Romans 8

As we continue looking at walking in after the Holy Spirit of God in (Rom. 8), we see that God gives the believer much encouragement along the way. 1) We have the encouragement of heir-ship. In (v.14-17), we see that, at the moment of salvation we became “sons of God,” and also “heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ.” Now in Christ we have been given a new family (the Church) to encourage us, but also a future glory to look forward to as well. Praise the Lord that now in Christ, all that God has given Jesus will one day be shared with all in his family. 2) We have the encouragement of helpers. The first helper is the church. It's amazing how many people try to walk the Christian walk alone, rather than join a church and reap the benefits of having new brothers and sisters to help them and encourage them along the way. Now in Christ, we not only have a new family but secondly a new Dad, so that when we are in need or in distress, all we have to do is cry “Abba Father”(or dad help), and He promises to help. Thirdly, We also have The Holy Spirit’ help. The Bible tells us in (chp. 8) that as we travel our journey, the Holy Spirit is in constant communication with the Father, revealing to Him God’s will for our lives. So that when we know not the way, or when we can’t pray as we ought, the Spirit of God is constantly praying for us. Thank God, that God promises in His Word, that “He will never leave us or forsake us.”

Now in Christ

As we continue looking at walking in after the Holy Spirit of God in (Rom. 8), we see also that God gives us much encouragement along the way. 1) We have the encouragement of heir-ship. In (v.14-17), we see that, at the moment of salvation we became “sons of God,” and also “heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ.” Now in Christ we have been given not just a new family (Church) to encourage us, but also a future glory to look forward to as well. Praise the Lord that now in Christ, what God has given Jesus he will one day share with us. 2) We have the encouragement of helpers. Now when in need or in distress, all we have to do is cry “Abba Father,” and He promises to help. We also have The Holy Spirit’ help. The Bible tells us in (chp. 8) that as we travel our journey, the Holy Spirit is in constant communication with the Father, revealing to Him God’s will for our lives. So that when we know not the way, or when we can’t or don’t pray as we ought, the Spirit of God is constantly praying for us, so He can guide us. For God promises in His Word, that “He will never leave us or forsake us.”

O wretched man that I am!

Rom. 7:24) “ O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” This was the Apostle Paul’s question in chapter 7 after realizing that sin was still controlling him after salvation, but thank God he also concluded, ‘”so then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”After salvation, it becomes quite apparent to us that we can still sin. Why? Because even though we have been freed from the condemnation of sin in salvation, our flesh or sin nature is still very much alive within us. Therefore, we must learn to control the old nature of sin. That’s why God at the moment of salvation places within us his new nature, and his Holy Spirit to help us control the old flesh. So, the problem that we face is not that we still have the old nature, but rather that the old nature has tricked us into believing he's still in control. Baptism is our first step of obedience to Christ, but we also must choose to yield our mind and body to Jesus as well. You see the old nature within us wants us to believe that we can't stop sinning. In Christ we are now free from his power, just as death frees a wife from the power of her first husband (Rom. 7:1-6). “So then (Paul asks) who (then) shall deliver us?” Well, the answer is clear, our new husband, Jesus Christ (Ro.7:4). Once we learn to yield ourselves now unto his word and walk in and after his Holy Spirit, we will have power over the old nature! You see the problem is not that we can't, but rather that we just won't. (Phil 4:13) "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."