I long have considered Romans 8 to be one of the most encouraging chapters in the Bible. It begins and ends with incredibly good news, and in between, some of the implications of this good news are explained.
The chapter begins with the word “therefore,” which calls our attention back to the preceding chapters. That “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” is a direct result of having died with Christ through faith and thus having been drawn into God’s kingdom where the law and power of the Holy Spirit is at work.
Often as we begin our faith journey of following Jesus, Satan will tempt us and distract us by calling to our minds all our past sins and mistakes. When Satan wants to beat you up with memories of past sins, remember Romans 8:1. When the Bible says “no condemnation,” it means precisely that. God does not condemn you. Don’t condemn yourself. That’s part of what it means to receive God’s grace.
With this grace of forgiveness comes the grace of new identity. No longer do we belong to any kingdom in the world, nor do we answer to the values of our sinful natures. Now, the very presence of God in the person of the Holy Spirit is available to us, helping us know the divine will, equipping us for the divine work and empowering us for God’s glory. We belong to God. The Apostle Paul tells us plainly what that means: “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature, but by the Spirit” (v. 9).
I believe that when we think about God's gift to us in Christ Jesus, often times, we think too small. We limit the work of God to the work of forgiveness. But forgiveness is only one part of God’s gift to us. It is a necessary first step, but it is a first step toward something even greater.
God forgives us and then sets his Spirit within us. How amazing is this? We do not have to wait for heaven to taste God’s greatness and presence. We do not have to travel to some sacred space hoping we can encounter the presence of God there. Instead, God freely gives his Spirit to those who respond in faith to the grace he has offered through Jesus.
Are you unintentionally limiting the gift of God’s grace to you? Do you think all God desires is that you be saved? Then let the message of Romans 8 find a place in your heart that you might understand the amazing depth of God’s grace to you.
As we all grow in our understanding of God’s grace gift to us, we should recognize that with this gift comes an “obligation” (v. 12). The forgiveness of sin, the new identity as a child of God and citizen of God’s kingdom, the purposes of God and the presence of God all obligate us to live according to our new identity and new values.
It is not unlike a promotion at work. The boss gives us a promotion, not simply so we can enjoy the perks of a better office and a bigger paycheck, but so we can handle the responsibility that comes with that new position. Unlike our earthly boss, our Heavenly King ensures we can handle our new responsibilities by giving us more of himself. His Spirit will lead us. His Spirit will gift us. His Spirit will equip us. His Spirit will empower us.
Remember, this is “the Spirit of him who raised raised Jesus from the dead” (v. 11). If we suffer, the Spirit will redeem those sufferings so they work for our good and God’s glory (v. 28). If we are frustrated, the Spirit will redeem our frustrations (v. 20). If we struggle with weakness in the face of strong temptation and opposition, the Spirit will help us (v. 26). Should we die, the Spirit shall raise us up (vv. 13, 22). In other words, we have been so well equipped for the work of God not even death can stop God’s plan in us.
With this kind of backing, what is hindering you from fulfilling God’s will for your life? Is it that you are seeking God’s blessings for your own will and have not yet surrendered your entire self to Jesus as Lord? Is it that you are listening to the lies of the adversary who wants to condemn you and tear you down? Is it that you have taken counsel of your fears and do not really believe God is able to redeem the circumstances of your life?
In the face of such questions, verses 31 to 39 make their mark upon us. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Paul asks (v. 31). No one can bring charges against those God has justified (v. 33). No one can condemn those for whom the risen Jesus is making intercession (v. 34). In fact, the more we think about it, the more we must become “convinced” (v. 38) nothing “in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (v. 39).
Does your life reflect such conviction? Let us pray each of us will prove the sufficiency of God’s Spirit through our faithful surrender to the Spirit’s leading.