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There are so many great promises and truths in Romans 8. Whenever you come across a passage like this in systematic study of scripture, it is like you are on a hike and the trail has led you to a magnificent vista at a clearing near the edge of the mountain and you are able to see the beautiful valleys and nearby mountains - you pause and soak it in. As I mentioned several blogs ago, I am really being challenged to live an abundant life that is evidenced by joy and peace. So, in that context, the following verses resonated with me this morning:
3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. 5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to DEATH. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to LIFE and peace.
9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. ... 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you LIFE because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give LIFE to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. 12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will DIE. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will LIFE.
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. 31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.") 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the encouraging vista in Scripture this morning. Lord, I pray that you will lead me to a more accurate understanding of your love, and that I will consequently seek you more diligently. Jesus, I thank you for your sacrificial death that gives me LIFE and PEACE. Holy Spirit, I pray that you will lead me to produce fruit that proves that you are working in my life, and that others would praise the Father because of it. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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