There is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus and nothing can separate us from the love of God on Christ. Even so, all things work for good.
Romans 8: Life in the Spirit
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.
8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
Heirs with Christ
12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.
13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"
16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, then heirs---heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Future Glory
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.
20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope
21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.
23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?
25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
God's Everlasting Love
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.
34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died---more than that, who was raised---who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
36 As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Things to think about…
1. Paul opens this grand chapter of Romans 8 with “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Glory! Think about the weight of this truth. The law and its righteous requirements bring condemnation to all of us, but for those in Christ, Jesus says to the law – “peace, be still.” Rejoice folks, this is an unshakable truth. Our inheritance in heaven is assured. This is Paul’s point as a ascends towards the end of the chapter.
2. Paul says in Rom 8:2-11 that we are now living in the Spirit. This Spirit gives life. Those who live according to the flesh are dead. This is the difference of course between those who are right with God and those who are not. The law of God speaks against the law of flesh. Only the Spirit of Christ can give us freedom from the law of the flesh and the judgement of the law of God.
3. We now cry ‘Abba, Father’, Rom 8:15. This is the Spirit of spiritual adoption given by God the Father for us. Look at the condition though. We must suffer in order that we may be glorified, vs 17. Think about this. The suffering spoken of here of course is against the flesh. Easier said than done. But by the Spirit we can do all things through Christ who gives us His strength.
4. Paul says “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us”, Rom 8:18. We sinned, and God subjected all creation to suffering (futility). Was there any noble or glorious purpose in this? Praise God there is. Suffering is the rod used against our sin that produces hope, vs 20. This is completed when we receive the redemption of our bodies, vs 23. This comes at the end of our earthly journey.
5. Our prayer life is given wings through the season that occurs between justification and glorification, Rom 8:26-30. This is the period of our life on the earth as Christians. The challenge is not to waste this short season. Paul’s wonderful but at times challenging truth that “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose”, vs 28 is true for all seasons. Sometimes we need to continue through one period and into the next to find this to be the case, but it invariably is so. The Lord uses the tough times to display His faithfulness in trial or love through discipline. While these seasons are not pleasant, they will reap a harvest of righteousness.
6. What can be said for verses Rom 8:31-39. Is there any better news than this? It is impossible to be separated from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Praise the Lord that our suffering is not in vain. This is the whole point of Paul’s testimony. Whatever comes against us whether seen or unseen, in life and death, the Father’s love for us is secure in Christ. Nothing can come against us because God Himself justifies, vs 33. More than this Christ (God with us) died and rose from the dead, vs 34 confirming His victory over death and our security of eternal life. Amen!.
7. What are your trials at the moment? They have been swallowed up in the victory of our Lord Jesus. Paul repeating Isaiah says “we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered”, vs 36. While this may be true and is true for many disciples of Christ around the globe, nothing seen or unseen, of any power or authority “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord”, vs 39. I can’t tell you the joy this gives me. It is a comfort to know my wife and children have all accepted this amazing truth. Even our personal struggles in our thoughts and actions cannot stand against this truth, Paul has already covered those off in Romans 7. Romans 8 begins with there is no condemnation for the believer, vs 1 not even from the Lord, vs 33, 34 and therefore we are to be thankful with exceeding and abundant joy! There is no better news than this.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer Points
1. Baptism service on Sunday 5th Jan
2. Conversions and more visitors this time of year.
3. Prayer for Israel and Ukraine.
4. Pray for the work we have going on with site development and TMR and the ways forward whether with our friends at the Drive-in or elsewhere.
5. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise the Lord for Carols and Christmas services. Had around 100 people. Biggest Carols in many years. Most were from the community and had never been to CBC.
2. PlayPatch finished. Most we have had this year, 7 families came – mums and dads
3. More baptisms in the new year.
4. Café, music, sound and technical team every week
5. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Baptism service 5th Jan.
2. Working bee at Church 18th Jan
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for January...
Q. 28. What effect did Adam’s sin have on all mankind?
A. All mankind are born in a state of sin and misery.
