The Spirit's Help

The Spirit’s Help – Rom 8:26-27

Vs 26 – The Holy Spirit will help in times when we are infirmed, sick or in trouble.  We may not know how to pray in those times because we may be focused on what is happening to us.  In those times the Holy Spirit will help make intercession through us with groaning which cannot be uttered.  In times of deep and dark discouragement the Holy Spirit will be with us helping us to articulate to God want we need.

Vs 27 – The Lord Jesus Christ who searches all things knows the mind of the Spirit.  Jesus makes intercession for us according to the will of God.  Together they work on our behalf for the perfect will of God to be done in our lives.  It is such a comfort to know that the Holy Spirit knows exactly how to help.  Jesus also is working on our behalf.  These two factors help us in our times of waiting and need.

The Spirit searches all things

The Spirit searches all things – Rom 8:26-27

Vs 26 – The Holy Spirit will help in times when we are infirmed, sick or in trouble.  We may not know how to pray in those times because we may be focused on what is happening to us.  In those times the Holy Spirit will help make intercession through us with groaning which cannot be uttered.  In times of deep and dark discouragement the Holy Spirit will be with us helping us to articulate to God want we need.

Vs 27 – The Lord Jesus Christ who searches all things knows the mind of the Spirit.  Jesus makes intercession for us according to the will of God.  Together they work on our behalf for the perfect will of God to be done in our lives.  You can trust the Holy Spirit to help you find and know the will of God.  He will take that which of the Father and bring it to us.  God has a perfect will of eternal and abundant life for us today.  Seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened unto you.

Willing to Wait

Willing to Wait – Rom 8:24-25

Vs 24 – We have been saved by hope.  Paul then says that when a person has seen something they no longer have hope for they have seen what they hoped for.  When you have not seen what you have hoped for you still have faith and trust.  You know God has promised it and now you are waiting for its fulfilment.

Vs 25 – Our hope give us the patience to wait for what has been promised.  What a great verse to stand upon as you wait for God’s promises to come to past.  Jeremiah 29:11 reminds is that God’s view is that He is not angry but loves us and promises us a hope and future.  God has great thoughts towards you today.  Abraham, David, Peter and Paul learned that and you can as well.

Heirs of God

Heirs of God – Rom 8:17-19

Vs 17 – The reality of this life in Christ and in the Spirit is that we are not only children but heirs of God.  What a thought, we are joints heirs with Jesus Christ.  What ever He has we will have.  We will suffer with Him but we will also be glorified with Him as well.  Suffering is part of the Christian life but with that suffering also comes glorification later.

Vs 18 – Paul says that the present suffering is nothing in comparison with what comes later, glorification.  Suffering produces the glory of God.  The glory of God is the character and essence of God.  You become more like the Lord through your suffering.

Vs 19 – We are in a waiting or holding pattern.  We are waiting for the manifestation of the Son of God.  A day is coming when all that is hope for and believed in will become a reality.  What a day that will be as the whole hymn says, “When Jesus we will see.”  We look through a glass darkly right now but one day we shall see and know Him as He is.

Our Father

Our Father – Rom 8:14-16

Vs 14 – The result of being led by the Spirit is that you are the son or daughter of God.  It is His will and desires that you wish to have in your life.

Vs 15 – The results of being led by the Spirit is that you are not in bondage to fear.  You have love, power and a sound mind.  Secondly, you have been adopted into the family of God.  Lastly you can call him, “Daddy God.”

Vs 16 -  The Spirit bear witness in our Spirit.  He testifies to our spirit and heart that we are the children of God.  What a scripture of assurance.  You are the son and daughter of God.  What a beautiful truth.  You can call Him Father.  He is your Father because of Jesus Christ so enjoy this wonderful relationship.

Contrast between two minds

Contrast of two Minds – Rom 8:6-8

Vs 6 – Paul makes it clear about the difference between spiritually minded and carnally minded.  For the carnal minded they will see death.  The spiritually minded will see life.

Vs 7 – To be carnally minded means you will find yourself fighting God.  The carnal mind is not and will not subject or obey the law of God.  The battle is for control.  The carnal mind cannot submit to God because it must be in charge.

Vs 8 – So when a person walks in the flesh they cannot please God.  Pride, sin and disobedience are a straight path to destruction.  There is a clear contrast between the two.  Today choose to be spiritually minded and refuse the issues of the flesh.  Live in the reality of Christ and have Him control your thought process and actions today.

Set your mind on the things above

Set your mind on the things of the Spirit – Rom 8:5-6

Vs 4 – The law of righteousness will be fulfilled in us if we choose not to walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  God wants to impute to you righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit but that does not happen unless you choose to walk in the Spirit.

Vs 5 – Those who walk in the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh and those that have the mind of the Spirit set their hearts on the things of the Spirit.  Jesus said, “That which is flesh is flesh and that which is Spirit is Spirit.  The two cannot co-exist.  Set your minds of the things of the Spirit.

No condemnation

No condemnation – Rom 8:1-3

Vs 1 – Paul says that because Christ has delivered us from death unto life there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  The operative word here is making sure you are in Christ Jesus.  You know you belong to Him.  Then you will no longer want to walk according to the flesh with its images or standards.  You want to walk according to the Spirit with His gifts and fruit.

Vs 2 – The law of the Spirit of life in Christ has made us free from the law of sin and death.  There is a powerful contrast between life and freedom in Christ and the law which brought sin and death.

Vs 3 – The law could not free mankind from sin and death but God sent His Son Jesus Christ in the form of sinful flesh.  Jesus was like us in all ways yet without sin.  His death condemned sin in any form because He died in the flesh that sin would be done away with.  Praise the Lord.

Thank God

Thank God -  Rom 7:24-25

Vs 24 – Paul saw the he was a wretched man.  In that moment he saw what he was.  He then cried out, “Who can save me from this body of death?”  That is a question every person has to answer.

Vs 25 – Paul however does leave himself, his audience or us in a hopeless or helpless position.  “Thank God”, he says for Jesus Christ our Lord.  He has rescued us from sin, it’s slavery and death it brings.  He has helped us to pass from death unto life.  Jesus is God’s answer and man’s remedy for sin.  Paul is a slave to God’s law in His mind but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.  Fortunately for Paul and us, who the Son sets free, is free indeed.  Freedom is found in no one else.  He is the one that brings us into the fullness of eternal and abundant life.  Like Paul we can say, “Thank God for Jesus Christ.”

The Law of Life

The law of Life – Rom 7:21-23

Vs 21 –The law Paul finds working in him is this, when he wants to good the reality is that sin is right there with him.  This is the same thing Cain faced when God told Him that sin was standing at the door of his heart and it was looking to master him but he could master it.  Cain’s greatest fault was that he allowed sin to perpetuate through him and be passed onto man.  That was a defining moment in the history of man.

Vs 22 – Paul says that he desired in his inner man to do what God wanted.  He saw the value and the beauty of the law.

Vs 23 – But he saw something else working in his members.  This created a war between what he wanted to do in his mind and heart.  He was a prisoner and slave to the law that was working in his members even though in his mind and heart he wanted to do God’s law and will.  Doing God’s will should be our top priority.  Only through the power of the Spirit led life can this be accomplishment.  Fear falters but faith leaps.  Walk in faith and start walking and leaping and praising God.

Your Internal Debate

The Internal Debate – Rom 7:14-16

Vs 14 – Paul then begins what is known as the great internal debate.  The law is spiritual.  Mankind is however un-spiritual and a slave to sin.  We are dead in our trespasses and sin until we come to Christ.

Vs 15 – Paul says, we do not understand what we do.  What we want to do we cannot, will not or do not do.  We do what we hate.

Vs 16 – If we do what we do not want to do, we have to agree that the law is good.  The law shows us that we are sinners incapable of doing good, even if we wanted too.  You must say no to yourself and yes to God to truly have victory.  In this struggle with yourself ask the Lord to help you and rely on the Holy Spirit in this battle for supremacy of your life.

Good and Godly People

Good and Godly People – Rom 7:11-13

Vs 11 – Sin seized the moment afforded to it by the commandments. It deceived Paul and through the commandments put him to death.  Sin blinds us to our real soul condition and robs us of a clear vision of our true condition.  Sin deceives, blind and leads us to death.

Vs 12 – Paul then reveals three things about the law.  First, it is holy.  Next, the commandments themselves are holy.  They were given by a holy God to His holy people.

The commandments are righteous and are designed to bring righteous living.  Lastly, the law is good.  The law was given by a good God to create a good and godly people.

Vs 13 – Paul then answers another question his critics presented.  Was that which is good become death to me?   Sin needs to be recognized as sin.  It cannot be excused, ignored or pandered with.  It will kill, rob and destroy.  It takes what is good and produces death.  The commandment showed what sin was and proved that is was utterly sinful.  So today avoid sin and cling to God and live in a right relationship with Him.

Needed to be Revealed

Needed to be Revealed – Rom 7:9-10

Vs 9 – Paul says that once he was alive apart from the law but when the commandments came sin became alive.  Mankind then knew what was wrong and sin sprang to life and mankind died.  Some would then argue then, why did God bring the law?  Sin was always present but it needed to be revealed for the sinister thing is was, so it could be dealt with once and for all.

Vs 10 – The paradox of the law was that even though is was intended to bring life because of human weakness and sin, it actually brought death.  That is a reality with any good thing.  It can be perverted by sin, the devil or the world.  Our responsibility is to make sure it does not corrupt us and bring us down.  God has given all the tools, resources and wisdom to make the right choices.  Let us do it for His praise and glory.  

Know what is right

Know what is Right – Rom 7:7-8

Vs 7 – Paul then answers his critics and detractors by answering a question they had.  Is the law sin?  Paul says of course not.  The law revealed what sin was.  We would not have known about coveting if not for the law when it said, do not say do not covet.  

Vs 8 – But sin like any living force seized upon an opportunity and produced in Paul every kind of covetous desire.  When you know what is wrong, it produces a desire to do it, to prove you are not a prude.  Paul says, “For apart from the law sin dead.”  God has used to ways to bring us to Himself the revelation of creation and the voice of conscience.  God used the law to show us what sin was now it is our responsibility to choose God’s path or our own.  It is our decision but with that decision is consequences.  The law was never wrong it was our reaction that was.  React right and live for God.

The Way of the Spirit

Way of the Spirit – Rom 7:1-5

Vs 4 – When a person comes to Christ they die to the law and they belong to Him who was raised from the dead.  Jesus put the power and effects of the law to death on the Christ and He rose to bring a new life and era based on grace and love.  The results of this new life are fruitfulness to God.

Vv 5 – When we were controlled by sin and the passions it creates.  The law which was at work in our bodies brought only one thing and that was sinful death.

Vs 6 – By becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ we died to that which once bound us and now we are free or released from the law of sin and death.  We can serve in a new way God through the Holy Spirit.  The way of the Spirit is not of any written code.  The law of the Spirit is freedom and love.

Results of Righteousness

Results of Righteousness – Rom 6:21-22

Vs 21 – He then asks them what benefits did they reap from their former lifestyle?  The former things they did lead them to death.  Death just begets more death.

Vs 22 – Being a slave of righteousness means you are free from death, hell and the grave.  As a slave of righteousness your benefits are as follows:  First, you live a life of holiness which pleases God.  The result of this lifestyle is eternal life.  There are always benefits or results from righteous living.  One such benefit is the open heavens policy.  God will open the windows of heaven and rain down on you His abundant blessings.  There is always a reaping to what is being sowed.  Sow righteousness today and reap the benefits such as having your prayers and needs met.

Living Right

Right Living – Rom 6:19-20

Vs 19 – Paul explains why he has put this concept in natural terms or logic.  It is because his audience and readers were weak in their natural selves.  At one time they offer themselves to impurity and wickedness now He was encouraging them to offer themselves to righteousness.  Righteousness always leads to holiness and right living before God and man.

Vs 20 – Paul reminds them that when you were slaves to sin they were free from the control and demands of righteousness.  Righteousness demands holiness and right living.

This begins with submitting your thought life to God and then following it through right actions.  Only then will you know the perfect and acceptable will of God.  Paul did and he turned his world up right for Christ and you can too.

Determine Your Destiny

Determine your destiny – Rom 6:17-18

Vs 17 – Paul then begins a statement and a declaration of faith.  He gives thanks to God that the Roman Christians though at one time were slaves to sin now have embraced or wholehearted entrusted to themselves to the new teaching they have received in Christ.

Vs 18 – They have been set free from sin and now are slaves to righteousness.  Here is a reality you will have a master.  It will be sin, the devil, yourself or God.  Whoever you choose will determine your eternal destiny.  Paul knew the price of wrong mastership.  When he followed his own will he was trying to destroy the church.  When he was converted he was building the church.  Are you a builder or destroyer?  Choose the right path today.

Slaves of Righteousness

Slaves of righteousness – Rom 6:15-16

Vs 15 – Paul begins a new thought and section.   His theme in this final part of this chapter is about being slaves of righteousness.  He begins again with another question.  This is a question his opponents were asking.  Will we still sin because we are no longer under the law but grace?  Paul says by no means.  When we live in Christ we will no longer wish to sin

Vs 16 – Paul then employs simple logic.  When you offer yourself to some one as a slave you will obey their wishes, desires and demands.  If you offer yourself to sin, this will lead to death.  If you offer yourself to Christ your obedience will lead to life and righteousness.  The choice is clear.  Slavery was a well known practice among the Romans.  It has also been reported that many early Christians were in reality slaves.  So this concept presented here was totally applicable.  Offer yourself to God today and live under a new master and know and receive His love.

You have passed from death unto light

You have passed from death unto life – Rom 6:13-14

Vs 13 – Paul then tells His audience to no longer offer parts of their bodies as instruments of unrighteousness but offer them as instruments of righteousness.  You are a person that has pass from death unto life.  What a beautiful statement and reality.

Vs 14 – Sin must no longer be your master for you are not under law but grace.  Grace is God’s riches at Christ’s expense.  Grace is a complete and total life based on a new life in Christ.  My old pastor used to say that he had passed from death unto life.  As one of the pioneers of the faith he knew God’s power and provision.  Today do not offer part of yourself as an instrument of unrighteousness but life in the reality of God’s grace and pass from death unto life.