Romans 8:1-28
Who wouldn’t want or desire to escape God’s condemnation? Verse One informs us that we who are in Christ Jesus...we escape.
But...we must really and truly walk NOT in the flesh but in the Spirit.
Too many want their cake and to eat it too. They want the prize but prefer not to live the life...to walk the talk...not just talk the walk.
But, God knows your heart. He knows what every man and woman has in their hearts and nothing...no wool...can be pulled over His eyes.
God calls it “carnal knowledge” (verse 6). He tells us that if we are carnal (of this world) in our mind that death is in store for us. We all know that we must all die, but He refers to the “Second Death!” All those that die as carnal men and women will be resurrected for what He calls the Great White Throne of Judgment.
The Second Death is not really about dying...it is about being tormented forever in what He calls the “Lake of Fire” which He constructed for none other than Satan himself. But Satan will not be there alone. There will be many who live in the flesh...who are carnal in nature...who will accompany him.
So what is the opposite of a carnal mind? It’s a mind that is on and about those things that are of the (Holy) Spirit. You will know it when one is “spiritually minded” which is “life and peace” according to verse six.
Those that are carnally-minded are enemies of God (verse seven). At one point we were all considered His enemies. But for those that accepted Christ as their Savior...well they are no longer His enemy. I’m not...how about you?
Verse ten tells us that if we have Christ in us...we are alive because of righteousness. Righteousness comes from God through His Son Jesus to us...when we accept Him as our personal Savior. Have you done that? If not...why not? When then?
[EXAMPLE]
Each one of us is in debt...Yep...those that are righteous are in debt to God. Those that are not...well they are in debt to the flesh. You might say that Satan owns them because they are unable to pay their debt.
Verse fourteen describes we that are of the Spirit as “sons of God.” What a great and wonderful honor...to be called a son or daughter of the Most High! Take time to think about that. Can you or me placed any higher than that?
What an Honor...an honor we do not deserve...but yet He has bestowed that title on you and me...Wow!
Verse fifteen tells us that for that we should cry “Abba, Father!” Let us do that right now! Thank you Abba, Father. Praise Your Name LORD GOD.
Verse sixteen tells us that we have the Holy Spirit as our witness that we indeed are a Child of God. Amen.
We as heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ will suffer as Christ did. That’s the bad news...But...and that’s a big but! For a short moment of suffering, we will earn an eternity of glory! Amen. That’s what we are told in verses 16 & 17. It’s a promise from God!
You should be asking yourself, “Why NOT me?” It can be...It should be. He is there for you...you just need to accept Him as Your Savior. That’s all it takes. His Holy Spirit will do the rest! Amen.
We are saved by Hope according to verse 24. Hope is belief in something unseen. Something we patiently wait for...and that is Christ our Savior’s return. Yep...that is the hope we Christians...and perhaps now you...have in our hearts.
That is what gets us through our day...what helps us with each and every obstacle.
We have hope! We have the Holy Spirit which Christ left us to intercede. He, the Holy Spirit intercedes and leads us in the will of God. And how then can anything really turn out so bad. He reminds us that for those that love God...who have been called for His purpose...that all things will work out for the good.
So, why in the world would a person not want to be included in this awesome family? To be considered a son or a daughter and a brother or sister to His Holy Son Jesus...why would anyone want to ignore or reject such a promise?
Every book of His Bible, every chapter in every book and every verse in every passage, has one message for you and me: Come… Come my son...Come my daughter...Come to the Father and His Son...and we will give you rest.
Join me in that rest...please join me and your brothers and sisters...there is a place for you. God loves you and so do I.
