Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Romans 8, a summary

Recently, my family has been touched by the fear of death.  Since this trial began I have been constantly meditating on the truth that our life is hidden in His hands, and standing on John 11:4, as I believe it is the Lord's heart in this situation. 

This morning I was reading through Romans and was stirred by chapter 8.  In this time it has a new significance.  This is the product of the Spirit's movement on my heart this morning. 



Set your mind on the things of the Spirit. 

The mind that is set on the things of the flesh is plagued by fear.  This fear, in the mind of the flesh, is frantically grasping fruitlessly, as it has no power to affect life in place of death.  But we, who walk according to the Spirit, know peace even in the midst of death, because Jesus affected life in place of death when we could not. 

We have an intimate, experiential knowledge of this peace that comes by walking by the Spirit, because the Spirit resides within us.  And the Spirit of God gives life, even to our corruptible bodies, just as He raised Jesus from the dead. 

We are free from falling back into the fear of death, because He has adopted us as sons and daughters of God.  Since He has provided the revelation of His love in this way, we cry out, Abba! Daddy!  Whatever we may go through pales in comparison to this love that IS and is being revealed to us, that Father loves us.  Because of this, we can remain confident when our weakness becomes obvious.  Even when we don't know what to do or say, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf, "and know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." 

He knew you would choose Him before time began, and because of this, He predestined you to be made like Jesus. 

Since Father did not spare His only Son, we know He will give us everything that we need.  Who can rightfully accuse us?  Who or what can put a wedge between us and Him Who has been raised up to the thrown at the right hand of the Father, and has been given authority over everything and anything? 

Because of our connection to this Jesus we are more than conquerors.  This is because we are convinced that there is no possibility of us being separated from Father's love, this love that Jesus has shown us through Jesus Christ.