Romans 8 Life

And we know in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

I’ve been reading and studying Romans 8 a lot lately.  There is so much in this chapter about how to live out the Christian life.  It’s one thing to read it and study it.  It’s another thing to believe it and follow it.  Let’s study it together and believe what God’s Word says!  May the Truth in God’s Word penetrate our lives and lead us to victory in Jesus!

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Vs. 1)

How much condemnation are we supposed to live with daily?  The answer is NONE!  There is no room for it in our lives.  Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sins so that we would not have to stand condemned before our Father God.  Yet, we continue to carry our guilt and condemnation around like baggage, as if to tell God what He did was not good enough.  Somehow we think we will pay our own way into Heaven.  Even though the Bible says, “…all our righteous acts are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6, NIV)…” We will never be good enough on our own, we need freedom from our sin!  Freedom from the baggage we carry around that tells us we are not good enough.

“because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life SET ME FREE from the law of sin and death.” (Vs. 2)

Jesus set you free.  What are you waiting for?  Why do you want to keep holding on to the things that keep you bound up and make your load more wearisome?  Hand it all over to the One who SET YOU FREE from the law of sin and death.  The Romans 8 life is more fulfilling and a lot more easy, than the life I think most of us tend to live.  We tend to take on a lot of condemnation, a lot of extra burdens, and a lot of the past.  Jesus shared this with us, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28, NIV).” God can handle all your burdens a whole lot better than you can.  I think it’s time to hand in the burdens of this world for the rest that God wants to provide.

“The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans (Vs. 6)

There is no life in sin.  Sin brings death to you, your family, and everyone around you.  Do not let your mind be overcome by sinful desire?  Each one of us must search God’s Truth and fill our minds with it daily.  We must study it, memorize it, and let it control our minds.  May God’s Truth lead us.  May His Truth give us the life and peace we long for.  May our minds start to grab on to an eternal perspective!

“And we know in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Vs. 28)

How many things work together for God’s good?  ALL THINGS! God doesn’t leave anything out.  Yes, we may not understand the meaning of what is going on at the time, but God knows and He will work it out for good.  It’s important to understand that we sometimes have to enjoy the journey with God, it is not all about the destination.  In fact, I think about my little niece and nephew who came to visit me this last week with my sister and brother-in-law.  This was a big trip for them in the car from Minnesota to Florida.  They did not fully understand the length of time it would take to get from Minnesota to Florida.  They just knew they were coming.  They had to trust their parents to get here.  We often forget that God is driving.  He knows the way and sometimes even though it doesn’t make much sense that it’s taking so long to get to our destination… we still need to trust that He has our best interest in mind.  He has not forgotten us.

“…If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Vs. 31)

This is an amazing statement.  There is no one bigger than God.  No one who can fight harder than God.  No one who has more strength than God.  No one who has more answers than God.  No one who knows you better than God.  And certainly no one who will be there longer for you than God.  God is for you!  He will always be for you and because of this you never have to fear those who may come against you!  Stand strong in the Lord!  This is the day of victory in Jesus!

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Vs. 37-39)

Dear Father God, Thank You for letting me know that You are the One who arms me with strength.  You have made it possible for me to know that I will never be separated from Your love.  You loved me so deeply that You sent Your Son for me, so I could experience freedom from my sin.  Thank You God for helping me believe that I am not under the law of guilt and condemnation.  I am under the law of freedom, life, and love through Your Son Jesus Christ.  May my life reflect the work and sacrifice that was made for me at the cross!  I love You with all my heart!

Living the Romans 8 Life,