Romans 8:19-30

Romans 8:19-30Senior Pastor Alex KennedyOne way to expose ourselves to the Spirit is to think about the extravagant love of Christ. We must "put to death" sin. Through the Spirit, we must fight violently against sin. When we do this, we can love what He loves. Remember, we do not fight sin to "earn" the favor of God. You are already His child!
Verse 15 speaks of adoption. Immediately upon Roman adoption:

1. Old debts and legal obligations are paid in full
2. Receive a new name and identity
3. Father becomes instantly liable for all debts
4. There is an understood obligation to honor a please the Father

This is the how we should see our adoption to God. There is security in this because even today a judge will say, "Do you realize that this adopted child is 'more yours' than any biological child you could have?" The reason for this is that an adopted child cannot legally be disinherited while a biological child can. Your security as God's child is secure!
Verse 16 says that the Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. This happens through our changed life (conviction over sin, hunger for God's Word, etc..) We live differently.
Paul goes on to teach how we share in what Christ has: heirship, suffering, and glory. Heirship and glory are eternal, but suffering is only temporary (2 Cor 4:16-18).
Three Groanings

1. Creation (v20) - Through original sin, creation longs to be set free from bondage and obtain freedom.
2. Ourselves
3. The Spirit on our behalf

We live in weakness, but the Spirit prays for us, even when we do not know the words to say (v26-27). Be encouraged that both Jesus and the Spirit intercede for YOU!
Romans 8:28 is one of those verses that is often taken out of context or said to encourage...but can hurt. It doesn't say, "all things are good". It says that all things He works together in His understanding of the "big picture" for good.

If we love God for what He does for us,we will quit.If we love God for who He is,we can endure the suffering.

Suffering can make us bitter or better. We must get to a place to be able to say, "I don't understand it, but I trust You."
Verse 29 shows us that "the good" He is working is conforming us into the image of His Son. It is our sanctification. WE are made in His image (Imago Dei) on purpose.
Paul wraps up this section with a powerful "not yet" Truth. He uses past tense language to speak reality of not only what has happened, but what will happen. He says, "He also glorified" us. It is sure because God always finishes what He started. (Phil 1:6)
Questions to Consider:

1. How is being God’s child different from being God’s employee or servant?
2. When do you most forget that you are God’s child?
3. What is an area of suffering for you today? Do you trust God enough to ask, "What do you want me to learn from this?"
4. Is there a situation in your life that feels hard to believe God is working for good?
5. How can you rely more on the Spirit instead of just trying harder?

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