.tied up.

Wednesday, March 02, 2005

dried tears

Romans 8:18-38
Future Glory
18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
22We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

More Than Conquerors
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died - more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Life Application Study Bible:

8:14-17 We are no longer cringing and fearful slaves; instead, we are the Master's children. What a priveledge! Because we are God's children, we share in great treasures as co-heirs. God has already given us his best gifts: his Son, forgiveness, and eternal life; and he encourages us to ask him for whatever we need.

8:17 There is a price for being identified with Jesus. Along with the great treasures, Paul mentiones the suffering that Christians must face. What kinds of suffering are we to endure? ... Even in countries where Christianity is tolerated or encouraged, Christian must not be complacent. To live as Jesus did-serving others, giving up one's own rights, resisting pressures to conform to the world- always exacts a price. Nothing we suffer, however, can compare to the great price that Jesus paid to save us.

8:19-22 Sin has caused all creation to fall from the perfect state in which God created it. So the world is subject to frustration and bondage to decay so that it cannout fulfill its intended purpose.

8:19-22 Christians see the world as it is-physically decaying and spiritualy infected with sin. But Christians do not need to be pessimistic, because they have a hope for future glory. They look forward to the new heaven and new earth that God has promised, and they wait for God's new order that will free the world of sin, sickness, and evil. In the meantime, Christians go with Christ into the world where they heal people's bodies and souls and fight the evil effects of sin in the world.

8:24, 25 Our heavenly Father, never makes promises he won't keep. Nevertheless, his plan may take more time than we expect. Rather than acting like impatient children as we wait for God's will to unfold, we should place our confidence in God's goodness and wisdom.

8:26, 27 As a believer, you are not left to your own resources to cope with problems. Even when you don't know the right words to pray, the Holy Spirit prays with and for you, and God answers. With God helping you pray, you don't need to be afraid to come before him. Ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for you "in accordance with God's will." Then, when you bring your requests to God, trust that he will always do what is best.

8:28 God works in "all things" - not just isolated incidents - for our good. This does not mean that all that happens to us is good. Evil is prevalent in our fallen world, but God is able to turn every circumstance around for our long-range good. Note that God is NOT WORKING TO MAKE US HAPPY, BUT TO FULFILL HIS PURPOSE. Note also that this promise is not for everybody. It can only be claimed only by those who love God and are called according to his purpose. Those who are called are those the Holy Spirit convinces and enables to receive Christ. Such people have a new perspective, a new mind-set on life. They trust in God, not life's treasures; they look for their security in heaven, not on earth; they learn to accept, not resent, pain and persecution because God is with them.

8:29 God's ultimate goal for us is to make like Christ. As we become more and more like him, we discover our true selves, the person we were created to be. How can we be conformed to Christ's likeness? By reading and heeding the Word, by studying his life on earth through the gospels, be being filled with his Spirit, and by doing his work in the world.

8:29,30 People are to serve and honor God. God's love is eternal. His wisdom and power are supreme. He will guide you & protect you until you one day stand in his presence.

8:31-34 [for hui boon] Do you ever think that because you aren't good enough for God, he will not save you? Do you ever feel as if salvation is for everyone else but you? The these verses are especially for you. If God gave his Son for you, he isn't going to hold back the gift of salvation! If Christ gave His life for you, he isn't going to turn around and condemn you! He will not withhold anything you need to live for him.

8:34 Jseus is interceding for us in heaven. God has acquitted us and has removed our sin and guilt, so it is satan, not God, who accuses us. When he does, Jesus, the advocate for our defense, stands at God's right hand to present our case.

8:35,36 This passage reaffirms God's profound love for his people. No matter what happends to us, no matter where we are, we can never be lost to his love. Suffering should not drive us away from God, but help us to indentify with him further and allow his love to reach us and heal us.

8:35-39 It is impossible to be separated from Christ. His death for us is proof of his unconquerable love. Nothing can stop Christ's constant presence with us. God tells us how great his love is so that we will feel totally secure in him. If we believe in these overwhelming assurance, we will not be afraid.

8:38 Powers are uneen forces of evil in the universe, forces like satan and his fallen angels. In christ we are super-conquerors, and his love will protect us from any such forces.

[ Jude whispered ][ 9:49 AM ]

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