Romans 8- What Is Your Hope?

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For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance Romans 8:22-25

Many non-believers will ask the question “How can there be a God, when there is so much evil in the world”? What most of them don’t understand, by them acknowledging evil exists, they are acknowledging God exists. If God didn’t exist, then there would be no standard of good and evil, how do we define evil without God? If we are just random molecules that have evolved into humans with no purpose or future, what does it matter if there is evil in the world? But as the Apostle Paul reveals under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,” (Romans 1:20)

So the whole creation groans and labors until the return of Christ! You hear it everyday, people complaining about the status of the world, the difference is us Christians have hope because of Christ, while the rest of the world has no hope, just misery in the suffering of the fallen world. The Apostle Paul describes our current state like a woman in labor pains, Jesus actually described it this way also “A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.” (John 16:21)

The Apostle Paul goes on to describe it “we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body” What is the Apostle Paul referring to here? Paul is referencing the final resurrection, when we are raised and given our glorified bodies (2 Corinthians 5:2) There will be no more pain, suffering, or death (Revelation 21:4) For death has been defeated at the cross by Christ (1 Corinthians 15:54-57) Jesus has already overcome the world (John 16:33) So I will ask you, what gives you hope in this fallen world? 

“For we were saved in this hope” (v24) We have hope and victory in Jesus Christ, again I ask what is your hope? Without Christ there is no hope for you in this world, the world will continue to groan in its pain and suffering because of its sin, but Christ has given us victory. As the author of Hebrews states “Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

And this should be the motto of the Church “we eagerly await for it with perseverance” (v25) I have good news for you brothers and sisters, Jesus is coming back! Wait for it with perseverance and patience, don’t fall away to the miseries of this world, stay on the narrow path of life! Amen!

Romans 8- The New Exodus

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For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Romans 8:18-21

Another one of the great lies today in Christianity, is the prosperity gospel. This idea that if you give your life to Christ, you will be physically blessed with wealth, health, and happiness. This false teaching has blinded millions of people and has created millions of false converts, that have never truly repented or became Born Again. The reality is when you become a Christian, your life is going to get harder. You are sealed with the Holy Spirit, and become a target for the demons in this spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6) If you don’t believe me, you haven’t been a Christian long enough

Jesus said “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. “ (Matthew 16:24) Did you get that? If you want to be a disciple of Christ, you must carry your cross! This is why “Friends with the world are enemies of God” (James 4:4) If you think becoming a Christian will make you greater in this world, you have no understanding of the world or Christ, this same world killed the Son of God because Christ is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6)

The Apostle Paul teaches us “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed” Paul is warning us we will suffer in this present world, not be prosperous. Think about the life of the Apostle Paul, he was repeatedly beaten, imprisoned, impoverished, and eventually was beheaded for His faith in Christ. Does that sound like the prosperity gospel of today? Don’t be deceived brothers and sisters, as our Lord said “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36) We look forward to Gods Kingdom to come, right now the world is ruled by the evil one (1 John 5:19)

“For creation waits in eager expectation” (v19) What are we waiting for? The Return of our Lord (Matthew 24:36-44), the establishment of Gods Kingdom (Daniel 2:44), the resurrection of our glorified bodies (1 Corinthians 15:42-44) for Satan to be cast in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:10), we wait upon The Lord! (Isaiah 40:31) You might ask why? The next verse answers “For creation was subjected to futility or depravity” (v20) The whole world is under the curse of death because of our sin (Galatians 3:10) 

So where is the good news? There is hope in Christ because The Lord defeated sin and death on the cross! Next verse “Creation itself will also be delivered from the bondage of corruption/decay (death) into the glorious liberty of the children of God (v21) This is the New Exodus, we are delivered from the slavery of sin and death by our Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

Romans 8- Children of God

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Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Romans 8:12-17

Are you a Child of God? There is a false teaching that is popular today, stating everyone is a Child of God, don’t be deceived brethren, this is not the case. We are all made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) However we have become enemies of God because of our sin (Romans 5:10) We have been separated from God, because of our sin (Isaiah 59:2) and the only way we can be reconciled back to God is through Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20)

As the Apostle Paul says here, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “if you live after the flesh, you shall die” Unless you are Born Again (John 3:3) you are spiritually dead, you are not a Child of God but an enemy of God. This is why the Son of God became flesh (John 1:14) and died for your sins on the cross, to reconcile you back to our Father in Heaven. Teaching people they are children of God, while still dead in their sins, is a great heresy and it nullifies the cross of Christ!

“But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Jesus said unless you are Born Again, you will not see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3) Through Christ you will live, because Christ already died for you! Without the blood of Christ there is no hope for you, you are an enemy of God who is dead in your sins. But there is “Good News” and that is the gospel message, without understanding the bad news, you can’t understand the good news, that through Christ you can be saved! As Paul states here “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are Children of God”

The Apostle Paul never said everyone is a child of God, Paul said you must be led by the Holy Spirit, you must be washed by the blood of the lamb (Revelation 7:14) “but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” (v15) You are no longer enemies of God, but you have been adopted as Gods children, not only that we can call God Abba our Father. Think about how powerful this is, you were an enemy of God and now you can call God your Father. You are a Child of God through Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:26)

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, (v16) The Holy Spirit seals us (Ephesians 1:13) and testifies for us that we are Children of God , heirs with Christ (v17) Thank you Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen!

Romans 8- Spirit of God

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But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Romans 8:9-11

What is the difference between a true believer in Christ and a false convert. We see many stories of people “falling away from the faith” , so how does this happen? Well as the Apostle Paul says here “You are not in the flesh, but in The Spirit” So are you Born Again? (John 3:3) This is why Jesus said “Unless you are Born Again, you will not see the Kingdom of God”, this is why the Apostle Pauls said “Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 15:50) unless you are filled and regenerated by the Holy Spirit, you are not saved!

The Apostle Paul continues here “If anyone does not have The Spirit of Christ, he is not his” Notice how Paul uses the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Christ interchangeably, because God is Triune, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19) Paul will emphasize this more later in the text. But if the Holy Spirit is not in You, then you are not a Child of God! This is the difference between a true believer and a false convert.

Many people think they can be saved by religious practices or be saved by their own good works, however these things will not convert your soul. You need to be Born Again, you need to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5) You need to be made Alive in Christ and dead in sin (Ephesians 2) Until the Holy Spirit dwells in you, you are just a carnally minded beast, looking to satisfy the flesh and devour anything in your path. You need a spiritual rebirth, flesh and blood will not inherit the Kingdom of God

The Spirit is life because of righteousness, again the Apostle Paul uses Christ and The Spirit interchangeably, unless Christ is in You, there is no life in You. The body is dead because of sin, but the soul is made alive in Christ. This is why salvation is not possible without the Holy Spirit, the body is dead, unless the breath of God breathes upon the dry bones, you will not be raised up! Before Christ you were spiritually dead, without the Holy Spirit you are just dead in the valley (Ezekiel 37)

Now heres another amazing revelation by the Apostle Paul, who raised Jesus from the dead? Well we know the Father raised Christ from the dead (Acts 2:24), Jesus said “He raised himself from the dead” (John 2:19) and Paul reveals The Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11) The Triune God raised Christ from the dead, and the same Holy Spirit is living inside of You as a Born Again Christian, Amen!

Romans 8- Friend or Enemy of God

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That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:4-8

Do you live according to the flesh or do you live according to The Spirit of God? Many people claim to be Christians, but are you really living for Christ? Or do you live for this world and add Christ to your world? The Apostle James said “Whoever wants to be a friend of this world makes themselves a enemy of God” (James 4:4) Why? How is a friend of the world a enemy of God? Because the world is carnally minded, you are living for the flesh and not the Holy Spirit

So what is wrong with living for the flesh? The Apostle Paul tells us “For to be carnally minded is death” Living for the flesh lead to spiritual death of your soul. Consider Adam and Eve, they had immortality living in paradise, but they pursued the lust of the flesh, they disobeyed God , they ignored his warning, and it led to their physical death. As Paul say “But to be spiritually minded is life and peace” Why? Because when your living for the flesh, you are at war with God. 

To be led by the Holy Spirit is life and peace, are you looking for peace in your life? Look to the Prince of Peace, your soul is at war with God. As the Apostle Pau says “the peace of God which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) You can only obtain this peace with Christ, outside of Christ you will never find peace because you are at war with God. Your flesh wants to destroy your soul, your flesh doesn’t want to please God, its self seeking and self destructive!

They that are in the flesh cannot please God (v8) Sin is opposition of God, to continually live in sin, you can never expect to please God. The act of sin is declaring war against God, nothing of sin came from God, but from below , the devil who came to lie, steal, and destroy. If you want to please your Heavenly Father, be led by the Holy Spirit, be obedient to Christ, crucify the flesh and live for Jesus, Amen!