Life in the Spirit

April 2, 1995

Reflections on a Golden Chapter

This is not a sermon— but is a review of a major resource for personal spiritual victory— the treasure of Romans 8. There are a number of Golden Chapters that have truth we turn to nearly every day - some days we live in one Chapter, sometimes another - -

I've been referring to Psalm 107 a lot lately ... you may well have your favorite chapters. It is well to become acquainted with many of them, because we need the strength they give. Again and again I refer to John 15 and abiding in the Vine ... to Philippians 2:5, and Philippians 4, and to Galatians 5, the fruit of the Spirit, and Ephesians 6 and the whole armor .. and Ephesians 4, the "church chapter, and on and on.

Romans 8 is about LIFE as it can be lived in the Spirit, by the Spirit, through the Spirit of Christ living in us. It is, or ought to be, a chapter of great encouragement.

There are some statements of FACT— or the believer's STANDING in Christ because of the reality of life in the Spirit. Look at some of these statements:

If we are born again... WE ARE ALIVE IN CHRIST BY HIS SPIRIT

Verse 8: They that are "in the flesh" cannot please God. coupled with Verse 9: Christians are NOT in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in us.

If you are a Christian you have the Spirit living in you - - - - - your STANDING is "in Christ"

Verse 9 "If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ he does not belong to Him (also 14) All who ARE LED by the Spirit of God are children of God.

If we are born again... WE WILL HAVE ASSURANCE (FROM TIME TO TIME) THAT WE REALLY ARE GOD'S CHILDREN!

Verse 15 - 16 Something in us cries out "Father!" (John Borders calls it "DAD!")

If we are born again... WE ARE STILL NOT YET ALL WE WILL BE

Paul speaks about sharing in the SUFFERING with Jesus (verse 17) in order that we also may be glorified with Him.

Verse 18 The sufferings of this present time do not compare with the glory that shall be revealed in us.

Does that mean when we die by and bye? Yes. But it also means that we aren't perfect or worthy as we are just now.

Christians live by HOPE! There is a difference in our STANDING, that is our POSITIONAL UNITY WITH JESUS and our STATE, or the circumstances, understanding, imperfection of our situation in a very imperfect world:

Verse 23 Not just the creation at large is groaning with the childbirth-pains of being set free from corruption... BUT WE (PAUL AND YOU AND ME) WHO HAVE THE SPIRIT BEARING WITNESS THAT WE ARE GOD'S CHILDREN— WE ALSO GROAN FROM TIME TO TIME AS WE WAIT THE FULL REDEMPTION THAT WILL BE.

So we live by hope... Verse 24 For IN HOPE we have been saved—

Christians live stretched out... living by faith ... trusting a Father we cannot see ... reaching out in our infirmity to God. BUT

If we are born again... THE SPIRIT HELPS US IN OUR WEAKNESS

Verse 26 ...and a primary place the Spirit helps us is in our PRAYER LIFE.

The word says specifically that "we do not know how to pray as we ought .. but that the Spirit HIMSELF makes groanings for us which cannot be uttered.

The SPIRIT can "translate our hunger after God" — our desire for LOVE PEACE JOY .. to the God who will both hear and answer.

If we are born again... THERE IS NO SITUATION WHERE GOD WILL NOT WORK FOR OUR GOOD AND HIS GLORY

Verse 28 - it was true before it was written (Joseph) "You meant it to me for harm - God has used it for good!"

Some rhetorical questions for our encouragement from a Golden Chapter

  1. Verse 31 IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?

    Think about it; if you are honestly seeking to do God's will you have "Luther's THE RIGHT MAN ON OUR SIDE. THE MAN OF GOD'S OWN CHOOSING!" and all hell cannot keep you from doing God's will!

  2. Verse 32 IF GOD SENT HIS SON, THEN DOES IT MAKE SENSE HE WILL DRAW BACK FROM FOLLOWING UP WITH WHATEVER ELSE IS NECESSARY TO SAVE US?

    The question answers itself.

  3. Verse 33 WHO CAN (SUCCESSFULLY) ACCUSE THE CHILD OF GOD?

    God has justified you. He is the One who counts.

  4. Verse 35 WHO SHALL EVER SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD?

    When God LOVES— it is forever!

During the Lenten Season it is a time to seek to go into the heart of fellowship with God. It is a time not so much for DOING good as it is to SEEK TO BE IN GOD'S PRESENCE and realize how much HE loves us.

Henri Nouwen told a group of Baptist ministers who came to find help in their work:

"Ministry is the least important thing. You cannot not minister is you are in communion with god and live in community. A lot of people are concerned about: how can I help people? Or help the youth to come to Christ? Or preach well? But these are all basically non-issues. If you are burning with the love of Jesus, don't worry: everyone will know. They will say, 'I want to get close to this person who is so full of God.'"

I really believe that if we learn to worship well— as a congregation— and as individuals— God will help us do the other vital and necessary work of His kingdom, and do it well.

Use this chapter in your personal worship; let it encourage you.+

#736 I Am So Glad that Jesus Loves Me