Romans 8

Bible Passage:  Romans 8

It’s hard to write something about Romans 8 at short notice when this chapter simply overflows with lots of lessons and reminders on how we as Christians should live.

I am sure the words in this chapter will resonate to you in so many different ways.  Time and time again, I have always marvelled at how the chapters that I am reading each day seem to be just what I needed in my life at that moment.

So instead of writing about it, I would just like to share a few songs that came to mind as I read today’s chapter.  Maybe the lyrics and the melody of the songs will also touch your heart as it did mine.  Or maybe you have your own songs to share.  Or maybe its just a verse or two to share.

Whatever it is…. may we all encourage one another as long as it is still today.

And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.  ~ Romans 8:10

This phrase “Christ is is you” is comforting in so many ways.  It is also so encouraging.

Because it tells me that with the Holy Spirit in us, God Himself, will be helping us to put to death sin that wants to reign over us.  Because of Christ in us, we can be dead to sin.

Recently, I learned this song called “Everything”.  When Christ is in me, He should be my EVERYTHING – cause by Him being my everything, sin will have no chance to live in me.

Just listen to the lyrics of this song….

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”  ~  Rom 8:15

Abba, Father.

How intimate is this relationship!

God…. not a God high up in heavens alone.  But a God we can call Father… simply because He has sent us His Spirit.

This is something to treasure… but sometimes like petulant and willful children, we ignore Him.  We mock Him.  We hurt Him.  We run away from Him.

The lyrics of this song, “Abba, Father” speaks of my longing and prayer right now.  Maybe it does for you too….

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  ~ Rom 8:28

This is an oft quoted verse that we all love and want to believe in.

I said… want to believe in… because sometimes when we meet with trials, set backs, unhappy events, or simply rough times… we wonder if God truly loves us and cares for us.

We wonder if we are called …. simply because nothing ever seems to go right in our lives.

But this promise of God holds true… to those who truly love God and keep His Words…

I simply love this kiddies’ song about this verse… see if you enjoy it.  But more importantly… believe in the promises of His Word… and living a life in righteousness and obedience.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?… ~  Rom 8:35

Verses 31 to 39 is one of the most stirring passages of the Bible for me.

What can separate me from the love of Christ?

This part very much follows on from Rom 8:28…

Paul was a perfect example of someone who endured a great deal in his life… if you think you are in sufferings… wait till you see what he went through!  39 lashes on several occasions.  Bound in chains.  Shipwrecked and nearly lost his life.  Imprisoned for 2 years.  Enemies plotted to kill him.  Ridiculed, rejected and thrown out of town.

Whew!  When I read this… I know I am in no way near what Paul went through…. ok.. suffered.

But whatever he faced… he still managed to keep going.

In spite of all his troubles, Paul was able to say as he wrote to the Philippians, “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.”

Paul never got bitter because he suffered or ran into difficulty. He only got better. His trials deepened his faith and strengthened his determination.

He knew that through Christ, he can find the strength to overcome ever difficulty.

In 1 Cor 12:10 he said, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

I wonder how many of us can say this?  What an attitude.

Paul was certain that God was always at work in his life to fulfill His promises, and to show Himself strong, and bring about good. There was no reason for bitterness in Paul’s life.

This is a great encouragement for us today.  When you feel that life is only giving you heartache and pain, remember that God is still at work.

I read this quote from a famous Christian writer.  He says… “The bumps are what you climb on.”

He was referring to the bumps that we face in life’s journey… life’s difficulties and hardships.

Indeed, like Paul, we should let God help us gain a new perspective of the things we are going through.  We should draw closer to Him (how else better than to read the Bible daily).  We should deepen our faith.

Let us learn to grow better and not grow bitter as we learn to allow God to work in our lives.

There are days when the sun doesn’t seem to shine and the heaviness of what’s going on around me pulls me down. But instead of getting bitter and hateful about our circumstances, help us to see them as opportunities for God to work in us and through us and for us.

Indeed… Nothing can ever separate us from the love of Christ.