Romans - session 2
Chapters 7 & 8
In this remarkable letter that St. Paul sent to the Romans, one aspect seems to take precedence. We. As Believers, are under the fathomless GRACE of God. As C. S. Lewis once said, "Grace is what separates Christianity from all other religions." This can be, and usually is, very difficult to understand, believe, and accept, even among conscientious students of the Bible. For agnostics and atheists, I think it's nearly impossible.
A very quotable sentence from Paul in Ch. 7:15 reminds us of our human failings:
A very quotable sentence from Paul in Ch. 7:15 reminds us of our human failings:
For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate I do . . . who will rescue me from this body of death? O, thanks be to God! He will! Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
WE ARE RESCUED BY THE GRACE OF GOD
What has His Grace got to do with me trying to be a Christian?, I was once asked. Here's a Scripture one can use when asked this;
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. because, through Him, the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do [including all the rules and regulations to make one "look" Christian] . . . God did, by sending His son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. (Romans 8:1-3)
GOD'S GRACE ABOUNDS
Now, where does the Spirit fit into all of this? Oh, I was always glad when someone asked this question! As Believers, "you are not under the sinful nature, but under the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives within you. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ" (Romans 8:9).
GOD'S GRACE IS THE GIFT
GOD'S SPIRIT IS THE KEY
GOD'S LOVE IS HIS MOTIVATION
A close friend mine has this phrase of Scripture as her "by-word".
GOD'S GRACE IS THE GIFT
GOD'S SPIRIT IS THE KEY
GOD'S LOVE IS HIS MOTIVATION
A close friend mine has this phrase of Scripture as her "by-word".
For you did not receive a spirit of fear, but a Spirit of sonship. And by Him, we cry 'Abba', Father.
In modern English "Abba" would be Daddy or Papa . . . implying a close, personal relationship with God. This caused a student to ask, "How do we communicate in this kind of relationship?" In the very next verse Paul told us how it works.
The Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. (Romans 8:16)
Remember: the Apostle John told us that Jesus said, "You must be born of the Spirit . . . the Spirit gives birth to spirit" (John 3:5-8). You see, otherwise, we would be unable to communicate with God's Spirit. Only through our own spirit (not the fleshly mind) can we know God, hear His voice and call Him "Papa". Have we "ears to hear?"
Then you will read a well-quoted verse . . . some seem to think it solves all problems and worries.
Then you will read a well-quoted verse . . . some seem to think it solves all problems and worries.
. . . and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.
Then the next phrase is ignored, but is MOST important! "who are fitting in with His purpose" (the Living Bible, Romans 8:28). Are we fitting in?
In the next verse, your Bible may read "and those He predestined . . . He justified and glorified." Does this spell out individual people to you? It doesn't to me. Try this: "for those who respond to His call, He has planned for those to go on to glory." This is one of those phrases that is up for interpretation, and has been down through the ages. It is often taken out of context, as is Romans 8:28. It is wise to read ALL of Romans before one enters a discussion of this sort.
In the next verse, your Bible may read "and those He predestined . . . He justified and glorified." Does this spell out individual people to you? It doesn't to me. Try this: "for those who respond to His call, He has planned for those to go on to glory." This is one of those phrases that is up for interpretation, and has been down through the ages. It is often taken out of context, as is Romans 8:28. It is wise to read ALL of Romans before one enters a discussion of this sort.
"LET THOSE WHO HAVE EARS HEAR"
As Christ said, through the letters to the churches in the book of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3. We need to have deeper Spiritual "hearing" and understanding. Let St. Paul help you through this special letter. God bless!