#1635 Romans 8 Part 3 Longing For Glory

 

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the anxious longing of the creation eagerly waits 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 also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24 For in hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we eagerly wait for it.  Romans 8: 18-25 LSB

Romans 8: 18-25 Glory and Anxious Longing

Well, I look over at you as a crowd tonight, and I really, honestly, by looking at you, can't tell which of you are the sons of God. Some of you I know are because I know you, but just looking at you, I can't tell and neither can anybody else. In fact, it's so difficult to tell, that we can't sort the wheat from the tares can we, and Jesus said don't try to do that.

You see, the glorious manifestation of the sons of God has not yet occurred. And the reason we can't tell is because you haven't received your glorified what? Body. And you have a body that looks, basically, like everybody else's. There's no real way to tell at this point because the glorious manifestation of the children of God has not happened. We are still subject to futility. We are, in fact, suffering in this present time and have not yet entered, according to Verse 18, "into the glory that is to be revealed in us." So it...it is not yet manifest what we are. I think about that so often, you know. We just go bouncing through life like everybody else, going down the freeway, driving to work, going to the store and shopping and purchasing things. We wander around wherever we are, at school or work or in the neighborhood, and they have no clue who we are.

They don't know that, in the truest and spiritual sense, we are extraterrestrials. We are citizens of heaven, aren't we? We do not belong in this world, but it is not yet manifest what we shall be. That's what he's saying. It is not yet manifest what we shall be. But when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Right? 1 John 3. And the world doesn't know. The time comes in God’s redemptive plan when He reveals who we are, and we are transformed by the rapture and the resurrection, and then we come back to this world with Christ, according to Revelation, in full blazing glory, and we reign with Him on the earth for 1,000 years, right?

That's what Scripture promises: That we're taken to glory and we return with Christ, pictured in Revelation 19 so magnificently there. We come back. Colossians 3 says the same thing, "We're going to reign with Him in glory." We come back in full blazing glory, coming out of heaven in blazing, glorious white. We come back to earth, and here we are fully manifest. So it is our return with Christ in full glory that is the time in which He establishes His millennial kingdom, and so the connection is made here very clearly.

The whole creation is waiting eagerly for the unveiling of the sons of God because that's the time when the curse will be removed. Inanimate and animate creatures are seen as if they were standing on their tiptoes, straining to catch a glimpse of the unveiling of the sons of God in their full glory because they know what that means. That means that the curse is removed, and the earth is restored to Edenic wonder and that all that we have hoped for and longed for has come to pass.

“Those who are wise,” speaking of believers in Daniel 12:3, just to get a little idea of what you're going to be like. “Those who are wise,” wise in terms of salvation, “will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven.” Wow. So when we come back, it's not going to be us as usual. We're going to shine brightly like the expanse of heaven. We're going to radiate the glory of God, and it is at that time when the saints come back to radiate that glory that the whole creation is wonderfully transformed, and there will be a renovated earth during the millennial kingdom and then there will be, at the end of the millennial kingdom, that renovated earth, just so you know, will be uncreated, and God will create the final state, which is a new heaven and a new earth, in which there will be no sin.

In the millennial, restored earth, there still will be unbelievers, as we know during the millennial kingdom and even a time for Satan to lead them in a great rebellion, as the book of Revelation points out. But nonetheless, that millennial kingdom will feature a restored earth. And the prophets are very clear about many of the features: the lion will lie down with the lamb, the desert will blossom like a rose, a valley will be cut right in the center of Jerusalem, and out of it, a great gushing river will feed water into the desert to make it blossom, all kinds of things. Natural enemies will become friends. If a person dies at the age of 100, they would die like a child. Life will be prolonged. The glory of the Lord will fill the earth. Truth will fill the earth. Peace will fill the earth. Wisdom will fill the earth. Righteousness will prevail. Christ will reign and rule, we along with Him. All of those features are delineated in the Scripture as part of that glorious kingdom.

Now, as we think about this creation groaning, there are four factors that I want to point out to you in the text, just four features that help us understand it, starting in Verse 20. "For the creation..." And they explain the thesis of Verse 19: "For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it."

The first point I want you to understand is the creation was subjected to futility or vanity. In other words, the whole of creation, as we know it right now, is subjected to mataiotēs, aimlessness, unfulfillment, futility, frustration. What does that mean? Well, the whole creation has no ability to reach the goal of its intended design. It cannot achieve what it was intended for. It is not able to fulfill its purpose. It can't be what God intended it to be. You say, well what did God intend it to be? Very simple; all of creation was made by God in six days to demonstrate and fully reflect His what? His glory. And it was able to do that, initially, and God looked at everything that He had made and said it's what? Everything was what? Good, everything. It was a pure and complete and fulfilled vehicle to manifest God’s glory, but it was, according to Verse 20, "subjected to futility." - J Mac from Creation Longs For Glory sermon archives

V. 18 The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that is to be revealed to us - Not only the suffering, but also the delights. It is easy to get caught up in the struggle, so much so that even those who are not struggling will invent one. Jesus told us that there would be persecution, and so we should expect that. I think in the west, and places like Japan and Korea, where there has been much success, the freedom to improve one's situation, we see a self inflicted sort of persecution, where people have a home, car, cell phones, food, but someone else has more than them, so they see themselves as suffering. In my country you can be deemed a persecutor just by being hypomelanistic and telling people the truth. It's still a better situation here than it is for 80% of the world, but even if it does reach the point of prison and the cross, Paul finds it trivial in comparison to coming glory. What is the finite really when you have gained a glimpse of eternity? 

…11Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you. 13You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.… Matthew 5: 11-13

22By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his bones. 23By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after his birth, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were unafraid of the king’s edict. 24By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.…

…25He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin. 26 He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward. 27By faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.… Hebrews 11: 22-27

V. 19 Waits for the revealing of the sons of God - The fall of humanity brought down all of that which was placed under his feet as well. Those who promote an old earth in their "Christianity" struggle at this very point, for death and all else destructive entered the world through sin; before sin there were no natural catastrophes, so no millions and billions of years of death as they claim. We and creation were designed to reflect the glory of God, so much was man to do this, that he is said to be made in the image of God. The image is so marred now, not just in it's body, but also perverted at it's very core, our thoughts and ideas about God, about nature, and even about love. 

17For behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. 18But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for I will create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight.… Isaiah 65: 17-18

15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as if through the flames. 16 Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.… 1 Corinthians 3: 15-17

…17“They will be Mine,” says the LORD of Hosts, “on the day when I prepare My treasured possession. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him. 18So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.” Malachi 3: 17-18

1Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. 2Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. 3And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as Christ is pure.… 1 John 3: 1-3

Vs. 20-21 In hope - God did not leave it as is, or you wouldn't be reading this right now. It is part of His divine decree, His sovereignty, that He made man in His image, made him a moral being, and gave man a choice. With that choice came the idea of a consequence, don't do this, or this will happen. So when man did what God said not to do, then it all should have ended there, but part of His glorious nature is that He is a redeemer, which Romans 8 will break down even more. Before time and space He predestined His redeemed. The Father called them, the Son paid for them, for the wages of sin was death and Christ became the substitute, the Just for the unjust, and the Holy Spirit gave regenerated them to repentance and salvation. The Spirit's work continues in our present sanctification as well. So God has never reacted to anything, and the creation waits in hope.

Isaiah also alludes to this futility recording that…

The earth is also polluted by its inhabitants, for they transgressed laws, violated statutes, broke the everlasting covenant. 6 Therefore, a curse devours the earth, and those who live in it are held guilty. Therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left. (Isa 24:5, 6)

Note the verb is aorist tense (effectual action, past completed action, describes a definite historical event in the past) and passive voice (subjection of the subject, creation, from without, from an outside force, i.e., God). Thus we see that the creation did not subject itself. But you still might ask why punish the plants and animals, etc? After all they did not commit the sin. Irregardless, Sin is still the answer. Adam had no idea how devastating and far reaching would be the consequences of his sin (application - do we think about the effect of our sin on others before we commit it? Obviously it is not the same as Adam's sin, but sin nevertheless always effects others! Next time think before you jump!) When Adam disobeyed God Paul described what happened…

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned-- (Ro 5:12-note)

Sin entered the world and spread to all men and the effects of death spread to all creation because of Sin's entrance into the creation. In some way that I don't totally comprehend not only did the whole race fall into the bondage of sin and death, but the entire physical universe fell as well. Next time you see a beautiful rose, remember that it was Adam's sin that put the thorns on the rose. It was Adam's sin that made animals fear man and which brought predators and carnivores into being. - PA

Vs. 22-23 Even we ourselves groan - This grows as you grow and mature in the faith. You can see the circular reasoning of those around you, the incessant whining about things that are growing dim to you. You long for Christ's return, and those gone long for there new bodies. These are just full of infirmity, but it is a temple desecrated, unclean things have happened here. We want a world without sin, to enter into the fulness of our adoption.

…2For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4So while we are in this tent, we groan under our burdens, because we do not wish to be unclothed but clothed, so that our mortality may be swallowed up by life.… 2 Corinthians 5: 2-4

Vs. 24-25 But hope that is seen is not hope - The Bible tells us that Faith is the substance of things hoped for, also that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God, and again that faith is a gift from God. I didn't know all that I know now when I first came to believe, but God showed me enough to cause me to hope, and He regenerated my Spirit so that I could believe. Over the years it has become only deeper, this conviction about God and the Bible being the Word of God. I can see that when He said things of old that they came to pass just like He said it would, and this also helps my anxiety with present situations, because I know that in order to declare things like the coming of His Son, He had to send Him and be in control of history. It would not happen upon chance, God would have to act. I can't now see my glorified form, but I look forward to it with longing.

…18Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged. 19We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.… Hebrews 6: 18-20

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#1634 Romans 8 part 2 I'm Adopted

 

12 So then, brothers, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die, but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the practices of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons by whom we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, also heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. Romans 8: 12-17 LSB

Romans 8: 12-17

V. 12 We are under obligation, not to the flesh - If you have been truly born again, born of the Spirit, then the "so then" takes us back to the end of the last section. 10 But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 But 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. 

The Holy Spirit will work in your mortal bodies, so that even though you are still tempted by the flesh, yet you will be more and more conformed to the image of Christ. While once you were a slave to sin then you were also under obligation to it's vices. 

John MacArthur observes that in "Romans 8:12–13, the verses where Paul introduces the idea of mortifying sin, signal a major turning point in the logical thread that runs through this chapter. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said,"It is here for the first time, in this chapter, that we come to the realm of practical application. All we have had up to this point has been a general description of the Christian—his character, his position. But now the Apostle has really come explicitly to the doctrine of sanctification. Here we are told exactly how, in practice, the Christian becomes sanctified. Or, to state it differently, here we are told in detail and in practice how the Christian is to wage the battle against sin." (Listen to Lloyd-Jones' sermons on Romans 8) Paul does not promise immediate freedom from sin’s harassment. He does not describe a crisis-moment sanctification, where the believer is immediately made perfect. He does not tell the Romans to “let go and let God” take over while they sit idle. He does not suggest that a turning-point “decision” will solve the matter once and for all. On the contrary, he speaks of a continuous struggle with sin, where we are persistently, perpetually “putting to death the deeds of the body.” The language is often misunderstood. Paul is not calling for a life of self-flagellation. He is not saying believers should starve themselves, literally torture their bodies, or deprive themselves of life’s basic needs. He is not telling them to mutilate themselves or live monastic lives or anything of the sort. The mortification Paul speaks of has nothing to do with external self-punishment. It is a spiritual process accomplished “by the Spirit.” Paul is describing a way of life where we seek to throttle sin and crush it from our lives, sapping it of its strength, rooting it out, and depriving it of its influence. That is what it means to mortify sin." (Borrow Vanishing Conscience or here) - PA

V. 13 But if by the Spirit - This is key because we already know from Paul's teaching that our ideas and abilities regarding righteousness are not acceptable. They are like the strange fire of Nadab and Abihu. We were dead in sin, and only made alive by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit. There is much misunderstanding regarding the third member of the Trinity today, but His major role according to Scripture is bringing dead people to life, or slaves out of slavery, applying the atoning work of Christ to those who were once dead in their trespasses and sins. From there He takes the Word of God and gives us a thirst for it, guides us in understanding it, and then through His power He conforms us more and more to the image of Christ. He takes the Word of God and uses it to define sin and convict us of it. There were so many things in my life that I did not see as sin, even reading God's word I still rejected some things being called sin, or affirmed them as sin, but played them down. Through study of God's word and prayer, the Holy Spirit changed me regarding these things. 

…25All this I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you. 27Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.… John 14: 25-27

…6Instead, your hearts are filled with sorrow because I have told you these things. 7But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:… 

…9in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; 11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world has been condemned.… John 16: 6-11

…17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord,… Ephesians 5: 17-19

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you do not do the things that you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become those with vain glory, challenging one another, envying one another. Galatians 5: 16-26

Vs. 14-15 For as many as are being led by the Spirit of God - Everyone is a slave, either to sin and death, or to Christ, Who has purchased you unto life. But through the work of the Spirit we become sons by adoption into the royal family. It is like the parable of the prodigal son. We are made in the image of God, but that image has been shattered, become unrecognizable when held up to the mirror of Christ. We are still borns spiritually, and God is a Spirit, so the void to having in relationship with Him has become insurmountable, even inconceivable. God has graciously put His word into this world, but alas, it is light and we are darkness, so like the prodigal we leave to make our own way. The Father calls some though, all who He knew before time, and they, like the prodigal, start to realize, "I would be better off as a slave in my Father's house." But God, apart from any works or merit of our own, welcomes us as sons and daughters, and the Spirit causes us to be sanctified, to look and act like children of the living God. Where once we could only approach with fear at the realization of a Holy God, now we cry Father, Daddy, it is immeasurable grace.

18When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sounding of the ram’s horn, and the mountain enveloped in smoke, they trembled and stood at a distance. 19“Speak to us yourself and we will listen,” they said to Moses. “But do not let God speak to us, or we will die.” 20“Do not be afraid,” Moses replied. “For God has come to test you, so that the fear of Him may be before you, to keep you from sinning.”… Exodus 20: 18-20

…11For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.… 1 Corinthians 2: 11-13

6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. 8So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner. Instead, join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.… 2 Timothy 1: 6-8

18For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken. 20For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.”…

…21The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” 22Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels 23in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,…

…24to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 25See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if the people did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns us from heaven? 26At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth, but heaven as well.”… Hebrews 12: 18-26

Spurgeon - We did receive the spirit of bondage once. We felt that we were under the law, and that the law cursed us. We felt its rigorous taxation, and that we could not meet it. Now that spirit has gone, and we have the spirit of freedom, the spirit of children, the spirit of adoption. I suppose that the apostle, when he thus spake and said “ye,” felt so much of the spirit of adoption in his own bosom that he could not talk of it as belonging to others alone. He was obliged to include it thus, and so he puts it, “Ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” He wanted to intimate that he himself also was a partaker of this blessed spirit. And woe to the preacher who can preach an adoption which he never enjoyed. Woe to any of us if we can teach to others concerning the spirit of sonship, but never feel it crying in our own souls. “Abba, Father.” - PA

Vs. 16-17 Fellow heirs with Christ - What a turn around, lost to found, dead to alive, enemies to family, paupers to heirs. I ask you, I ask myself, what could there possibly be in all this world, in this life or even if you were granted a thousand lives, what could compare?

…4have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? 6But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?… James 2: 4-6

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.… 1 Peter 1: 3-5

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#1633 Romans 8 Part 1 The Principles

 

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the righteous requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is at enmity toward God, for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh are not able to please God.

9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 But 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. Romans 8: 1-11 LSB

Romans 8: 1-17

There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus - This goes along well with Paul's overarching argument of Justification by faith alone. I have known many who believe that you can lose your salvation, including people from the Alliance denomination, but that is inconsistent with the gospel, and once again it is a turning back to works, to the Roman apostasy. To be in Christ Jesus means to be born again, it means that His work was sufficient, His death fulfilled all justice. Paul has already addressed antinomianism, the other error, but neither is so humble as it supposes. It is arrogant to continue in what you know to be sin, unrepentant, claiming that, "it's okay, it's covered by the blood of Christ." That makes my stomach curdle, but it is also arrogant to believe that you are saved because you made a decision, you walked forward, got sprinkled with water, or that you are somehow holding on to your salvation, and that if you sinned today, even unknowingly, that if you forgot to repent before you went to sleep, and died in your sleep, then all is lost. In this case you are still trusting in a work that you are not calling a work, that because you didn't say that prayer before bed, that phrase that pays, then now you are on your way to hell. You know God looks at the heart, so I always like to ask people like that, "what if you sin in a dream while you are sleeping?" Work that one out. There are two parallel truths being taught in the gospel and expanded upon in the epistles, and that is you are saved by grace through faith, not of works, and that if you are born again you are a new creature, having a new nature that wants to please God. In other words, if you are saved there will be a change, a tree is known by it's fruit. And in all of this we have only God to thank. 

Dr Harry Ironside has an interesting thought on the variation in translations remarking that "Careful students of the original text discover that the last part of Romans 8:1 in the King James version is an interpolation properly belonging to verse 4 [Romans 8:4]. The magnificent statement that opens Romans 8 - "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" - requires no qualifying clause. Our justification does not depend on our walk. Freedom from condemnation is given to all who are in Christ, and to be in Him means to be of the new creation. A glance at the Revised version or any critical translation will show that what I am pointing out is sustained by all the editors. It was man's innate aversion to sovereign grace, I am certain, that brought these qualifying words into the text of the King James version. It seemed too much to believe that freedom from condemnation depended solely on being in Christ Jesus and not on our walking after the Spirit. So it was easy to lift the words from verse 4 [Romans 8:4-note ] into verse 1 [Romans 8:1 ]. But in verse 4 [Romans 8:4 ] they have their proper place for there Paul was writing of the state of the believer. In verse 1 [Romans 8:1 ] it is the question of standing that is under consideration. (Romans 8).

The Christian’s war with sin does not end until he goes to be with the Lord. Nevertheless, there is still no condemnation-because the penalty for all the failures of this life (and who of us does not have many, yea, even many every day!) has been paid in full at Calvary. The holiest of believers are warned that, although they are no longer slaves to sin’s dominion, they will continually experience conflict with this old nature in this present life (cf Gal 5:17+, 1Pe 2:11+ where "wage war" is present tense). The weakest of believers are promised that, although they still stumble and fall into sin’s power in their flesh, they will experience ultimate victory over sin in the life to come. - Precept Austin

…18Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.… John 3: 18-20

Vs. 2-4 Set you free from the law of sin and death - The law of the Spirit is better understood not as the Mosaic law, but like universal laws, such as gravity. It is the same with the fallen flesh and it's desires. Your old nature is constantly seeking attention, looking to be scratched behind the ears and affirmed, and for a time, before you were indwelt by the Spirit, you were bound by the flesh. This is why there are so many self help books and life coach gurus out there. You can fight the flesh in the flesh, by realizing that your over eating, smoking, or alcohol consumption may not be quite the good investment you once thought it was, and I know many people in false religions that follow a code like this, or a twelve step program, but it becomes solely pragmatic. If it feels good and I can avoid any physical, financial or emotional consequences then they reason that it is within their liberty. I used to feel this way and reason that others needed a God crutch, and chose not to do some things because they were religious, and I thought I wasn't. Being indwelt by the Spirit is much different. He is what guided Paul's hands in writing these letters, and it is in the Holy Scriptures that we find the words of faith, that which the Spirit uses to quicken us from the dead and cause us to walk in newness of life. Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord. This is the operation of a new law within us, one that doesn't base things on how it made me feel or not feel, but upon the love of my Savior.

In summary, Paul explains why there is now "no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." In this next section (Ro 8:2, 3, 4) Paul draws a striking contrast between those who are in Adam and thus can walk only according to the flesh and those who are in Christ and now have a supernatural ability to walk according to the Spirit. We were bound by (enslaved to) sin and death just as we're bound by the law of gravity. It was holding us earthbound or, more accurately, flesh-bound. However, the law of gravity can be overcome by the proper application of certain natural laws, such as the principle of aerodynamics. Though aerodynamics doesn't negate gravity, it can overcome its force. Similarly as we learn to submit to and depend upon the indwelling Spirit, we can overcome the continual pull of our fallen flesh (it's "gravity" if you will) which seeks to make us commit sin. This classic confrontation is described by Paul in Galatians 5:16-17. Notice that the way a believer overcomes the lust of the flesh is NOT by trying not to do what the fleshly desire is tempting us to do, but by walking continually by the Spirit. When we yield to the Spirit and allow His supernatural power to flow through our members, then (and only then) will we be able to refuse the desire of the flesh. The correct order is to say "Yes" to the Spirit and then you will be enabled to say "No" to the flesh. If you invert this order, you end up putting yourself in the subtle trap of legalism, saying "I won't do this or that, etc." That is a surefire setup for falling. Romans 8:13 is a corollary for there Paul says that we are putting to death the (sinful) deeds of the body by the Spirit. When we try to put the deeds of the body to death by using our flesh, we end up actually arousing our flesh (see Ro 7:5). - PA

…35A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37I know you are Abraham’s descendants, but you are trying to kill Me because My word has no place within you.… John 8: 35-37

…62Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before? 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. 64However, there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray Him.)… John 6: 62-64

V. 5 Set their mind on the things of the flesh - Again, this is a principle, the law couldn't save because the flesh could not keep it to God's standard, and worldlings are going to side with the flesh. These aren't just people outside of the visible church buildings either, remember, Judas walked among them. If we are ruled by fleshly inclinations, our lust for money, power, the sensual, then we will betray Christ and often it is found that we were never of Christ, never indwelt by the Spirit. He mourns within us for the things of God, and brings about a desire for the sort of holiness that is not based upon the perception of man, but the mirror of Holy Scripture, and the person of Jesus Christ. So recognizing that we are justified by faith in Jesus we can now see the difference between the sin of Judas and the sin of Peter. One looked forward to a kingdom, but of his own imagination, fulfilling the desires of his flesh, and that became preeminent. I see this in the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements of today. They appeal to the flesh, to worldly prosperity. But then we see Peter, and it was about as ugly as it gets. He bragged in his own ability to stick with Christ, but when the time of testing came, he denied His Lord and Savior three times. The difference, he repented of trusting in his own works, and the flesh still pulled at him, but he became a man who could take correction, a man who desired to please God more than his own appetite or ego. 

…47The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. 48As was the earthly man, so also are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. 49And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly man.… 1 Corinthians 15: 47-49

…2I beg you that when I come I may not need to be as bold as I expect toward those who presume that we live according to the flesh. 3For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. 4The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.… 2 Corinthians 10: 2-4

9if all this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. 10Such punishment is specially reserved for those who indulge the corrupt desires of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and self-willed, they are unafraid to slander glorious beings. 11Yet not even angels, though greater in strength and power, dare to bring such slanderous charges against them before the Lord.… 2 Peter 2: 9-11

Vs. 6-8 Those who are in the flesh are not able to please God - The Father is and will only ever be pleased with the works of the Son, and it is the Spirit that applies these to us and causes us to walk in them. There is a President today that has alluded to God being pleased with him because of his work in the Middle East. The Bible does say, "blessed are the peace makers for they will be called sons of God", but in the same Bible it also states that you must be born again. It is a huge sin of presumption to think that God owes us for doing what we should already be doing anyway. Many will sign peace treaties in this world, agreements that won't last, powered by ambition and self righteousness. The peace that needs to be made is that between fallen man and God. 

…8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.… Matthew 5: 8-10

…2He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs You are doing if God were not with him.” 3Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” 4“How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?”…

…5Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit. 7Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’… John 3: 2-7

…26He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus. 27Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of works? No, but on that of faith. 28For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.… Romans 3: 26-28

…21The troops took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of the things devoted to destruction, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal.” 22But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. 23For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”… 1 Samuel 15: 21-23

Vs. 9-11 Will also give life to your mortal bodies - The Spirit is life, and this is indwelling in the believer, and to be sure it changes this temple. Seeing the war that ensues gives assurance of the final deliverance from this corpse of death. 

Raised (awakened) (1453)(egeiro) means to rise (stand up) from a sitting or lying position (Mt 8:26, 9:5), to awaken from sleep (Mt 8:25), figuratively to "awaken" from death (rise up), describing the bringing back of Jesus from the dead.

Give life (2227) (zoopoieo from zoós = alive + poieo = to make) means to revitalize, make alive, quicken, vivify.

John uses zoopoieo in a similar way as Paul writing...

"For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. (John 5:21)

"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. (John 6:63)

Why did Paul use "give life to" instead of "raise" when describing men's bodies? Godet comments that...

Once again we see how carefully Paul weighs every term he uses. We have a new proof of the same in the use of the two expressions (egeirantos), to awake (raised) (applied to Jesus), and (zoopoiesei), to quicken (to give life) (applied to believers). The death of Jesus was a sleep, unaccompanied with any dissolution of the body...; it was therefore enough to awake Him. In our case, the body, being given over to destruction, must be entirely reconstituted; this is well expressed by the word quicken ("give life"). (Romans Commentary Online)

Vine writes that "The reference is not to the impartation of some special energy of life and power to our bodies in their present state, but to the effect upon them of the shout of the Lord at the time of the Rapture (1Thes. 4:17; see note Philippians 3:20, 3:21; 1Cor 15:52, 53). What is mortal will then be “swallowed up of life.” The statement in this eleventh verse is to be put in connection with that at the close of the seventh chapter, where the assurance is given that Christ will deliver us “out of the body of this death” (see note Romans 7:24) (Vine, W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson )

S Lewis Johnson observes that...

this verse is the final answer to the cry of Ro 7:24 (note). The power of indwelling sin and physical death over the believer's body is destroyed in the bodily resurrection. The logic of the apostle is clear. The presence of the Spirit of God in our mortal bodies is the guarantee of the bodily resurrection, for He is the one who raised up Jesus Christ.

Now one must be clear here. When Paul says, "the one who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead," he is referring, not to the Holy Spirit, but to the Father. It is not, "the Spirit who raised up Jesus from the dead," but, "the Spirit of the One Who raised up Jesus from the dead," that is, the Father God. It is the Father Who raised up the Son, and that is the universal testimony of the Bible. The reason for that is that it is important to make plain that the sacrifice of the Son is acceptable to the Father. Therefore, the almost universal testimony of the New Testament is that the Father raised the Son (cf. Acts 2:24, 32; 3:15, 26; 4:10; 5:30; 26:8; 1 Cor. 6:14; 2 Cor. 4:14). Thus, regeneration and the indwelling of the Spirit of the God of the resurrection naturally involve the resurrection of the believer's body. All are parts of the one process of redemption. If God has done the work of regeneration, He will accomplish the work in resurrection.

What a wonderful promise that is for the believer! Our spirits are already alive; our bodies soon shall be. (Romans 8:5-17) (Bolding added) - Precept Austin

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#1632 Romans 7 Part 2 Wretched

 

13 Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by working out my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.

14 For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, having been sold into bondage under sin. 15 For what I am working out, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. 16 But if I do the very thing I do not want, I agree with the Law, that it is good. 17 So now, no longer am I the one working it out, but sin which dwells in me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the working out of the good is not. 19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one working it out, but sin which dwells in me.

21 I find then the principle that in me evil is present—in me who wants to do good. 22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law in my members, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a captive to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from the body of this death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. Romans 7: 13-25 LSB

Romans 7: 13-25

V. 13 Did that which is good become a cause of death for me - The short and sweet is No. Death didn't come by way of the law, and the law is good, but death entered the world through sin. The law points out the cause, it exposes the evil. 

13When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. 14But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. 15Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.… James 1: 13-15

11Not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. 12Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned. 13For sin was in the world before the law was given; but sin is not taken into account when there is no law.… Romans 5: 11-13

V. 13c Sin would become utterly sinful - When you are born again you receive a new nature, but you still live in your old flesh, and so basically a war ensues, and I love the way Voddie used to describe it, there is now two dogs, and the one you train and feed the most is going to be the one that wins. Your new nature awakens a conscience that desires the things of God, but your old nature wants to snuff it out. It's anything but pretty. It is why in Ephesians 6 Paul describes it as warfare and tells us about putting on the whole armor of God. What do you feed on? The word of God, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, which also becomes your weapon, the Sword of the Spirit. The world and your flesh will pull you away from that, have you spend hours of mindlessness in front of the television, day dreaming, and they will laugh at you for praying, but these are the means God gives us. He also gives us brothers and sisters, pastors who preach the word and make it come alive to us. Your new nature wants to grow but it needs to be fed, and when it hears the word of God, hears what He calls sin, it will want to call it sin too. It will want to be set free from it, and we will come to realize that it is difficult to find forgiveness when we refuse to acknowledge it as sin in the first place. The more you read God's word, the more you will want to repent and pray for strength to stand. When he says, "sin would become utterly sinful", it's like turning on a light and realizing your standing in a septic tank. It's more than intellectual assent, reading off a list of sins and saying, "yeah, the Bible calls this sin", it goes much deeper than that, "my Lord and Savior Who died for me calls this sin, and so I hate it." A good sign of a new nature is that your own sin will bother you more than that of other people. 

…15From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.… 2 Timothy 3: 15-17

V. 14 The law is spiritual, but I am fleshly - Again, two natures trying to occupy the same place. Paul is in agreement with the law, he loves the law, but he still has to battle the flesh. You will more and more see the importance of Christ and His work as you grow. It is easy for us to become proud in religion, but the reality is that salvation is of the Lord. You didn't exercise a faith born of your own brilliance, many smart people die and go to hell. Many religious people go to hell trusting in their own works, but if you were saved it was of the Lord. This is beyond beautiful too, because if you worked for your salvation then how would you know when you reached it? If God gave it to you and then told you, "now don't mess up, don't drop it." That would be the same as saying, "you're damned". No one can save themselves by keeping the law because everyone is in constant violation of it, yet no one is ever saved that is not confronted by the law and caused to grieve over sin. You were once powerless in this, a slave, but now you are a warrior, you have the Spirit of God abiding in you, and it is not a desire to check off boxes, not a drive to earn that salvation which you couldn't, but an innate desire to please your new Master, Jesus Christ. 

11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience. 12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.… Hebrews 4: 11-13

…5You welcome those who gladly do right, who remember Your ways. Surely You were angry, for we sinned. How can we be saved if we remain in our sins? 6Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind. 7No one calls on Your name or strives to take hold of You. For You have hidden Your face from us and delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.… Isaiah 64: 5-7

…26Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air. 27No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9: 26-27

Vs. 15-20 I practice the very evil that I do not want - He has a renewed mind. He knew about evil before, but now the bar has been raised, the standard is Christ, and my actions fall short. Pride is still at the door, so even when I think I am doing good I find that I am sinning. It's breaking Paul's heart, and it is wonderful. The new nature is alive in him and it does not want sin, and it shines light upon the old nature. Paul identifies more with the new nature, nurtures it, and I don't believe for a moment that he is sinning more than he used to before his encounter with Christ, but being a new creature, developing from a baby Christian to an adolescent to a mature man of God, the closer he gets to Jesus the more appalling his sin becomes. He is wanting to go home. 

MacArthur writes

The apostle has already established that none of those things characterize the unsaved. The unbeliever not only hates God’s truth and righteousness but suppresses them, he willfully rejects the natural evidence of God, he neither honors nor gives thanks to God, and he is totally dominated by sin so that he arrogantly disobeys God’s law and encourages others to do so (Ro 1:32).

S Lewis Johnson comments that…

it is difficult to imagine an unsaved man diagnosing his case so perfectly, or affirming such things of an unsaved person. He has a clear view of himself (Ro 7:18, 24). He has a noble view of the Law (Ro 7:16, 19). In three ways he is a saint. He hates sin (Ro 7:15, 16; can this agree with Ro 3:7?). He delights in the Law of God (Ro 7:22). He looks for deliverance to Christ alone (Ro 7:25). John Stott comments, "Now let me repeat that anyone who acknowledges the spirituality of God's law and his own natural carnality is a Christian of some maturity." - PA

…18who have deviated from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some. 19Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.” 20A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use.… 2 Timothy 2: 18-20

…127Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, even the purest gold. 128Therefore I admire all Your precepts and hate every FALSE way. 129Wonderful are Your testimonies; therefore I obey them.… Psalm 119: 127-129

Vs. 21-22 In the inner man - Paul, at his core, wants to serve God in everything but in this life he is aware that there is a constant struggle, a war between good and evil. It's important not to become confused or dualistic here. The flesh, your body, skin, eyes, heart, all that, that returns to dust. It is a temporary temple. Some of the ascetics would call the flesh in that sense evil and would whip themselves, mutilate themselves, basically commit another kind of sin in order to deal with their sin. This is talking about two natures that are competing within the framework of this earthly temple. The old nature will die with this body though, and you will be given a new temple, unsoiled, undefiled. Your hand is not evil, but you can choose to do evil with it. 

…33“We are Abraham’s descendants,” they answered. “We have never been slaves to anyone. How can You say we will be set free?” 34 Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son belongs to it forever.… John 8: 33-35

Wuest explains that law (principle)…

… could refer to a law such as the constant rule of experience imposing itself on the will such as a modern scientific law, or the Mosaic law, or to the law of sin which Paul speaks of as in his members (Vincent). The last interpretation seems most in keeping with the times in which Paul is writing, and with the context. The law in his members warring against the law of his mind is, of course, the evil nature. Paul finds a condition that when he desires to do good, this evil nature always asserts itself against the doing of that good. He brings out the same truth in Gal 5:17 (note) where he says,

“The flesh (evil nature) has a passionate desire to suppress the Spirit, and the Spirit has a passionate desire to suppress the flesh. And these are set in opposition to each other so that you may not do the things which you desire to do.” (Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans)

In this verse Paul says that evil is the constant rule of experience imposing itself on the will. Paul found that evil is still present in an individual whenever he wants to do good.

Barnes has a good explanation of the law writing that…

There is a law whose operation I experience whenever I attempt to do good. There have been various opinions about the meaning of the word law in this place. It is evident that [it] is used here in a sense somewhat unusual. But it retains the notion which commonly attaches to it of that which binds, or controls. And though this to which he refers differs from a law, inasmuch as it is not imposed by a superior, which is the usual idea of a law, yet it has so far the sense of law that it binds, controls, influences, or is that to which he was subject. There can be no doubt that he refers here to his carnal and corrupt nature; to the evil propensities and dispositions which were leading him astray. His representing this as a law is in accordance with all that he says of it, that it is servitude, that he is in bondage to it, and that it impedes his efforts to be holy and pure. The meaning is this: "I find a habit, a propensity, an influence of corrupt passions and desires, which, when I would do right, impedes my progress, and prevents my accomplishing what I would." Comp. Gal 5:17-note. Every Christian is as much acquainted with this as was the apostle Paul. (Albert Barnes. Barnes NT Commentary) - PA

…16I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth…

…19of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, 21to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.… Ephesians 3: 16-21

Vs. 23-25 Wretched man that I am - This is when we know we have seen ourselves rightly. Too many today miss the true gospel, the beauty of God's holiness, substituting it for self help, self esteem and self worship. God owed you death, but somehow we feel entitled to not only live in the sin He hates, the thing that brings us death and sorrow, but we also believe that God should somehow commend us in this, allow it to not only continue, but to also enhance it. We don't come to hate sin on our own, only consequences. Paul is seeing beyond the consequences; he is hating his sin, and it is here that you can appreciate the otherliness of God, that yes, He is a God of love, of mercy, of forgiveness, but over each of His attributes hangs the crowning attribute of His holiness. He is holy, holy, holy. So many false teachers today forget to mention that God is also just, and that He is angry with the wicked all the time. They take away the beauty of the cross by making light of the very sins which demanded it. God is love, but He is also just, so in order to show us His love and to not violate His holiness, He paid the price of sin with the life and death of His only Son. 

…8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. 10And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.… 1 John 4: 8-10

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