Looking through Romans 8

[DeaconDean]

"THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS"

Chapter Eight

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To appreciate the place the Holy Spirit has in the lives of
Christians

2) To notice the power to overcome sin which is available in Christ

3) To realize the extent of God's love toward us

SUMMARY

In chapter seven, Paul described the dilemma of a man who becomes a
prisoner of the law of sin which is in the members of his body. In
the last few verses, Paul made reference to the hope of liberation
made possible by God through Jesus Christ. In this chapter, Paul
amplifies on the freedom from sin found in Christ.

First, for those in Christ who are walking according to the Spirit,
there is no condemnation for sin, for the death of Christ for sin has
set us free from the law of sin and death by fulfilling the
requirement of the law (1-4). Second, by setting our minds on the
things of the Spirit and not the flesh, we are able to enjoy life and
peace, pleasing God (5-8). And third, we now enjoy the indwelling of
the Spirit of God, by whom we can put to death the deeds of the body
and enjoy both present and future blessings as the children of God
(9-17).

The blessings of being God's children are enlarged upon in the rest of
the chapter. Our present sufferings mean nothing in view of our
ultimate redemption and revealing for which we eagerly and patiently
wait (18-25). We have the privilege of the Holy Spirit and Jesus
interceding for us when we pray, which assures that all things will
work together for good for those called according to God's purpose
(26-30). Finally, as God's elect we have the assurance that nothing
can tear us away from God's love and that in all things we are more
than conquerors through Him who loved us (31-39).

OUTLINE

I. IN CHRIST THERE IS FREEDOM FROM SIN (1-17)

A. FREEDOM FROM THE CONDEMNATION OF SIN (1-4)
1. Available to those in Christ, made possible by the law of the
Spirit of life (1-2)
2. An accomplishment not attained by the Law, but by the death of
Christ (3-4)

B. FREEDOM FROM THE POWER OF SIN (5-17)
1. To those who set their minds on the things of the Spirit, not
the flesh, pleasing God (5-8)
2. To those who have the indwelling Holy Spirit (9-11)
3. To those who by the Spirit put to death the deeds of the body
(12-13)
4. To those thus led, who are the children of God and joint heirs
with Christ (14-17)

II. BLESSINGS OF BEING CHILDREN OF GOD (18-39)

A. THE GLORY TO BE REVEALED IN US (18-25)
1. Present sufferings don't even compare (18)
2. The whole creation eagerly awaits for the revealing and
glorious liberty of the children of God (19-22)
3. We also eagerly wait with perseverance for this hope (23-25)

B. THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (26-27)
1. Helps in our weakness as we pray (26a)
2. By interceding for us as we pray (26b-27)

C. ALL THINGS WORKING TOGETHER FOR GOOD (28-30)
1. For those who love God, called according to His purpose (28)
2. For such, whom God foreknew, He will carry out His ultimate
purpose (29-30)

D. GOD'S LOVE TOWARD HIS ELECT (31-39)
1. God, who spared not His own Son, is on our side (31-33)
2. Christ, who died for us, now intercedes for us at God's right
hand (34)
3. Through such love we are more than conquerors over all things
(35-39)

WORDS TO PONDER

law of the Spirit of life - 1) possibly an expression referring to the
Gospel; or, 2) the law (principle)
involving the life-giving Spirit who aids
those in Christ to become free of the "law
of sin and death" in their members
(cf. 7:23 with 8:11-13)

the Spirit, Spirit of God, Spirit of Christ, Spirit of Him - various
references to the Holy Spirit

the creation - various explanations are often given: 1) all of
mankind; 2) only the saved; 3) the whole physical
creation placed under the curse (Ge 3:17; 8:21;
Re 22:3), using the kind of language found in Ps 98:7-9;
148:1-14.

intercedes - to make a petition on behalf of another; used of the Holy
Spirit in v. 26-27 (interceding as a "translator"?), and
of Christ in v. 34 (interceding as "defense counsel"?)

election - God's choice of individuals from "the foundation of the world" unto salvation. (Eph. 1:4-5,11; Rom. 8:28-30)

foreknowledge - foreknowledge in this context must be understood to refer back to the "called" or election of verse 28 and not in the sense of God having foreknowledge of "forseen" works or faith in an individual that merited election. In other words, why did God fore-know those individuals, because He called (elected) them first. Rom. 8:28) If he elected them , then He would know them. (v. 29) But not from a sense of foreknowledge of works or faith on our part. The meaning is the same in 1 Pet. 3:20 where Jesus was "foreordained" from the foundation of the world, so the elect are.

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) List the main points of this chapter
- In Christ There Is Freedom From Sin (1-17)
- Blessings Of Being Children Of God (18-39)

2) What is the main difference between the "law of Moses" and the "law
of the Spirit of life"? (2-4)
- The Law of Moses could not set one free from the "law of sin and
death"

3) What is the result of setting your mind on the things of the flesh?
On the things of the Spirit? (6)
- Death; life and peace

4) Do the Scriptures teach that the Holy Spirit dwells in the
Christian? (9-11)
- Yes

5) How can we assure that we will continue to live spiritually? (13)
- By putting to death the deeds of the body with the help of the
Spirit

6) List briefly the blessings of being the children of God (14-39)
- One day we will be glorified together with Christ
- We have the help of the Holy Spirit
- All things ultimately work for our good
- Nothing can separate us from God's love

(Please feel free to share or pass along this as you need, as you have received freely, give freely)

God Bless

Till all are one.

[intricatic]

Some very interesting thoughts there, Dean. Let's see if we can get some discussion rolling.

[Godfearinglady]

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.

Romans 8: 28


With Job God allowed Satan to attack him. Satan took away his family and wealth. After all that he went through he remained every faithful to God. From the troubles that he endured Job realized how strong he was, Satan realized how strong he was and We present day christians have an example to look upon whenever storms ,such as Job's or even smaller ones come in to our lives.


I interpret that verse to me that whatever bad comes to a christian God can transform it in to something beautiful and useful.

[stargirl]

Reading back over what you have written:
5) How can we assure that we will continue to live spiritually? (13)
- By putting to death the deeds of the body with the help of the
Spirit
How do we do this? Putting to death the deeds of the body must be an involved process, or we wouldn't struggle with sin, would we??
Do we "put to death the deeds of the body" through prayer?????

[DeaconDean]

Originally Posted by stargirl

Reading back over what you have written:
5) How can we assure that we will continue to live spiritually? (13)
- By putting to death the deeds of the body with the help of the
Spirit
How do we do this? Putting to death the deeds of the body must be an involved process, or we wouldn't struggle with sin, would we??
Do we "put to death the deeds of the body" through prayer?????

It is called "Sanctification."

We all will struggle with sin until the day we die. That is just a fact of life. Paul wrote:

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit...That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." -Rom. 8:1, 4 (KJV)

Paul also wrote to the church at Corinth, that was a carnal church:

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." -2 Cor. 6:17 (KJV)

I know that alcohol is a trap for me, so I steer clear of it. I "sanctify" myself from it. And you should do the same. You know what sins "easily beset us" (Heb. 12:1) so you should sanctify yourself against them.

Yes, you should pray about things like that. i know that if I start back drinking, what my end shall be. So when I am around relatives who do drink, I always tell them I'll just have coffee. if they ask, I'm honest about it, I tell them what I was and where God has brought me to.

Yes pray, but we must always be aware of those things which could easily trip us up, and avoid them.

Sanctification!

"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." -Jn. 17:17 (KJV)

"That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word," -Eph. 5:26 (KJV)

God Bless

Till all are one.

[stargirl]

Yes, I am aware of the sin that easily besets me personally. But I don't know this word "sanctification." Oh, I've read over the word for years, but it has never gained my attention until now. So, I've been digging to see what I could discover.
Years ago, I remember a girl coming to school all dressed up in white--and someone asked her why. She replied, "I was sanctified at Church yesterday."

[intricatic]

Sanctification has traditionally meant a setting aside for God, or to make a thing clean before God;

40 “For Aaron’s sons you shall make tunics, and you shall make sashes for them. And you shall make hats for them, for glory and beauty. 41 So you shall put them on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him. You shall anoint them, consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to Me as priests.
(Exodus 28)

19 “All the firstborn males that come from your herd and your flock you shall sanctify to the LORD your God; you shall do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock. 20 You and your household shall eat it before the LORD your God year by year in the place which the LORD chooses. 21 But if there is a defect in it, if it is lame or blind or has any serious defect, you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. 22 You may eat it within your gates; the unclean and the clean person alike may eat it, as if it were a gazelle or a deer. 23 Only you shall not eat its blood; you shall pour it on the ground like water.
(Deuteronomy 15)