I Am Convinced

“I am convinced.”

Reading: Romans 8:18-39

This letter to the Roman’s, was written by Paul during his three month visit to Corinth, towards the end of his third missionary journey, in about AD56.

In this letter he systematically sets out his understanding of some of the fundamental principles of the Gospel.

1. The Source and Power for Salvation. “It is the power of God to salvation to everyone who has faith.” (Romans 1:16)

2. The universal need for salvation. “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Romans (3:23)

3. Justification is by faith in Christ Jesus alone. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

4. Salvation is a gracious gift of God, on the basis of the atoning work of Christ. This is seen in His life, death and resurrection.

In chapter 8, we are brought to a place, where he starts to compare his present condition, with what is to come. He starts to write about how he holds things in proportion. How that he was able to maintain his walk with Christ, without the various circumstances with which he frequently found himself in, causing him to deviate from what he has been created to be and what he has been called to do.

(Romans 8:18) “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

So often we get things out of proportion. The pressures which come to everyone of us are real. Yet the outcome of how we deal with them is dependent upon what we are aiming for, and how we see ourselves in that.

Paul had suffered and was still to suffer more, for being a Christian. Yet by holding all things in comparison with that which was yet to be revealed, he was able to press on with purpose and direction. He knew where he was going. He had delved into the Scriptures and sort God, to discover not only this for him personally, but to see something of the totality of the purposes of God for this world.

(Romans8:19) “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.”

Creation knows what is going on, because it eagerly waiting. Waiting for what? “The revealing of the sons of God.” Who are the sons of God?

(John 1:12-13) “But as many as receive Him, to them gave He power to become sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

(Romans 8:14) “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”

(Galatians 3:26) “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.”

(Philippians 2:14-15) “Do all things without murmurings and disputings; That you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among who you shine as lights in the world.”

(1 Peter 3:1-2) “Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; therefore the world knows us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like Him as He is.”

The sons of God are those who are in Christ Jesus. One of the characteristics of being a son of God, is being a peace maker. Jesus said in:

(Matthew 5:9; “Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be called the sons of God.”

Now according to Paul, the whole of creation is waiting for us to be just that. For as we become what we have been created to be, so the creation will find its deliverance from this;

(Romans 8:21) “BONDAGE OF CORRUPTION into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”

He clearly links a number of these things to the future in verse 23. Yet nevertheless it affects his life here today. That is why he is able to say;

(Romans 8:28) “..we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Individual details view in isolation, make a disproportionate claim upon our attention and time. We become slaves to each and every crisis, no matter how large or small. Instead of being, “more than conquerors through Christ Jesus.” We become the vanquished, the conquered, and subject to the while and whims of the flesh, the swings of our emotions and agendas of others.