Chico Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“God’s Marvelous Love”
For the past several weeks we have been hearing about Afganis switching sides and defecting to the Northern Army. Why not? Look who is backing them! It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who has the most rockets. Paul spent the first two and a half chapters of his letter cataloging crimes against the righteous King whose anger has been stirred.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, Romans 1:18
We have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; Romans 3:9
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23
Until you appreciate the gravity of your sin against God, you will never fully appreciate the absolute wonder of His offer to not only defect from the tyrannical rule of the Taliban but also become a profoundly cherished member of His household. Not only does God forgive our arrogant crimes against Him and expunge our pathetic profile, but he also credits us with deeds we did not even accomplish but were accomplished by His perfect son. Just as Abraham believed that what God promised to do He would do and God credited his belief as righteousness…
…so righteousness will be credited to us as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. (Romans 4:24-25)
This great work is called justification. On the basis of this work, God opens the floodgates of blessing in the life of the believer. Starting in chapter five and running all the way to chapter eight, Paul touches on numerous spiritual blessings as a result of justification. What began in gloom ends in glory. What started out hopeless ends with deep conviction and anticipation of a glorious future! What opened with screams of doom ends with shouts of delight.
Chapter 8 concludes a long series of wonderful blessings resulting from justification.
NEW VICTORY IN JESUS THROUGH THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. The Holy Spirit eliminates condemnation for those in Christ
2. The Holy Spirit establishes His new life in our spirit
3. The Holy Spirit ensures our complete deliverance
4. The Holy Spirit enables us to put to death the works of the flesh and emulate the father’s nature.
5. The Holy Spirit echoes our sonship
6. The Holy Spirit encourages us in the midst of misery
The unseen reality becomes the eternal reality. We see now only through a foggy windshield on the road of life. When it comes to experience of the promise, we don’t always see or feel it very distinctly. Yet the Holy Spirit keeps our future hope alive and vital. He encourages us to endure the present fight in light of a glorious future. He provides glimpses today of what we hope and groan for tomorrow. He Himself is a brief present taste of what spiritual life will be in the future. There is an inner groaning now – a longing for what God designed but can’t have till later. There is a groaning and longing to live in unimpeded community with God and each other. Sometimes in our deepest longing, the darkness feels even darker and the silent God becomes even more silent. In the midst of rejection, pain, mystery, confusion, ridicule, broken dreams, Divine silence, relational turbulence, or career collapse we sometimes reach for whatever prescription we have found most quickly numbs the pain. God longs to relate with us on a much deeper level. He wants to be our number one pursuit no matter what it takes. It is in those times of piercing silence that often God accomplishes some of His most profound work both in us and in those around us. Even while Jesus screamed in anguish on the cross because of the silence of heaven, the plan for redeeming you and I was emerging in human history. In the midst of our suffering and confusion the Holy Spirit draws our attention to the reality and wonder of our glorious future so that we, along with Paul, can cry…
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 8:18
Not only does the Holy Spirit provide brief glimpses of a future glorious existence but also He continually intercedes in the present with the Father on our behalf when we are too confused to even know how to pray or what to pray for.
7. The Holy Spirit edits our prayers in the midst of weakness.
How much more can we ask? Paul confirms that Jesus continually intercedes for us. (vs. 34 & Hebrews 7:25) The Holy Spirit continually intercedes for us according to the will of God. He groans along with us. When we pray for physical healing so that we can escape the discomfort of physical infirmity, the Holy Spirit prays for deeper intimacy with God through the illness. When we pray for God to give us a spouse, the Holy Spirit prays that we will deepen our relationship with Him so that we can become the partner God meant us to be. When we pray for happiness, the Holy Spirit prays for the holiness that will bring true happiness. When we pray to win the lottery so that we will never have to struggle financially, the Holy Spirit asks for financial difficulty so that we learn not to trust in the uncertainty of riches rather than Him to supply what we need, no less, no more. We cry for God to answer our pleading for the things we think will bring happiness and the Holy Spirit prays for silence so that we might confront the things that stand in the way of deepening our relationship with Him. The Holy Spirit is committed to intercede according to the will of God. What is God’s will for us? Paul assures us it is good!
The Holy Spirit prays according to God’s will… What about God’s will?
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
Paul is saying that we know intuitively that God’s will has to do with working everything for good. The perfect tense verb indicates that we know at a point in time and still have an inner assurance of God’s good intentions for us. What is God doing? God is continually working or orchestrating EVERTHING to a beneficial end. Not periodically but it is His constant activity to weave even the woes of this life into something good.
“Good” refers not to things beautiful or appealing but that which is intrinsically good, beneficial, worthy, better. Paul doesn’t’ say all things are good. Paul says that God takes the evil things of this world and utilizes them to bring about eternal benefit on behalf of a special people. God is good. God does good. Joseph understood this principle when he shared with his brothers who sold him into slavery. “You meant it for evil, God meant it for good.” Who benefits?
“The ones loving God”
“The ones being called according to God’s intent.”
By the use of present participles here, Paul pictures for us a dynamic body of individuals continually growing and continually enjoying a loving relationship with God. These are those who have been called into relationship with God and who as a result relate to God. How do we know that God orchestrates everything for the benefit of believers?
“Because/For” God has determined to lead all foreknown souls to a glorious future.
Paul succinctly tracks the divinely determined process from past foreknowledge to future glory.
For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. Romans 8:29-30
“Foreknew”
Foreknowledge in relation to the salvation process has been described as “divine active delight.” He pre-loved us.
“Predestined”
Because of that delight, God predestined that all those foreknown by Him will become just like His Son.bGod determined to create a community of people who live in harmony with Him as brothers.
“Called”
Then in time and space God calls those to himself.
“Justified”
Those called, upon the exercise of their faith in Christ, are justified.
“Glorified”
Those who are justified are as good as glorified. The initiation of this glorious process must be credited to God. The working out of the process is a mysterious interweaving of God’s work and our response.
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. Hebrews 2:10
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philip. 2:12-13
After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10
But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thes. 2:13-14
Paul was assured that God would most certainly finish what He started.
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philip. 1:6
I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Cor. 1:4-9
With the summarization of the salvation process so carefully taught from chapter one, Paul concludes this doctrinal section with a deluge of questions.
The Grand Conclusion
What shall we say to all this? After demonstrating God’s incomprehensible love for us for eight chapters, what can be said? In spite of our sin, God is for us! What can we say to the fact that Jesus took the penalty for our sin so that we might be reconciled to a God we so arrogantly ignored and offended? What shall we say to the fact that because of His unselfish sacrifice, selfish people might be justified in God’s heavenly court? Having been justified, those same people are lavishly blessed with every spiritual blessing.
New peace and reconciliation with God (5:1)
Opening up whole new possibilities of relationship with God
New hope of a glorious transformation (5:2)
Providing a whole new anticipation of life here and hereafter.
New appreciation for the struggles of life (5:3-8)
Enabling a new perseverance under tribulation.
New guarantee of escape from the coming wrath (5:9)
Freeing us from fear of facing a holy God in future
New assurance of our complete salvation (5:10)
Giving us confidence in God’s work in us.
New excitement concerning our reconciliation with God (5:11)
Encouraging us to tell others and shout about our relationships with God
New heritage and connection to Christ’s righteous life (5:12-21)
Freeing us from the baggage of earthly heritage and endearing our new heritage
New identification with the death and resurrection of Christ (6:1-14)
Breaking the hold that sin and the law had and assuring resurrection life
New master (6:15-23)
Motivating us to think differently about our old ways and walk in the new ways.
New relationship to the law (7:1-13)
Freeing us from condemnation of the law to serve God in the newness of our new spirit
New Struggle against the flesh (7:14-25)
Demonstrating that God has put new desires that long to serve Him not sin.
New Victory in Jesus through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. (8:1-30)
Providing all the help we need to walk in newness of life.
What shall we say to these things? Paul answers this question with another grand question.
Since God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Romans 8:31-32
Since God is for us and did not even spare His own son but delivered Him up (handed Him over to be crucified) in order to save us…
…doesn’t it follow that He will most certainly along with such a precious gift as His Son give us whatever else is truly good?
Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 1 Tim. 6:17
You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:11
If God didn’t withhold the most precious thing in the universe to reconcile with us His creatures, it naturally follows that anything else that could benefit us would be freely given. Paul spent 8 chapters demonstrating that God is most definitely “for” us or “over” us. Since that is true, who dare be “against” us or “down on” us? Paul then explores some of the possibilities that come immediately to mind.
This is one of the most profound and soul-charging passages in all of Scripture. Let it refresh your spirit and flood your soul this morning. Man’s deepest longing is to love and be loved. Here Paul confirms a love that truly NEVER fails!
• No Charges
Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; Romans 8:33
He talked about those who were foreknown and being called earlier. Since God is the ultimate judge and He has declared us not guilty, any charge brought by anyone else has no eternal validity. The Supreme Judge is the only one that matters.
• No Condemnation
who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Romans 8:34
There is no condemnation because Jesus Christ died and rose again and ever lives to make intercession for us.
"He who believes in Him is not condemned; he who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:18
Don’t ever think that you have no one praying for you. You always have the Holy Spirit and you always have Jesus interceding!
• No separation from Christ’s love
Who will separate us from the love of Christ?
“Separate” This word is used twice here in this passage. Once in the beginning question and once in the confident answer. This is a term used in conjunction with committed relationships. Matt 19:6 1 Cor. 7:10 Philemon 1:15
Who will break the committed love relationship between Christ and us? Who or what will cause a divorce? Paul elaborates this question a great deal before he answers.
First, by expanding on some possible critical circumstances of life.
Will tribulation (external affliction) , or distress (internal affliction), or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Just as it is written,
"For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 8:35-36
Like sheep slated for slaughter, believers face a multitude of threatening circumstances.
Paul had already suffered all of these but death and would face that too. Many of these things may threaten the committed love in a normal marriage relationship but none of them can or will ever cause Christ to divorce us. None of them can block His continual demonstration of love for us.
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37
In spite of all these things, we overwhelmingly conquer through Christ who demonstrated His love once and for all on the cross. Because of Christ, we experience more than victory in spite of the multitude of maladies and miseries the enemy may throw at us. It is more than victory because no matter how bad it seems, God uses it for good. We can’t lose. We don’t just survive; there is a sense of overwhelming victory in spite of the horrible events of which seem to saturate this fallen world. Paul not only affirms no comparison between present sufferings and future glory but actually glories, boasts, exults in tribulation knowing that they provide the opportunity to even more deeply experience the love of Christ which surpasses human understanding. Paul next boldly and directly answers the question concerning who or what can break our love relationship with Christ.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 8:38-39
In other words, NOTHING! Paul was convinced that NOTHING could separate us from Christ’s love.
“convinced” = persuade, convince, affect” Paul used a perfect tense verb indicating the fact that he became convinced at a particular point in time and that conviction was still as strong. Jesus assured His disciples of continued protection.
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. John 10:27-29
The emphasis before was on circumstances. Here, Paul catalogs not only circumstances but other beings as well. Death won’t change things.
For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. Romans 14:7-9
Life with all its distractions will not cause the author and perfecter of faith to stop loving us. The angelic realm, either elect or evil, can’t deter His love for us. Present reality or future prospect will not block eternal love. Since love is eternal time has no power to thwart it. Neither earthly nor heavenly powers will dissuade His love. No heavenly messenger or earthly monarch can prevent divine passion for us. Or he could intend a reference to geography – no distance can diminish his love. The point is abundantly clear! NO created thing can cause Christ to divorce His beloved bride or stop loving her. That leaves only God and it has already been sufficiently determined that God is FOR us. And since God is for us, NO ONE or NO THING can be against us or separate us from Him. There is no other love like that in the universe. Whether we feel it or even understand it does not change the fact of its existence. God graphically demonstrated His love through the sacrifice of His own Son. God flooded our heart with His love by the Holy Spirit.
Paul prayed that we come to know such love for us and through us more deeply.
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Ephes. 3:14-19
Understanding such grand love for us and through us is the final turn in our journey toward experiencing the fullness of God Himself because God is love.
What can we say to these things?
Since God is for us – no one or no thing can stand against us!
Hallelujah!
Thank You!
Praise God!
Fill me!
Use me!
Study/Application Guide
The following are some suggestions for remembering and applying the truths from this message.
Remember
Review once again the seven ministries of the Holy Spirit mentioned over the last several weeks. Think through each one and ask God to make them more real in your experience.
• Try listing out all the questions in this passage as a review. Think a bit about the questions he didn’t ask. Is there some significance in the way Paul asked the questions?
Apply
• Read 1 Corinthians 13 in light of the Romans 8. This describes the kind of love that Jesus has for us. List each characteristic and remind yourself that this is how Jesus loves you specifically, all the time. Beside you characteristic list its opposite. I.e. Love is kind – love is unkind.
• Take each of the verses included in the notes (3-4) regarding God’s work in our salvation and write them out. Meditate on the truths taught there by focusing on God’s part and our part in salvation. Who (according to these passages) takes the heaviest responsibility for our journey to glory?
• Back to the questions Paul asks. Are these questions you struggle with?
Who brings a charge? Are you letting Satan accuse you?
Who condemns? Are you listening to the enemies condemning thoughts?
Who or what separates us from His love for us? There are things that affect our love for Him but we are assured that NO THING or NO ONE can separate us.
• Try reading Romans 8 at least once each day this week.
• Spend the week thinking about how God has turned what seemed to be bad into something good.
• Remember, God turns everything into a piece of our journey to glory.
• At least once a day stop to think about God’s love for you.
Study Further
• Try turning Romans eight into a poem. I have one written by William Hendrikson I will share later.
• Read through 1 John 3-4 and write down everything you discover it says about God’s love.
