Seven Great Gifts From God

Intro: If we compare the Epistle of Paul to the Romans to an expensive ring, Chapter 8 would no doubt be its precious stone! Romans 8 begins with no condemnation, closes with no separation for the believer and in between all things work together for good to those that love God. In this great chapter we shall see God’s seven great gifts to the believer:

1. THE SALVATION OF GOD (Rom. 8:1). Without Christ we are all sinners under God’s sure condemnation and wrath. But in Christ Jesus we are forgiven and reconciled to God and instantly declared not guilty (John 5:24; I Pet. 3:18). Praise God for His gift of salvation and eternal life!

2. THE SPIRIT OF GOD (Rom. 8:9, 11). An unsaved person has no spiritual life for the simple reason that he does not have God’s Spirit. The new birth is a spiritual birth which begins when a repentant and believing sinner accepts Christ (John 1:12). He is then sealed and indwelt by God’s Spirit as a child of God (Eph. 1:13-14). The Holy Spirit in the believer is God’s proof of purchase and possession.

3. THE SURETY OF GOD (Rom. 8:14-16). A surety is a guarantee. God guarantees that, when we receive His Spirit, we will also be led by His Spirit as proof of our sonship. The apostle Paul uses the concept of adoption to make believers understand their new standing before God. In Roman culture the adopted son lost all his rights and standing in his old family and gained all the rights and privileges of a mature and legitimate son in his new family. He also became a full heir to his new family. Likewise, when a sinner repents and becomes a believer in Christ, he gains all the privileges and responsibilities of a son in God’s family (Gal. 4:5-6).

4. THE STRENGTH OF GOD (Rom. 8:26). The Holy Spirit’s companionship in prayer is one of the themes of this chapter. It is the Spirit who urges us to call God "Abba, Father" (v.15). In v. 26, the Holy Spirit joins in to help us by expressing for us what we cannot fully express for ourselves. You may recall that while we were yet sinners, Christ interceded for our sins. Now as believers the Spirit intercedes for our weakness. At times, our weakness is so intense that we do not know what we ought to pray for, but praise God, the Spirit himself intercedes for us (Eph. 6:18).

5. THE SUPPLY OF GOD (Rom. 8:17a, 32). The Bible says that believers in Christ are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. That speaks of God’s great spiritual and material provision for us Christians! Verse 32 says that since God did not spare his own Son, but gave Him up for us all, will He not also, along with Jesus, graciously give us all things that pertain to life and godliness? (II Pet. 1:3). Jesus did not die just to make us happy but rather to make us holy and godly!

6. THE SATISFACTION OF GOD (Rom 8:18). The Bible makes it very clear that becoming a Christian doesn’t mean immunity from suffering and pain. All believers will still suffer for Christ’s sake (Phil. 1:29). However, we can still have victory in suffering by learning that the glory which shall follow is much greater! The present suffering is temporary, while the future glory is eternal! The Bible teaches that when we endure sufferings for Christ now we will also become partakers of His glory (Phil. 3:10; I Pet. 4:13).

7. THE SECURITY OF GOD (Rom 8:38-39). We are secure in Christ—Paul was so convinced, and so should we! Nothing can separate us from God’s love. In both the trials of life in this world or in death, God is with us. No human or satanic forces have power to change what God has done for us in Christ. No events and situations in the present and the future can take us away from God’s love. Nothing on earth and outside of it would make God leave us (Heb. 13:5b).

Conclusion: Friend, this may sound too good but it is true! God offers these seven great gifts right now through His Son Jesus. Will you now repent of your sins and receive Jesus as your Lord and Saviour along with these seven gifts of God?