).
But in this spiritual battle, the same weapon is given to us by God to overcome both sin and suffering. That weapon is Faith.
We are connected to God by faith. We have God’s life in us when we are believing the gospel. That is why the Devil will do his utmost to break our faith. If you only believe that God loves you and has forgiven you, when things are going well, you are in big trouble. Because Satan could one day make your circumstances seem as though God has forsaken you. However Satan is well within God’s plans. For God has outwitted Satan because the very thing that Satan does actually strengthens the faith of God’s children. It also ensures their glorification.
We have already seen that man falls short of God’s glory because of his sin and unbelief. However, man reaches or comes to the point where he glorifies God when he is believing. For he is righteous when believing and walking in fellowship with God when he is believing. Satan is the loser. God is glorified when man continues to believe in the face of the enemy’s best efforts.
Question: Who glorifies God the most?
a, The Christian who praises and believes in God when things are going great - or
b, The Christian who sings praises to God even when it seems they are not getting anything from God at all? (If you have a chance, read the first two chapters of Job.)
Jesus is now at God’s right hand having overcome all that Hell could throw at Him. We will also be glorified if we go through the same pathway.
What does verse 17 say?
Future Glory- the Glory of God.
The whole point about life is that God should be glorified. But God is not glorified by the world as it is, nor is man anything like God intended him to be. If we ourselves make anything we usually will not boast about it unless it glorifies us. For God to be glorified, it is absolutely essential that man is in a state which glorifies his Creator. So man must be restored to his former glory before sin came. The gospel brings this to pass, indeed it makes man better than he was before.
Man was originally a spiritual being. Adam walked with God. God is and always has been invisible to the natural eye. So Adam must have walked with God by faith. We have already spoken of faith being the life of God, and that walking by faith is tantamount to living in the Spiritual realm that God inhabits.
So keep your faith strong. Be an overcomer. If God so desires, then fear not if he allows you to be exposed to the wiles of the devil and like Job in the Old Testament, you will find that all things will turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Testing times usually signal blessings ahead.
PLEASE NOTE> The scripture we are studying now is referring to times when our faith is tested. Do not get the idea that the christian life is one long drag of suffering, because it certainly is not. There are too many great and precious promises from an abundant God to make it that. BUT there will, without doubt be times of testing. Jesus used a phrase in what we call “The Lord’s Prayer”, which can be translated “when we come into the test”. Throughout the centuries. God's people have endured severe persecution. Unlike the prosperity message of the Old Testament, the New Testament "promises" tribulation, while we are on this earth. Jesus, Paul and all his disciples are proof of that fact. So if we are seeking a life of ease and comfort, we cannot possibly be following in the footsteps of such people.
We need to feed on our daily bread and keep the prayer lines open for such times of testing.
Things:
Notice the frequent occurrence of the word “things” in ch. 8 v 25 onwards. These could be termed ‘‘every-day’’ things that go wrong. Such adversities caused by Satan could well be viewed from a more positive aspect. e.g...
Faith’s Fertiliser:
_Satan will accuse you of much wrong doing; His name “Satan” means “accuser”. Satan throws “muck” on you, but the seed of faith grows better because of it. In Genesis he slandered God to man- “has God said?” In Job He slandered man to God.
The Potters Wheel:
Sometimes you might think you are getting nowhere in your Christian life. The daily ‘‘round’’ is often where God moulds us into a vessel that honours Him and a vessel that he can fill and use. He wants to teach us patience, it is a long road.
Satan’s Sieve:
Jesus once said to Peter that Satan wanted to “sift him like wheat”. But Jesus said, that he had prayed for Peter, that his “faith would not fail”. So Satan puts us in his sieve sometimes to give us a good shaking in the hope that our faith might fail. But remember when Satan puts you in his sieve and gives you a good shaking, all he gets is the chaff!
Soul-building weights:
The promises of God are like weights. Some are easy to lift up ( to believe) and others more difficult. Sometimes you might seem very weak in faith, and finding it difficult to believe some promises in God’s word which seem to be the answer in your situation. By prayer and bible reading you will feed your spiritual muscles and in time find the spiritual strength to believe. But don’t think that because it’s hard, you have lost your faith. More often than not you are just moving on to bigger weights that test your faith, which lead to bigger weights of glory when you have overcome them. You will see what may seem to be heavy promises which you find hard to lift up in faith, but each weight overcome will make you stronger for the next weight.
Things may change like the weather, but the believer learns to live on through them, sunshine, cloud, rain or snow, and see the benefits that even adverse circumstances can bring. Remember then at all times these three things;
1. The absence of “things” (given or supplied) does not mean the absence of God’s love.- ch 8 v 32.
2. All things work out for the best when your life is in God’s hands ch 8 v 28.
3. Don’t just get over "things"; Be more than a conqueror. See the negatives as positives to help you stretch and enhance your faith.. ch 8 v 37.
Things may change like the weather, but the believer learns to live on through them, sunshine, cloud, rain or snow, and see the benefits that even adverse circumstances can bring. Remember then at all times these three things;
1. The absence of “things” (given or supplied) does not mean the absence of God’s love.- ch 8 v 32.
2. All things work out for the best when your life is in God’s hands ch 8 v 28.
3. Don’t just get over "things"; Be more than a conqueror. See the negatives as positives to help you stretch and enhance your faith.. ch 8 v 37.
Three Prominent Trees in the Bible ; Minus, Plus and Multiplication;
(Ed: This part of our study was written long before Rheinhard Bonke’s excellent booklet “Minus to Plus”)
In the bible we read of three gardens and three trees associated with them. One at either end of the bible and one in the middle;
The first is in the Garden of Eden and called “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil”
The second is the tree of Calvary, upon which Jesus died. It was associated with a garden called Gethsemane. It could be said that the real pain of Calvary was felt in the garden where Jesus sweat great drops of blood in agony.
The third tree is in Revelation. It is called the tree of Life and it is in the garden of God.
Notice that the first tree has two aspects. Good and Evil. It could be illustrated by a minus sign - which also has two aspects (two ends). The minus sign was ‘‘earthward,’’ pointing left and right horizontally. That tree turned out to be the minus to top all minuses. It brought disaster to mankind.
The Cross
The second tree, however is a cross. It is a plus + in its shape and
nature. For across the minus sign has come another aspect. This is a
vertical or upright line pointing to heaven. It brings God into the
situation.
So...
_It could be said that there is no such thing as a negative experience to a Christian, because God is in total control of all aspects of their lives. When God chose the Israelites as his people, He took on total responsibility for them. He not only gave out the sweets but He also was responsible for the punishments. This is very clearly demonstrated from Isaiah, where we have a prophecy that God would raise up a man called Cyrus, King of Babylon, to be the means of punishment for Israel. This prophecy was made one hundred years before Cyrus was even heard of. So we can see clearly that God was in control of the worst chapter in Israel’s history.
Sometimes adverse circumstances can be an attack of the enemy to destroy our faith or simply the good hand of correction on us from our loving father. Those the Lord loves He chastens. So such a minus can become a positive, in either case
Much adversity does not spell the departure of God from His children. It could well be the cross we are called to take up in following Jesus. Within that cross experience there is inevitably the feeling of “why have you forsaken me?’’ However, if we can see that the cross of Jesus turned out to be a triumph over Satan, then hopefully we will see that our cross is God’s way of us bringing glory to Him also. The minus represents the devil’s work and the vertical represents God’s attack upon it, cancelling out its evil effect. So we can see the devil’s work being used to good effect. Therefore we can say that the tree which we know as The Cross produces fruit.
The cross as a symbol illustrates its nature. It is as two wills going in the opposite direction, one cutting across the other.
Supposing you were to have an afternoon free and decided to spend it on your favourite pastime. However just before you set out a loved one asks you to go on an urgent errand on their behalf. Immediately you would be faced with a cross. You would have a choice, either to go your way or the way your loved one wanted you to go for them. If you granted your loved one’s request, then you would in effect be living their life instead of your own. You would be doing their will instead of your own. In this light we can see the cross. Our will is set before us like a straight line ahead. Then suddenly across our planned life comes the will of God as another which cut across our own.
In the book of revelation the cross has become a ‘‘tree of life’’.
God’s life is resurrection life. For us to experience it we must know a ‘‘death’’. The corn of wheat must die before new life springs from it.
When we die to our own will and do His, we come to know God’s life in all its amazing fullness. So the + has become a multiplication sign in that fruit has been born from a ‘‘death experience .
In the garden of Genesis, man said to God, ‘‘My will not yours’’ In the garden of Calvary, Jesus said to God, ‘‘Your will not mine’’. God’s Kingdom is brought about when God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven. So the cross has become, and should be regarded as a multiplying agent for the life of God in us.
‘‘If we see to the dying, God will see to the resurrection.’’
F.B Meyer wrote; If we fight the cross we will only augment it’s weight, but if we take it up willingly, it will blossom like the rod of Aaron.
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Sometimes adverse circumstances can be an attack of the enemy to destroy our faith or simply the good hand of correction on us from our loving father. Those the Lord loves He chastens. So such a minus can become a positive, in either case
Much adversity does not spell the departure of God from His children. It could well be the cross we are called to take up in following Jesus. Within that cross experience there is inevitably the feeling of “why have you forsaken me?’’ However, if we can see that the cross of Jesus turned out to be a triumph over Satan, then hopefully we will see that our cross is God’s way of us bringing glory to Him also. The minus represents the devil’s work and the vertical represents God’s attack upon it, cancelling out its evil effect. So we can see the devil’s work being used to good effect. Therefore we can say that the tree which we know as The Cross produces fruit.
The cross as a symbol illustrates its nature. It is as two wills going in the opposite direction, one cutting across the other.
Supposing you were to have an afternoon free and decided to spend it on your favourite pastime. However just before you set out a loved one asks you to go on an urgent errand on their behalf. Immediately you would be faced with a cross. You would have a choice, either to go your way or the way your loved one wanted you to go for them. If you granted your loved one’s request, then you would in effect be living their life instead of your own. You would be doing their will instead of your own. In this light we can see the cross. Our will is set before us like a straight line ahead. Then suddenly across our planned life comes the will of God as another which cut across our own.
In the book of revelation the cross has become a ‘‘tree of life’’.
God’s life is resurrection life. For us to experience it we must know a ‘‘death’’. The corn of wheat must die before new life springs from it.
When we die to our own will and do His, we come to know God’s life in all its amazing fullness. So the + has become a multiplication sign in that fruit has been born from a ‘‘death experience .
In the garden of Genesis, man said to God, ‘‘My will not yours’’ In the garden of Calvary, Jesus said to God, ‘‘Your will not mine’’. God’s Kingdom is brought about when God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven. So the cross has become, and should be regarded as a multiplying agent for the life of God in us.
‘‘If we see to the dying, God will see to the resurrection.’’
F.B Meyer wrote; If we fight the cross we will only augment it’s weight, but if we take it up willingly, it will blossom like the rod of Aaron.
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Final Thoughts;
Two children looked across a large snow covered field.
They decided to see who could walk across it, in the straightest possible line. One trod very carefully, making sure that each foot was in line with the next foot. The other skipped across with great joy and lightness of foot. When they looked back, after crossing the field, the one who had joyfully skipped across, had crossed in a far more direct line than the one, who with head down had watched each step in fear of faltering. How did the winner do it? When asked, she said. “You see that church in the distance, beyond the field. It has a cross on its steeple. I just kept my eyes on the cross. That’s how I did it.’’ Think about it, there’s good advice there!
Living “near the cross” will make obedience easier. Living in sight of the cross will make it more difficult to believe that God does not love you. Every day we do things which remind us of someone, or something that has happened in the past, or something someone has said. Every time you see a grapefruit it could remind you of holiday, simply because you only ever eat grapefruit for breakfast when you are on holiday. Knowing this, Jesus said, every time you eat bread and drink wine, remember my death. The disciples ate bread and drank wine maybe three or four times a day. If we just use our meal times to cause us to remember the cross, we will never forget His love for us.
Hopefully this is what you have learnt;
They decided to see who could walk across it, in the straightest possible line. One trod very carefully, making sure that each foot was in line with the next foot. The other skipped across with great joy and lightness of foot. When they looked back, after crossing the field, the one who had joyfully skipped across, had crossed in a far more direct line than the one, who with head down had watched each step in fear of faltering. How did the winner do it? When asked, she said. “You see that church in the distance, beyond the field. It has a cross on its steeple. I just kept my eyes on the cross. That’s how I did it.’’ Think about it, there’s good advice there!
Living “near the cross” will make obedience easier. Living in sight of the cross will make it more difficult to believe that God does not love you. Every day we do things which remind us of someone, or something that has happened in the past, or something someone has said. Every time you see a grapefruit it could remind you of holiday, simply because you only ever eat grapefruit for breakfast when you are on holiday. Knowing this, Jesus said, every time you eat bread and drink wine, remember my death. The disciples ate bread and drank wine maybe three or four times a day. If we just use our meal times to cause us to remember the cross, we will never forget His love for us.
Hopefully this is what you have learnt;
Strange but True.
You may think it strange that a loving God should allow His children to be attacked by Satan. The last few verses in Romans ch 8, (and the book of Job.) seem to indicate that sometimes He positively arranges it.
God is just like any other parent. He is very proud of his children. (Hence the picture of my only beloved son opening our newly built church.)
He is thrilled at their first words in prayer and their first steps in faith. He even boasts of them. He could not refrain from shouting from heaven after Jesus had lived without sinning in Nazareth for thirty years. He boasts of his children to his arch enemy, as He did with Job. (see Job ch 1) The enemy tries to break the child of God’s contact with its heavenly father, by sending sin and hard times. This gives God even more occasion to boast.
‘‘Have you seen my child, how strong he is in faith. He continues to believe in me and my love even though at times he can’t see much evidence for it.”
That is genuine spiritual life, and proves that Satan’s attempts to kill it have failed. God has triumphed and Satan has not only been out-witted but totally defeated. Eternity will prove that beyond all doubt. While here on earth we know it by faith.
God’s eternal plan, “forced through” only by the power of His love towards us, has worked. He is truly a God of Wisdom, Love and Power. It is in His wisdom that he is more different to mankind. We can sometimes agree about his Love and Power, but few human minds will ever be able to comprehend his wisdom in allowing Satan and “evil” to persist for so long on this earth.
The Apostle Paul brings this “essay” on the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a wonderful conclusion in Romans ch 11 v. 33.
I hope your understanding of the Gospel will enable you to join Paul in his wonderment.
Rom 11:33-36
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the Lord? or who has been his counsellor?
Or who has first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
He is thrilled at their first words in prayer and their first steps in faith. He even boasts of them. He could not refrain from shouting from heaven after Jesus had lived without sinning in Nazareth for thirty years. He boasts of his children to his arch enemy, as He did with Job. (see Job ch 1) The enemy tries to break the child of God’s contact with its heavenly father, by sending sin and hard times. This gives God even more occasion to boast.
‘‘Have you seen my child, how strong he is in faith. He continues to believe in me and my love even though at times he can’t see much evidence for it.”
That is genuine spiritual life, and proves that Satan’s attempts to kill it have failed. God has triumphed and Satan has not only been out-witted but totally defeated. Eternity will prove that beyond all doubt. While here on earth we know it by faith.
God’s eternal plan, “forced through” only by the power of His love towards us, has worked. He is truly a God of Wisdom, Love and Power. It is in His wisdom that he is more different to mankind. We can sometimes agree about his Love and Power, but few human minds will ever be able to comprehend his wisdom in allowing Satan and “evil” to persist for so long on this earth.
The Apostle Paul brings this “essay” on the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a wonderful conclusion in Romans ch 11 v. 33.
I hope your understanding of the Gospel will enable you to join Paul in his wonderment.
Rom 11:33-36
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the Lord? or who has been his counsellor?
Or who has first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Quiz.
We have only dealt very briefly with these great chapters in the bible.
You are earnestly exhorted to read these chapters over and over again. Finally can you answer these questions?
1. What does the right kind of faith depend upon?
2. Give four ways in which God has revealed Himself to man.
3. What does Paul prove in chapters 1-3?
4. Why did God send the law?
5. What does Justified by faith mean?
6. What do Abraham and David teach us?
7. Give three reasons for not continuing to sin even though you know there is no law to condemn you.
8. What is the difference between guilt before you became a christian, and the “guilt” (conviction) after?
9. What two methods does Satan use to break our lifeline with God?
10. What is the Christian’s weapon against these attacks?
11. What does it mean to live in the spirit?
12. Why is it important that man is eventually ‘‘glorified’’?
13. What three parts does your soul consist of?
14. What is the significance of Paul quoting Ps 44. in ch.8.?
15. How does the bird and the stone illustrate an important truth?
16. What particular feature of the gospel marks the difference between true religion and false religion, or between the true Christian and the false one.?
17. Define the following:
a, Sin.
b, Faith.
c, Grace.
d. Hope
e, Forgiveness.
f, Righteousness
18. Why does Creation Groan?
19. Have you read these chapters at least three times?
If not , why not??
You are earnestly exhorted to read these chapters over and over again. Finally can you answer these questions?
1. What does the right kind of faith depend upon?
2. Give four ways in which God has revealed Himself to man.
3. What does Paul prove in chapters 1-3?
4. Why did God send the law?
5. What does Justified by faith mean?
6. What do Abraham and David teach us?
7. Give three reasons for not continuing to sin even though you know there is no law to condemn you.
8. What is the difference between guilt before you became a christian, and the “guilt” (conviction) after?
9. What two methods does Satan use to break our lifeline with God?
10. What is the Christian’s weapon against these attacks?
11. What does it mean to live in the spirit?
12. Why is it important that man is eventually ‘‘glorified’’?
13. What three parts does your soul consist of?
14. What is the significance of Paul quoting Ps 44. in ch.8.?
15. How does the bird and the stone illustrate an important truth?
16. What particular feature of the gospel marks the difference between true religion and false religion, or between the true Christian and the false one.?
17. Define the following:
a, Sin.
b, Faith.
c, Grace.
d. Hope
e, Forgiveness.
f, Righteousness
18. Why does Creation Groan?
19. Have you read these chapters at least three times?
If not , why not??