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romans Chapters 6 - 8.

2. THE POWER PLANT OF GRACE…. 
GOD’S WAY is revealed in depth. He will sanctify and preserve the repentant, those who will receive His reconciliation.

romans – CHAPTER EIGHT. 

Chapters four to seven in the book of Romans lead us along steadily, step by step to Romans chapter eight, the PRIZE! Chapters 4 through to 5:1-21 are part of the Court House scene. The court record is from 1:18 to 4:25. Then the court review is found in 5:1-21.  The Power Plant of God extends upwards from then on, chapters 6-8, in this way:   

The plan        – first floor        - sanctification.              Romans 6:
The pain        – second floor   – frustration.                   Romans 7:
The prize       – third floor       - God’s preservation.      Romans 8. 

 We will move into THE PRIZE of God’s preservation today, as this chapter is the crowning point of a glorious revelation! We will see the prize first, then go back and skim through four astonishing questions which are all asked and answered by Paul in the book of Romans. These are some of the most profound and important questions and answers in the entire Bible.

Here they are:

1. Why does the sinner need to be saved? (Answer, CONDEMNATION);
2. How is the sinner saved? (Answer, JUSTIFICATION);
3. What happens to the sinner after he or she is saved? (Answer, SANCTIFICATION);
4. Will the sinner reImages saved? (Answer, PRESERVATION).

 ALL OF GOD,  HE DOES EVERYTHING FOR US. 

Willmington has described the eighth chapter of Romans in this lovely way:

“It has been observed that if the Bible were likened to a beautiful ring set with jewels, the book of Romans would be the most beautiful jewel in the ring and the eighth chapter the most beautiful facet in the jewel.” 

This mighty chapter is rather like an amplification of John 8:24

24. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins:
 for if ye believe not that I am [he],  ye shall die in your sins. 

and Revelation 21:5.

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 

Please read in your Bible in your own private time. –compare with Romans 8 

The eighth chapter of Romans is in the middle of the book, there being sixteen chapters in all.  It is one of the most beloved passages in the Bible, and shows the astonishing difference in a person who has been redeemed in Christ Jesus. Before Christ saved them, that person had no hope, help, future or possible escape from endless disaster forever. Then God grants the glorious pardon due to Christ’s death for us, and ALL is changed. Romans chapter 8 shows thrillingly the extent of that change. The scene is now The Power Plant of Grace, God’s Way is our sanctification and preservation. These two words are vitally important, for God’s Grace gives all to the saved individual, and He does not remove His favour. Why? Because it is based only on the righteousness and sacrifice of Christ Jesus alone, and Christ Jesus has no changing in Him:

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning. Of His own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.” (James 1:17,18). 

Why have I chosen to move along into Romans 8? Imagesly to get it clear in our minds and spirits NOW that GOD PRESERVES HIS SAVED ONES – we do not have to “preserve” ourselves unto the end to be saved, we cannot lose our salvation, EVER! What the eighth chapter does for us is show us the glory of PERSERVATION by God’s hand alone. Remember well these words:

not Perseverance until the end, but Preservation by God’s Grace and power.

EVERYTHING IS NEW!

You, as a believer, have all the NEWNESS of life as described in Romans 8. This is the PRIZE of all prizes. Here we stand, free and safe, because of what the Judge did when He took our punishment, as shown in earlier chapters: 

The believer in Christ Jesus as Saviour has a:

NEW POSITION – 8:1-4,

NEW GUEST  - 8:5-13,

NEW ADOPTION – 8:14-17,

NEW EXPECTATION – 8:18-25,

NEW PRAYER HELPER – 8:26,27,

NEW KNOWLEDGE – 8:28,

NEW GOAL – 8:29-39. 

As we read these passages ask yourself the question,

“what do these NEW and wonderful things mean to me?” 

·        Have you any hidden worries about being safe in Christ forever?

·        This could be the worst worry of all your life?

·        Do you understand how great the love of God is towards you?

·        Do you understand His mighty preservation of the saved sinner?

·        Will the believing sinner reImages saved?  

Romans 8:1 answers this in essence.
Then chapter 8 goes on to answer that the redeemed will reImages saved BECAUSE of the following things:

READ: 8:1-4. 

A NEW POSITION.

We are IN CHRIST, safe forever! We are set free from the law of sin and death. Note that God says that there is “no condemnation” that we are sinless and perfect in Jesus Christ’ s own righteousness. We are “Justified” or declared not guilty. What was our huge sin? High treason against the Creator. He took our punishment Himself in His Son. We all fall into sin after we are saved, but we do not then lose our salvation because IN Christ there is NO CONDEMNATION! We must seek the Lord for victory over sin at all times, and repent of all sin – because there is now NO CONDEMNATION, praise God. Believers obey the Lord not out of fear, that if they don’t they will be lost again. They obey the Lord out of love for Him, and because they want to be holy and righteous and beautiful. They obey because of the Holy Spirit within them ever working to conform them to the image of Christ Jesus. God has no “big stick” driving believers, He has planted His longing for righteousness in their hearts. 

READ: 8: 5-13.

We are preserved and safe because of:

THE NEW GUEST.

Who is this Guest? The Holy Spirit of God. He really lives within the believer, the glory of it can escape us at times. He has promised never to leave us again.
Hebrews 13:5, Ephesians 1:13; 4:30. We are SEALED in our redemption by the Holy Spirit. 

READ: 8: 14-17.

We are preserved and safe because of:

THE NEW ADOPTION....See Appendix 1

Our Heavenly Father has actually ADOPTED the saved sinner. Regeneration gives us the very nature of a child of God. Adoption gives us the POSITION of a child of God. Once we gain the Holy Spirit we have a new nature from God, and it surely follows that we are then placed, in a proper legal sense, in the privileged position, which our new life demands. (See also Galatians 4:4-6; Ephesians 1:5 and 11 Corinthians 6:18). 

READ 8:18-25.

We are preserved and safe because of:

THE NEW EXPECTATION.

We are safe and preserved in salvation forever because of the New Expectation God shows us. God is finally, in the future, going to redeem the whole of creation. This includes the whole person of the believer. We are not going to be bodiless souls floating around in eternity, sitting on a pink cloud playing a harp. Our BODIES will be redeemed, the very ones we are in right now. If that wasn’t the case then Christ’s Body didn’t rise from the dead, and His bones lie right now somewhere in the Holy Land. God loves every bit of you, and wants you WHOLE in heaven with Him. What will our new bodies, renewed and made immortal, be like? The Bible shows us lots of details about this new body. By looking at Christ’s resurrected Body we can see what ours will be like, because we will have a body like His (1 John 3:2). Flesh and bone (Luke 24:39); speaking, eating, drinking (John 20:17; Luke 24:30; 41-43; John 21:13). All of this was what Christ’s resurrected Body was like, so also will our bodies be like His. We also will be recognizable as ourselves(1 Cor. 13:12). The Spirit will dominate our new bodies (1 Cor. 15:44,49). We will not be limited to time and space (John 20:19). 

CREATION itself will be delivered from the bondage
that came upon it when Adam fell in the Garden of Eden. (8:21). 

READ 8:26,27.

We are preserved and safe because of: 

NEW PRAYER.

We are preserved by God forever safe because of the NEW PRAYER. Who is shown here to be praying for us? The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit lives in us, witnesses to us, and prays for us – as Christ Himself does (see Hebrews 7:25). We don’t know what to pray, but the Holy Spirit groans within us. This shows an intensity of caring and love, bringing us personally before the Lord God’s throne. See other intense “groans” in Romans 8:

Nature groans (8:22); the believer groans (8:23); and the Holy Spirit groans (8:26). 

READ 8:28.

We are preserved and safe because of this fact: 

“ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD?”

The wonderful passage from 8:28-34 shows the purpose of God in the Gospel that can never fail. Note in verse 28 that God does not say that every thing that happens to us will be GOOD in itself. He says that it will WORK FOR OUR GOOD. This is only for God-lovers who are the called of God for His purpose, not for all people on earth! If we stand firm on this promise, and keep ourselves aware of God’s love, and trust and obey in His strength alone, then this promise can apply to every thing in life. Sad or happy, easy or hard happenings, in times when the money is flowing and when it is scarce, in sickness and in health, in youth or old age, in good report or bad report – ALL things work together for YOUR good. Even unto physical death! Glory to His Name, what a promise this is! 

READ 8:29-39.

We are preserved and safe because:

We have a NEW GOAL, to be CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST.

This is the Almighty’s goal for you and me, and nothing will stop His will in this!

All other goals are as nothing compared to this one which is God’s for you! Making money, having the house paid off, going places in a well-paid career – all this will be done away with. BUT, God is bringing about a transformation in us which is everlasting, we must co-operate with Him. This was begun as soon as you were born again in Christ Jesus, and will not stop until the transformation is completed in eternity. 

God Himself is willing to give you ALL that you need for this life and for eternity – but, we want to handle things ourselves so often. He has given us: 

Justification freely given, can never be lost;

 A new life in Christ so that we can be RIGHTEOUS because we share His life;
 God has already PRESERVED us in Christ Jesus;
 And we will one day be the very IMAGE of Jesus Christ Himself in beauty and holiness. 
We need to understand and receive what God has given, is giving and wanting to give us.

DON’T GO IT ALONE, IN YOUR OWN ENABLING.

That is NOT walking by faith (Romans 1:17). Let God be all in you, through you and for you.
( In His grace, in His enabling.) 

GOD’S ONE SUPREME PURPOSE.

God’s one great purpose on this planet is to save as many as will freely agree to be saved, and conform these to the image of Jesus Christ - in the least amount of time as possible! If you will agree and rest from your own struggles and works, He can do this for you much quicker and with NO STRAIN on your part. When you want to create your own righteousness you miss the point – you can’t do it! Righteousness is the fruit of the Holy Spirit as He creates anew the righteousness of the Christ Life in you (Galatians 5:22-26). Christian character and Christ’s image is produced by the Holy Spirit, not self effort in any way. Want to grow in Christ? Then let GOD do the work, and die to self effort. 

THE STEPS LEADING TO GOD”S GOAL:

These are thrilling beyond belief:

·        “He did foreknow” – every true believer, you included. 8:29;

·        “He….did predestinate” - every believer. 8:30; [ice & clay blocks analogy]

·        “He…called” -  you and me, every saved person. 8:30;

·        “ He….justified” -  every true believer 8:30.

·        “ He… glorified” the believer. 8:30. 

Note that God already sees us as “glorified” - but that is to do with being in His presence in glory! Verse 30 is all in the present tense. It is a fore-gone conclusion that we will be there in glory, made perfect, and it is as good as done already in God’s economy! We are already white-robed, perfect and glorious creatures in God’s mind, Who is not limited as we are by space and time. 

OUR LIFE IS HID IN CHRIST JESUS.

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3).

We have an absolute guarantee of our eternal security in Romans 8:32-39. Don’t let anyone tell you can ever be lost again! It is not, yourself, who is keeping you secure forever, it is GOD. Then read what the Roman passage tells you, NOTHING EVER can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus. READ THEM ALL; bask in the delight of such security. 

A great Christian man in the fifth century, John Chrys-os-tom, was taken before the Roman Emperor. That emperor threatened Chrys-os-tom with everything in his power, he demanded that John reject Christianity. This is what happened:

Emperor: “I will banish you for life if you do not renounce Christ.”

Chrys-os-tom:  “Thou canst not banish me, this world  is my Father’s house.”

Emperor: “I will slay thee.”

Chrys-os-tom: “Nay, thou canst not, for my life is hid in Christ Jesus.”

Emperor: “I will take away all your treasures.”

Chrys-os-tom: “Nay, you cannot, for my treasures are all in heaven and my heart is there also.”

Emperor: “Renounce Christ or I will drive away all your friends and thou shalt be alone.”

Chrys-os-tom: “Nay, you canst not, for I have a Friend with me and in Heaven Whom you canst never separate me from. I defy thee; for there is nothing thou canst do to hurt me!”

 So it is with us – nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Rom.8: 35, 37-39.

 TIME IS RUSHING AWAY – ARE YOU SAVED, READER?

 When as a child he laughed and wept – time crept; 

Then as a young man’s life began  - time ran; 

And as a middle-aged man he grew – time flew; 

Now, as an old man he moves on  – time is gone! 

Shall Christ have saved his soul by then? – Amen!

APPENDIX: I

 THE THEOLOGY OF ADOPTION.

 Defined – the word literally means “the placing of a son.” Adoption logically follows regeneration. Regeneration gives one his nature as a child of God, whereas adoption gives him his position as a son of God (Romans 8;15-23; Gal. 4:4-6; Eph. 1:5; 11 Cor. 6:18).

 Contrasted – how spiritual adoption differs from civil adoption.

(a)    We never adopt our own children, but God never adopts any other than His own.

(b)   Civil adoption provides comfort for the childless, but God had a beloved Son (Matt. 3:17; 17:5 prior to adopting us!

(c)    There are usually many pleasing characteristics in a civil-adopted child, but not in God’s children prior to their adoption (Rom. 3:10-18).

(d)   Civil adoption could never give a child the same nature of the Father, but God’s adopted are given the very mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16).

(e)    In some cases, civil adoption could be declared null and void, but God’s adopted are absolutely secure.

 Compared – how spiritual adoption compares with civil adoption:

(f)     The Father must begin the action leading to adoption (Isa. 1:18; Jn 3:16).

(g)    Both adoptions give an inheritance to one who previously had none (Rom. 8:17; 1 Pet. 1:1-9).

(h)    Both adoptions provide a new name (Rev. 2:17; Jn 1:42).

 The Trinity in Adoption:

(a)    There is an intimacy toward the father. “Whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Rom. 8:15). This is a very personal name for one’s Father. Only Jesus himself had used this until now (see Mk. 14:36; Mt. 26:42.)

(b)   There is an illumination by the Spirit. He both leads us (Rom. 8:14) and assures us that we are indeed God’s real children! (Rom. 8:16).

(c)    There is an inheritance with the Son, as we are God’s children now. We are God’s heirs with His Begotten Son. “Joint heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:17; see also Heb. 2:11).

( Willmington’s Guide to the Bible. p.p.456, 457).

APPENDIX: II

 WHY NOT CALL HOME TO YOUR FATHER WHO LOVES YOU.

CALL OFTEN, HE WANTS TO SPEAK TO YOU AND KEEP IN TOUCH!

A HANDY REFERENCE LIST OF EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS:

When in sorrow.....................................           call John 14
When men fail you.................................           call Psalm 27
When you have sinned..............................        call Psalm 51
When you worry.............................                  call Matthew 6:19-34
When you are in danger............................        call Psalm 91
When God seems far away..........................     call Psalm 139
When your faith needs stirring..................         call Hebrews 11
When you are lonely and fearful...................     call Psalm 23
When you grow bitter and critical......... ...........call I Corinthians 13
When you feel down and out.....................        call Romans 8:31
When you want peace and rest..............           call Matthew 11:25-30
When the world seems bigger than God.............call Psalm 90
When you want Christian assurance............      call Romans 8:1-30
When you leave home for labor or travel...........call Psalm 121
When your prayers grow narrow or selfish.........call Psalm 67
When you want courage for a task....................call Joshua 1
When you think of investments and returns........call Mark 10
If you are depressed..............................           call Psalm 27
If your pocketbook is empty.......................      call Psalm 37
If you are losing confidence in people....            call I Corinthians 13
If people seem unkind..............................         call John 15
If discouraged about your work...................     call Psalm 126
If self-pride/greatness takes hold................       call Psalm 19
If you want to be fruitful.........................           call John 15
For understanding of Christianity...                    call II Corinthians 5:15-19
For a great invention/opportunity................       call Isaiah 55
For how to get along with fellow men.............,,,call Romans 12
For Paul's secret to happiness..........                 call Colossians 3:12-17

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ALTERNATE NUMBERS:

For dealing with fear............................call Psalm 34:7
For security....................................call Psalm 121:3
For assurance.....................................call Mark 8:35
For reassurance................................call Psalm 145:18

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PLEASE NOTE:

Emergency numbers may be dialed direct. No operator assistance is necessary.
All lines to Heaven are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week!

Feed your....FAITH, and DOUBT will starve to death!
Only works with the King James Version!

 
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