John Chapter Three: The road to salvation – we study Paul's letter to the Romans: Romans Chapter 8

Documentation Published on 5 September 2024

The Road to Salvation – We Study Paul's Letter to the Romans, Chapter 8

Introduction

Chapters 6 and 7 explain the inner struggle. In these two chapters there is not much focus on the spirit. For the unbeliever, as we were, life is actually easy. There is no battle because the unbeliever serves the flesh. The spirit has not yet been quickened. However, it is when the person is converted that the conflict begins. The spirit is now renewed and made alive, but the flesh is not yet. This battle between the spirit and the flesh will last our whole life, but we can be systematically shaped into the image of Jesus Christ. Jesus warned his disciples that the spirit is willing to do what is right, but the flesh is weak. See Mark 14:38.

The good news

Paul begins chapter 8 with very good news, and this is where the human spirit clearly emerges. The word Spirit is mentioned 13 times. There is no condemnation for the believer who is in Jesus Christ. Condemnation begins in the soul/mind. It's how we feel about ourselves. Often we judge ourselves unnecessarily. However, there are only two options. You are either condemned as an unbeliever, or not condemned as a believer. See John 3:17-18. Satan will try to convince any believer that he is still condemned. God says it is not true. Who are you going to believe? Who are you going to feed? Stop focusing on your shortcomings (condemnation) and instead focus on worship.

The person who came to salvation was freed from the law (verse 2). Everything has become new. See 2 Corinthians 5:17. However, it was necessary for Jesus to come to earth in the flesh (verse 3; John 1:1-5) so that man could see that even in the flesh we could be reconciled to God. Despite the fact that we live in the flesh, we can still serve God in the spirit. However, we must remember that the flesh still fights against the spirit. See verses five through nine. Verse 9 clearly states that a person is not saved because he goes to church, but if the Spirit is in him. The body is still dead, but the spirit is alive.

We get the promise that our mortal bodies will also be made alive in verse 11. This is a very important dogmatic statement. Paul uses one whole, and very long, chapter to describe this. Read 1 Corinthians 15 carefully. At present our spirit is renewed, but not yet the body. The body as it is now cannot enter the kingdom of God. Think for a moment about your physical shortcomings and mistakes. What do you struggle with physically that others may not have a problem with? All these shortcomings will be undone at the Coming of Jesus Christ when the body is changed (1 Cor 15:51-53).

The work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer in our fight against sin

Paul mentions three aspects of the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

First, the Holy Spirit lives in us (verse 11). The same Holy Spirit who raised Jesus Christ from the dead is the Holy Spirit who enables us not to sin. However, we must not feed the one who wants to rob us of our faith. If I deliberately expose myself to sin, I will sin and feed evil. So I have to shut off the power source.
Secondly, the Holy Spirit confirms that we are children of God (verse 16). Because we are children, we are also heirs. We are not adopting children. As children we have a father - Abba Father. However, "Abba" is not just like an earthly father but carries the meaning of and therefore one of respect for God as our Father. We may need to learn to behave more respectfully towards Him.

Verses 16 and 17 contain a further promise. The Holy Spirit confirms our saved state, and He testifies to it. Because we are children of God, we are heirs because we suffer with Him. What does suffering mean in this context? Think about your life right now as a believer. Is it easy? First, there is the inner struggle. Second, there are the challenges and temptations of the world that want to make you see that the life of the believer is not worth it. Finally, we get the onslaught against believers that is increasing daily. It is going to get much worse in our own country because it is run by atheists and satanists. However, we know that the end of all this will be that our flesh will also be renewed, and spirit and flesh will enter God's kingdom together. It is a wonderful prospect.

Thirdly, the Spirit intervenes for us when we are weak (verse 26) and do not know how to pray. When we are really at the end of what is humanly possible, the Holy Spirit intervenes for us. He knows our hearts through and through and connects us with the heart of the Father.

Our future, our hope

Verses 18-25 refer. What we experience in this world is nothing compared to what we will experience one day. Even the whole creation looks forward to the day when the believers will be fully revealed. Creation is currently also bearing the consequences of the fall of man. When Jesus Christ reigns on earth during the millennium, nature is restored, among other things. Isaiah writes a lot about it. This is our hope (Titus 2:13). This hope, your faith, is the theme of Hebrews 11.

Does everything always work together for good?

Look at Romans 8:28. We must understand this text verse in its context. This does not mean that everything on this earth will always go right for us, seen from our perspective. We often focus so much on the here and now that we forget about the bigger perspective that God has for our lives. First, He ordained us (chosen on the basis of his omniscience); afterwards He called us to eternal life; further He justified us (justification/justified); and finally, He glorified us in Jesus Christ. So do not think that just because something has not worked out in your life, everything is not working out for the better. We must learn to trust God in everything, in the good and in the less good.

God is on my side

See Romans 8:31-39. God is for us, not against us. We are on the same team. Let us make it personal:

No one can bring any accusation against me (verse 33). Why not? Because God has declared me righteous. Go look again at the lecture on justification, Soteriology 8. We did it a long time ago, with a view to this text today!
No one can condemn me (verse 34). Why not? Because Christ intercedes for me with the Father.
Nothing can separate me from God's love for me (verse 35). Psalm 44:22 already mentioned long ago that we [I] are counted as sheep for slaughter by the world. Why can nothing separate me from Him? Because He sees me as more (verse 37) than a conqueror. I may think that it is sufficient that I have triumphed over something. In God's eyes, I am much more than just a conqueror. My brain cannot comprehend this thought.

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