Romans 8:18-21 (NIV)
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.
20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope
21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
When we as humans receive our ultimate liberation, then all will be set free. When we sin it never just affects us, there are always others involved. Adam and Eve sinned and the whole creation was rocked!! Paul uses some unusual language to help us understand how intertwined our lives are with creation. Did you notice? "The creation itself waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed." Paul gives life to this called creation. I do not advocate a new age type "energy" however, Paul is using human attributes to describe what is going on in this place called earth. God made this place and the Lord loves it all, and is redeeming all of it. Yes, God loves us more and gave His Son to reconcile us to Himself. The benefit though is to all creation. When we sin it affects others, on the positive side when we do deeds of righteousness that also affects others. We must wait along with creation in eager anticipation for Christ's coming to gather us unto Himself and rescue the whole place.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Romans 8:15-17 (NIV)
15 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."
16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.
17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
We have exchanged the spirit of fear and bondage for the Spirit of freedom and sonship!! Paul wrote Timothy and said, " For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2nd Timothy 1:7 Our true freedom comes from our being reconciled to our Maker and Savior, God Almighty. We call this God, Father! It is unbelievable that we are encouraged to dive deep into our Lord and to be on such familiar terms with this God that we are to cry out "Papa!" We are called God's children. We were once children of darkness and served that kingdom, but because of the grace of God we are now children of light. Know this, that it is God who brings us the inheritance thing and not ourselves or each other. God gives us all things just as He gives all things freely to His Son Jesus Christ. Yes, God treats us just like His Son Jesus Christ. This is phenomenal stuff and we should stop and give thanks to God. Amen? AMEN!
God carries your picture in his wallet.
Tony Campolo
15 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."
16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.
17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
We have exchanged the spirit of fear and bondage for the Spirit of freedom and sonship!! Paul wrote Timothy and said, " For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2nd Timothy 1:7 Our true freedom comes from our being reconciled to our Maker and Savior, God Almighty. We call this God, Father! It is unbelievable that we are encouraged to dive deep into our Lord and to be on such familiar terms with this God that we are to cry out "Papa!" We are called God's children. We were once children of darkness and served that kingdom, but because of the grace of God we are now children of light. Know this, that it is God who brings us the inheritance thing and not ourselves or each other. God gives us all things just as He gives all things freely to His Son Jesus Christ. Yes, God treats us just like His Son Jesus Christ. This is phenomenal stuff and we should stop and give thanks to God. Amen? AMEN!
God carries your picture in his wallet.
Tony Campolo
Monday, May 17, 2010
Romans 8:5-8 (NIV)
5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;
7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.
8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
I would encourage you to read the book by John Stott on Romans. Romans chapter 8 is a filled with tremendous truths about our walk with the God. It is one of the premiere chapters on our walk in the Spirit.
If I am counting correctly, Paul uses the word 'mind' in these 4 verses, no less than 5 times. Paul is wanting us to mind our P's and Q's. Our mindset is so important in anything we do. When we go to work our mindset can be one of disdain or we can take our work as a challenge and ask God to help us make it a ministry. If a believer still has the mindset that their life is their own then the results for that believers life will be radically different than those of a believer who has the mindset of surrender to the Lord and His Spirit. This mindset principle works in sports, family, marriage, and and yes the church's life. Our mind as a believer is to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. What does a person look like that has their mind controlled by the living Spirit of God? How does a person whose mind is controlled by the Holy Spirit behave in life? There is only one way to please God and that is to be controlled by God's Holy Spirit.
The Spirit’s control will replace sin’s control. His power is greater than the power of all your sin.
Erwin W. Lutzer (1941– )
5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;
7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.
8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
I would encourage you to read the book by John Stott on Romans. Romans chapter 8 is a filled with tremendous truths about our walk with the God. It is one of the premiere chapters on our walk in the Spirit.
If I am counting correctly, Paul uses the word 'mind' in these 4 verses, no less than 5 times. Paul is wanting us to mind our P's and Q's. Our mindset is so important in anything we do. When we go to work our mindset can be one of disdain or we can take our work as a challenge and ask God to help us make it a ministry. If a believer still has the mindset that their life is their own then the results for that believers life will be radically different than those of a believer who has the mindset of surrender to the Lord and His Spirit. This mindset principle works in sports, family, marriage, and and yes the church's life. Our mind as a believer is to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. What does a person look like that has their mind controlled by the living Spirit of God? How does a person whose mind is controlled by the Holy Spirit behave in life? There is only one way to please God and that is to be controlled by God's Holy Spirit.
The Spirit’s control will replace sin’s control. His power is greater than the power of all your sin.
Erwin W. Lutzer (1941– )
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