Rom. 8:26-39, Victory and Permanence in Christ
Lesson 12FOUNDATIONS OF THE FAITH
Class Notes for March 29, 2016
Rom. 8:26-39, Victory and Permanence in Christ
In Chapter 8 we have already seen that although the Law and sin have condemned all people, there is no condemnation for those whom God has justified and united with Christ by grace through faith. Having been justified and united with Jesus, all believers are given the Holy Spirit to dwell within them, to testify to their spirits that they are children of God, to comfort and teach, to guide and strengthen, and to walk with us in living obediently to please God. As a result, believers set their minds on the things of the Spirit, walk according to the Spirit, and know both spiritual and eternal life as well as peace with God and the peace of God.
Proof of our identity with Jesus is that we suffer because we are in Him and not of this world. That suffering, however, is "momentary light affliction" and not worthy to be compared to the glory that is to be revealed. Not only this, but God will redeem all of His creation at the second coming of Jesus. There will be a new heaven and a new earth, and Jesus will rule from the new Jerusalem. We have been saved in hope, the guaranteed expectation that God will fulfill all that He has promised. As we continue with Chapter 8, there is even more.
Rom. 8:26-27God hears our prayers.
Verse 26 begins with the phrase "in the same way" which refers to the "groanings" of the believer waiting for adoption and redemption, and the entire creation which waits to be set free from the slavery and corruption brought by sin and judgment. The Spirit helps our weaknesses in this same intensity. The intensity of the Spirit's role in our prayers is characterized as groanings too deep for words.
From 1 Cor. 2:10b we know that the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.
The only access to the Father is through the Son (John 14:6). However, we do not always know how to pray as we should, and the Holy Spirit intercedes to help us pray according to what pleases God (His will). Some of the reasons for our struggle for effective prayer are
We ask and do not receive because we ask with wrong motives.James 4:3
We do not keep His commandments to do what is pleasing in His sight.1 John 3:21-22
We do not know what pleases God in order to ask for the right things.1 John 5:14-15
We are not fervent or persistent in prayer. Luke 11:8-10, James 5:16b
We do not pray consistent with the name (character and teachings) of Jesus.John 14:13-14
No matter how we pray, God will not respond with anything less than
that which is good for us. Luke 11:11-13
Although we cannot define the Trinity, we can observe their relationship from Scripture. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are identical in essence, identifiable in person, ordered in authority, cooperative in function, and united in purpose. This is evident in our prayers: to the Father, by the Spirit, in the name of the Son. We are instructed concerning prayer to
Pray in the Spirit.Eph. 6:18
Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God.Phil. 4:6
Pray without ceasing.1 Thes. 5:17
In everything give thanks.1 Thes. 5:18
Rom. 8:28Our Greatest Comfort
While translations of this verse may differ somewhat, in Hebrew there is a definite sense of cause and effect. The outcome is not serendipity but dependent on the sovereignty and power of God. If God is not sovereign and powerful, He cannot make this guarantee. Having this perspective on whatever comes into our lives makes everything meaningful, purposeful, endurable, and even joyful (James 1:2). Note, however, that this promise is not for everyone but only for those who love God. There are other wonderful promises for those who love God. Jesus said that evidence of our love for Him is that we keep His commandments.
God keeps His covenant and lovingkindness to a thousandth generation
with those who love Him and keep His commandments. Deut. 7:9
God is great and awesome and preserves the covenant and lovingkindness
for those who love Him and keep His commandments.Neh. 1:5
The LORD keeps all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.Psa. 145:20
He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and
he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and
disclose Myself to him.John 14:21
For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and
the love which you have shown toward His name, . . . John 14:21
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved,
he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to
those who love Him.James 1:12
Did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of
the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?James 2:5
Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered
the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.1 Cor. 2:9
Rom. 8:29-30The Golden Chain of Salvation
Last week we looked at four different Christian belief systems which essentially address God's role and man's role in salvation. Many current denominations adhere to all or portions of each of these systems and support their positions by Scripture. A correct understanding would be one that would be most consistent with ALL Scripture, would not diminish God or elevate man, and would not put in jeopardy anything that God has ordained concerning His purposes and promises.
Some of the differences may come about because of man's insistence on being the "master of his own fate", ignorance of Scripture oran inadequate understanding of what God has revealed about Himself,
aprideful adherence to absolute free will, or an attempt to explain observed behavior. Motives are not always malevolent or evil, but often come from compassion for the lost, a desire for good behavior, a conviction that people can be persuaded to become Christian without any further action by God, or a desire to increase the number of people who identify with the church.
But these verses are clear: Salvation is due to the unilateral, sovereign actions of God alone. With the exception of sanctification which involves man's obedience as well as God's work, man is only the beneficiary of his salvation and does not participate in or contribute to his salvation. Let's look at how God acts to save those who are His.
For those whom He foreknew . . . In lesson 8 we learned what it means to know God and to be known by Him. It is more than information, it is a relational knowing, one in which we are united with Jesus and the Father and indwelled by the Holy Spirit. We were known by Him before the
foundation of the world.
He also predestined . . . Having known those who are His before the foundation of the world, He also
determined in advance what their destiny would be: adoption and eternal life
To become conformed to the image of His Son . . . This is our sanctification, being set apart to be
holy and blameless before God, made like Jesus and having His righteousness.
This is the part in which we participate by loving God, obeying His commandments,
worshiping, giving, serving, maturing in faith, . . .
So that He would be the firstborn among many brethren . . . This echoes our adoption into the family of God, joint heirs with Jesus.
These whom He predestined, He also called. . . This call to all who are saved is as Jesus called His disciples "Follow Me" and they did. Mark 1:17-18 This is an effectual call, a holy calling according to His own purpose and grace granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity. 1 Tim. 1:9
These whom He called, He also justified . . . We have already seen how God justifies, declares righteous, all who are His. The benefits of that justification were given by Paul in Romans 5.
These whom He justified, He also glorified . . . The culmination of God's sovereign act of salvation is glorification. Saved completely: spirit, soul and body. At Jesus' return, He will be glorified in His saints, all who are His. This includes resurrection of the body to live and reign with Him forever.
Rom. 8:31-34Opposition
If God is for us, who can be against us? In these verses Paul addresses opposition to the teaching that God is sovereign in salvation. His answer is clear: It is God who is for us. How could anyone accuse us in this matter? We can neither boast nor have any guilt as recipients of God's grace.
Salvation is not our doing, but it was God who did not spare His Son, but provided through Jesus the means of our salvation. Considering the enormous cost already paid, how could salvation cost anything more? If anyone is to be accused in this matter, it is God and not those who are saved.
Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies. No one can condemn Him, Nor can anyone condemn us, for four reasons: 1. Jesus' death, 2. His resurrection, 3. His exalted position, and 4. His continual intercession for us.
Very early in church history there was opposition to the absolute sovereignty of God in salvation. In the early 5th century Pelagius wrote a commentary on Paul's epistles and concluded that with some help from God man could better himself, man had free will and could choose all things for himself, Adam's fall affected only himself as man is born neutral and not under condemnation, and that theoretically man did have the ability to live sinlessly. Many variations on these themes have come after Pelagius, even that God saves everyone (universalism). These ideas were vigorously condemned as heresy by church councils. In response to Pelagius in particular and others in general, Augustine wrote his Confessions which has been read by millions and adhered to by countless theologians. Reformers of the 16th century turned to Augustine as foundational theology for a movement to reform the church. Later, similar heresies were addressed by the church in the Synod of Dort in 1618 which responded to the five points of Arminianism with the five points of Calvinism identified by its acrostic, TULIP.
Rom. 8:35-39No Separation!Certain Victory!
v. 35-37 Jesus' love for us, not our love for Him, is demonstrated in our salvation, Our unity with Jesus is not just theory, but it is evident through the experiences of Christians. The persecution and sacrifices of Christians is obvious. These include, but are not limited to:
tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, sword
These are the kinds of adversity common to all people, oppressed by circumstances, and subject to the cruel acts of others. As Christians, we suffer all things that are common to mankind. 1 Cor. 10:13
Yet, there are sufferings which are ours because we are in Christ. This, too, is part of God's sovereign will. It was prophesied long ago, and has been evident throughout the history of God's people. Our suffering is for God's sake, His glory, His purposes--and all things for our good! It is His love which gives us overwhelming victory.
We are victorious because Jesus has won the victory.
But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.1 Cor. 15:57
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us
diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.2 Cor. 2:14
I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. 1 John 2:13
He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose
the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.1 John 3:8
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you
is greater than he who is in the world.1 John 4:4
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has
overcome the world - our faith.1 John 5:4
We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God
keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.1 John 5:18
v. 38-39 Paul continues about the permanence of our unity with Christ established by His love and
the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. He includes
death nor lifethe end of this life nor the trials in it
angels nor principalitiesdemons nor persons in positions of power
things present nor the futurethis promise is now and forever
height nor depththis phrase refers to the path of stars in the heavens,
to describe all space
any other created thingwhich includes everything since all things were created.
guaranteed by the Creator Himself!
This is the love of God in Jesus which was promised by Him in John 14:23 and which Jesus confirmed in His high priestly prayer, John 17:23, 25-26:
I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity,
so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them,
even as You have loved Me.
O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You;
and these have known that You sent Me; and I have made Your name known to them,
and will make it known, so that the love with which you loved Me may be in them,
and I in them.
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