Romans - Chapter 8 (part 1)

Romans 8:1-17

Craig was quick to point out that this Chapter is about the Holy Spirit.  The role of the Holy Spirit in our sanctification and how Paul describes that role.

The Work of the Trinity
God the Father - in creation
God the Son - in salvation
God the Holy Spirit - in sanctification

Right away in verse 1 & 2, Paul talks about our lifes through the power of the Holy Spirit. "Therefore, there is now no condemnaton for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death."

Sin will always be a battle for us - on this journey we will always be dealing with our sin nature, but because we have the Holy Spirit sin does not reign in us any longer.  Paul mentioned this concept of sin no longer reigning in us back in Chapter 6 and now he is showing us how the Holy Spirit is now in control.  "You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ" - vs. 9.

It is encouraging for me to know that the Holy Spirit that was with Christ on earth, is now with us.  Unfortunately I still struggle with giving him control allowing him to live through instead of me.

The last point I want to leave you with is this concept of adoption.  Paul mentions in Chapter 8 that we are now heirs of God.  We have been adopted by God through Christ (some versions say sonship).  Verse 15 says "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, Abba Father."  Craig explained to us that in Roman law they would actually have an adoption cermony for their own children.   And until that point a child would not inherit any of the Fathers wealth.  Once the adoption ceremony took place and they became adopted sons, the son now could not loose his inheritance because he was adopted.  We have been adopted by Jesus Christ, for us Americans that does not seem like a big deal, but after hearing what that meant to a Roman - it speaks volumes of what Paul was trying to communicate.   We are now heirs to God thrown.  We have an inheritance.  But as Paul says "indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

As Christians we will suffer.