Romans 8: 1. ‘’Not guilty, let him go free’’. What would those words mean to you if you were on death row? The fact is that the whole human race is on death row, justly condemned for repeatedly breaking God’s law. Without Jesus we would have no hope at all. But thank God !!! He has declared us not guilty and has offered us freedom from sin and power to do his will.
Romans 8:2. This spirit of life is the Holy Spirit. He was present at the creation of the world, and he is the power of the rebirth of every Christian. He gives us the power we need to live the Christian life.
Romans 8:3. Jesus gave himself as a sacrifice for our sins. In old testament times, animal sacrifices were continually offered at the temple. The sacrifices showed the Israelites the seriousness of sin, blood had to be shed before sins could be pardoned. But animal blood could not really remove sins. The sacrifices could only point to Jesus’ sacrifice, which paid the penalty for all sins.
Romans 8:5,6. Paul divides people into two categories, those who are dominated by their sinful nature, and those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit. All of us would be in the first category if Jesus hadn’t offered us a way out. Once we have said yes to Jesus, we will want to continue following him, because his way brings life and peace.
Romans 8:9 Have you ever worried whether or not you really are a Christian? A Christian is anyone who has the Spirit of God living in him or her. If you have sincerely trusted Christ for your salvation and acknowledged him as Lord, then the Holy Spirit has come into your life,and you are a Christian.
Romans 8:11. The Holy Spirit is God’s promise or guarantee of eternal life for those who believe in him. The spirit is in us now by Faith, and by Faith we are certain to live in Christ forever.
Romans 8:13. ‘’Put to death the misdeeds of the body’’ means to regard as dead the power of sin in your body. When we regard sin’s appeal as dead and lifeless, we can ignore temptation when it comes.
Romans 8:17. We are no longer cringing and fearful slaves, instead , we are the masters children. What a privilege!! Because we are God’s children, we share in great treasures as coheirs. God has already given us his best gifts: his son, his Holy Spirit, forgiveness, and eternal life, and he encourages us to ask him for whatever we need. There is a price to be paid for being identified with Jesus. Along with being ‘’heirs of God’’, Paul also mentions the suffering that Christians must face. What kinds of suffering are we to endure? For first century believers, there was economic and social persecution, and some even faced death. We too must pay a price for following Jesus. In many parts of today’s world, Christians face pressures just as severe as those faced by Christ’s first followers. Even in countries where Christianity is tolerated or encouraged, Christians must not become complacent. To live as Jesus did, serving others, giving up one’s own right’s , resisting pressures to conform to the world, always exacts a price. Nothing we suffer, however, can compare to the great price that Jesus paid to save us.
I don’t want to hang out in the barn yard with the turkeys, when God has called me to soar with the Eagles.
Image reference:pastorgraphics.com
GZ/KZ
No comments:
Post a Comment