In this fourth review of the book of Romans, we go into an overview of Romans chapter 8 which we see as the Summary of Salvation. It shows with clarity that the work is completed, all who have trusted in the Lord as their Saviour are now secure in that hope and literally nothing can separate them “from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:39)
20220320 Romans Review Pt 4
Summary of Salvation V1-9
Romans 8:1–9
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 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. 6 For to be carnally minded isdeath; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind isenmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 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.
1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: says Paul in Hebrews 8:1
And it is certain that this is what we find before us beginning in this, this single most incredible portion of the entire Bible, Romans 8.
Beloved if this chapter of Romans does not lift your heart and your spirit, if this chapter does not give to you the joy of your salvation, the zeal to attend with all diligence the works of faith, the encouragement to get through your days, each and every day, I must admit to you I am unsure of what else will.
Paul grants to you and I the sum total of the salvation that has been secured to us through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. His summary in this chapter fits so perfectly the grace, the love, the power, the purpose, and the plan of Christ years without end, amen.
Paul opens the door to this chapter in the first verse; 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,
NONE, NO CONDEMNATION!
That very first phrase alone should give to you such a jolt, such a start, such a joy that it should lift you off your seats.
The entire summary of the consequence of you believing the Gospel is seen right therein those first eleven words culminating in the name of your redeemer.
And I love how Paul has so perfectly framed his name as “Christ Jesus”, “Messiah Saviour”, his title and then his name, so fitting, so perfect as he reminds us that it was Jesus who was promised to come, Jesus whom the word of God had so long spoken of. This is he, that is referred to as in so many ways;
Last Adam, 1 Cor. 15:45. Advocate, 1 John 2:1. Almighty, Rev. 1:8. Alpha and Omega, Rev. 1:8. Amen, Rev. 3:14. Angel, Gen. 48:16; Ex. 23:20, 21. Angel of his presence, Isa. 63:9. Anointed, Psa. 2:2. Apostle, Heb. 3:1. Arm of the Lord, Isa. 51:9, 10. Author and perfecter of our faith, Heb. 12:2Blessed and only Potentate, 1 Tim. 6:15. Branch, Jer. 23:5; Zech. 3:8. Bread of life, John 6:48. Bridegroom, Matt. 9:15. Bright and morning star, Rev. 22:16. Brightness of his (the Father’s) glory, Heb. 1:3. Captain of the host of the Lord, Josh. 5:14. Captain of salvation, Heb. 2:10 Chief corner stone, 1 Pet. 2:6. Chiefest among ten thousand, Song 5:10. Child, Isa. 9:6; Luke 2:27, 43. Chosen of God, 1 Pet 2:4 …the power of God, 1 Cor. 1:24. … the wisdom of God, 1 Cor. 1:24. …, the Son of God, Acts 9:20. the Son of the Blessed, Mark 14:61, This is Christ, the Consolation of Israel, Luke 2:25. Corner stone, Eph. 2:20. Counselor, Isa. 9:6. Daysman, Job 9:33. Dayspring, Luke 1:78. Day star, 2 Pet. 1:19. Deliverer, Rom. 11:26. Desire of all nations, Hag. 2:7. Door, John 10:7. Elect, Isa. 42:1. Emmanuel, Isa. 7:14. Ensign, Isa. 11:10. He is the Eternal life, of 1 John 5:20. Everlasting Father, Isa. 9:6. Faithful and true witness, Rev. 3:14. Finisher of faith, Heb. 12:2. First and last, Rev. 1:17;
And how many more appellations and titles of Christ there is to give, who is salvation itself.
No, there is no other name under heaven by which we are to be saved, he is our salvation and the summary of the hope that we have.
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 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.
That second part of verse 1 is ‘descriptive’ not ‘prescriptive’ beloved, that is answered for us there in verse 4 and explained in verse 5. It is not given as a prescription saying that there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, ‘conditional upon them walking in the spirit’.
No beloved, the text tells us that 5 … 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.
Stating with confidence in the last verse of this section v9;
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.
What a wonderful way to open to us the Summary of our salvation. Jesus Condemned sin in the flesh that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us!!!
But to what shall we liken this salvation? To what are we comparing it?
Glad you asked.
Similitude of Salvation V 10-16
Romans 8:10–16
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 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. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 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. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 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. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
This we see is the Similitude of Salvation. Jesus death is a similitude of the death of our old selves when we believe the Gospel, he died in the flesh and we die to the flesh.
His life, being raised from the dead, is a similitude of our newness of life.
We died in the likeness of his death, we are raised again in the likeness of his resurrection, this to be completed when we are with him in heaven.
11 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.
Turn back to
Romans 6:4–8
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified withhim, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
The similitude begins with the death of Christ and the likeness of our death in Christ, but the similitude of life in him is not limited to this life, but to that which is eternal.
Turn to 1 Corinthians 15:12–22
12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith isalso vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Paul was addressing an error being taught by some that there is no resurrection of the dead, he disputes it particularly in its relationship to the similitude of the resurrection of Christ.
“But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen” (v13)
And this would be true, if Christ is not risen. If Christ be not risen, then in the similitude of Christ, we are not risen.
If Christ be not raised, that therefore means there is no resurrection of the dead.
14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
So what would be the consequences of that, if Christ be not raised?
Well if Christ be not raised, then the similitude of his not being raised leaves death the victor, as the wages of sin is death,
But, Christ having defeated death would show his salvation victorious over death and sin BY HIS RESURECTION, but if this did not occur;
17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
But praise God, Jesus is raised from the dead and become the firstfruits of them that slept. (V20) That is how the similitude of life in Christ is given us.
So now, back to our text.
If therefore Christ is risen to newness of life, should not the similitude of this salvation be found in us? Should we not therefore walk in the Spirit of him that lives? Or are we still indebted to live after the flesh?
12…we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 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.
Again, this is descriptive of one sort who live after the flesh, the other sort who live after the Spirit, one shall die the other shall live. Those who live, do so in the similitude of Christ and who are led by the Spirit of God;
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 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. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
This testimony that, now as Jesus is the Son of God, and we entering into his life are seen as the ‘sons of God’, we have therefore an inheritance as the Children of God to which we look and long for with all our heart;
We are in suspense until that time comes
Suspense of Salvation V17-25
Romans 8:17–25
17 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. 18 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. 19For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Ohhh, it does not take much suffering to be waiting is suspense for the salvation that we are to inherit.
The more trials we undergo, the more we look for the eternal glory that is yet to come.
The more tribulations we endure, the more the suffering, the more the anxiety builds up within, the more we are willing as Paul writes, “to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord” (2 Cor 5:8).
But why is it the suffering that inspires this sort of longing? Why is it not the present reality that we will be seeing the saviour face to face that inspires it? Heaven is not heaven if God is not there, so why should we not be longing for it as we would long for seeing the love of our life?
I can’t speak to the reason suffering motivates the longing of home more than love, but it does seem to do so and so it is addressed in this manner.
Paul writes of the culmination of the suspense in verse 18 as he inspires in us a greater longing saying;
18 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.
Now Paul endured much suffering and he did so for the sake of Christ, and also just as Christ had spoken he would do so responding to the fearful Ananias saying of Paul Acts 9:15–16
15 … he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
And Paul wrote of the many things he endured, many trials, many privations, many sufferings, only to die a martyrs death; one that years before he approved of as an enemy of Christ, against the faithful Stephen in Acts 7.
So, it is one thing to suffer for your sin, it is another indeed to endure it for your righteousness.
Yet some are born suffering, these too long for the glory to be revealed in us, as does all of creation.
Consider the passage from verse 19
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Had you ever seen such a thing? Had you known of it, that the very creation itself ‘groans and travails’ and is itself in suspense, ‘waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God”?
This is one of the places we come to see the reality that man was not a by-product of creation as the atheistic biological sciences teach today.
Man did not come from the goo, through the zoo to you!
Man was not the product of Creation, buts its PURPOSE.
Why else does the creation grown until those who are saved are fully manifest in glory?
Because when man fell, so too did the entire created order of the universe fall into a state of entropy, rather than an enduring constant, the universe is in a state of transformation, and ultimate DECAY. “not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope” (v20)
The agnostic Physicists of the world cannot come up with an understanding of how the entire universe could be winding down without first having been wound up. The attempt at answering this question has led to a multitude of speculative ideas, least of which is has man as the cause of the fall.
Yet this is what we see in the scriptures. Creation itself is waiting in suspense for the salvation of that purchased possession which is you and I.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
The ”waiting” spoken of here is one of patiently abiding but together with the “groaning” we are doing within, leads to our suspense of salvation, we are looking forward to, anticipating, earnestly expecting the redemption of our body.
We wait in hope, but not the ‘hopeso’ hope of the world; the hope we look to is described in the passage;
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
The “Hope” we look for is with the certain expectation of what we are promised. And we wait patiently.
Meanwhile however, like the entire creation of the universe, we grown and travail and need of the Lord all the support we can obtain, and so he provides;
Support of Salvation V26-30
Romans 8:26–30
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Here we see our support shown to us in two distinct ways, one is direct and the other through encouragement.
DIRECT:
The direct support is witnessed as the Spirit of God helping our own infirmities, our own deficiencies and short comings. And boy do we have them!
Beloved it’s not as if once we are saved, we become perfect in character and holiness. We stand righteous before God, but its not in our own righteousness, we are rather ‘clothed with the righteousness of Christ’
Isaiah 61:10
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness,
Yet we are of “unclean lips and dwell among a people of unclean lips” (Isa 6:5).
Only the Lord can make us stand. Without him we cannot stand.
We cannot even pray without him
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
God the Spirit intercedes on our behalf even as we stumble in prayer!
Have you experienced this? You lean upon your bed or couch, floor or wall and set yourself to pray and you stay and at times not a word comes to mind. You have a heart to pray, but words escape you.
You know it is the God of heaven and earth that you set yourself before but find yourself unworthy even to utter a syllable.
You feel yourself dirty, you feel as if you are not clean in his sight.
At least not until you come to realise the wonderful truths of the Gospel, that you are washed(Jn 13:10), that you are clean (Jn 15:3), that you are to “come boldly unto the throne of grace” (heb 4:16).
That you were once strangers and foreigners, but now fellow citizens with the saints and the household of God (Eph 2:19).
We are in a literal sense all of these things, but now while we, together with all creation “groan and travail”, we are still practically infirm and have need of his intersession.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Now we come to the other way of Support of Salvation;
ENCOURAGMENT:
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
If all things work together for good to them that love God, and if it is true that the Lord helps our infirmities even in prayer, how can we not then be encouraged to live for him?
This is why we, together with all creation, wait patiently….and in perfect safety!
Safety of Salvation V31-39
Romans 8:31–39
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
You would be hard pressed to find a portion of the bible that can even compare to that which is written in these nine verses.
Never have I felt such safety and security in my eternal hope than I did when I first laid the eyes of my understanding upon this incredible passage.
Paul begins rhetorically,
“What shall we then say to these things, if God be for us, who can be against us?”
In other words, NO ONE!
There is nothing anyone can do to harm your eternal hope, there is none that can take it away, there are no obstacles that can be thrown in your path that will separate you from the Love of Christ, nothing for anyone else and nothing self-inflicted.
Paul asks and answers the question in one!
But if that not be clear enough, he answers again
“if God be for us, who can be against us?” and so he answers; “32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?.”
Then another rhetorical question;
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? And then he answers it again, It isGod that justifieth.
And then another rhetorical question;
34 Who is he that condemneth? With yet another answer, It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Now the Son intercedes on our behalf against accusation of condemnation. This is again perfectly fitting. The Spirit intercedes in communication, Christ intercedes against condemnation, why?
Because he died for us, he paid the price for our sin and so justly intercedes.
How can it be possible that any man can be condemned when the payment of their crime is testified to by he who paid it?
Satan, that vile accuser of the brethren, testifies against us. And there is the Son, who paid for the sin testified, and the defendant is free and uncondemned!
Now the final rhetorical question before the culmination of all things concerning the Summary of Salvation;
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
And now comes the answer;
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
The final conclusion of the matter laid once and for all that none can ever have the right to claim we are not now in the greatest safety of all;
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Until he comes,
Maranatha
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