Romans 8 - 11.21.23
Scripture: Romans 8:38 – 39: 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.
Observation: This scripture uses every reference possible to explain the depth of God’s love for us. Paul writes to assure us and encourage us that none of these things can separate us from God’s love:
· Death or life
· Angels or demons
· The present or future
· Powers on this earth
· Height or depth (anything above or below the earth)
· Nothing in creation
Application: God’s love is immeasurable! There’s nothing you can do to change his love for you. You can’t increase or decrease his love for you. Maybe your sin will change God’s love for you? That’s not possible! Romans 8:8 says “But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” What great love God has for us!
When I think about God’s love for me, in this verse and others, I can’t help but love him even more. I can also love others - even those that might be hard to love in the moment - because of God’s love in me. In 1 Peter 4:8, Peter writes to encourage us by saying “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” His love, the foundation of our faith, can uplift, encourage, and empower us to be more like Christ in our day-to-day life.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your love. Thank you for loving us so much that you sent your son to die on the cross for our sins. I’m so thankful there is nothing that can separate us from your love. Help me to show your love to others around me. I want to be a light and a reflection of your deep love for others. In Jesus name!
- Mary Oberg
Romans 7 - 11.20.23
Scripture
Romans 7:21-25a NIV
“So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!“
Observation-What does it say?
Here is a breakdown of this chapter based on Matthew Henry’s commentary on Christianity.com
Believers are united to Christ in order to produce fruit for God (vss.1-6).
The use and excellence of the law (vss. 7-13).
The spiritual conflicts between corruption and grace on a believer (vss. 14-25).
Basically, we cannot deliver ourselves from our sin nature! Only Jesus Christ can redeem and deliver us from sin. We are completely dependent on Christ for deliverance from sin.
Application-How can this apply to my life?
Admit our need and complete dependency on Christ for salvation and deliverance from sin. Point others to Christ not with our good works (which are filthy rags-Isaiah 64:6), but rather the work He did on the Cross for me and you.
Also, I want to point out that this chapter shows that it is possible to leave a life of sin behind, not to continue in it. We cannot use Paul’s words as an excuse to sin. Paul mentioned back in Romans 3:31, “Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.” Although we still get tempted and will never reach perfection until we get our glorified bodies in heaven, sin no longer has mastery over us if we are in Christ. When we admit defeat (in our flesh) and wholly surrender to Him and His will, we find deliverance.
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank you for delivering me from my bondage to sin. Thank you that I no longer have to be a slave to it! You are worth more than the momentary pleasures that sin has to offer and I definitely don’t desire its consequences. I confess that I am powerless to defeat it without You. When tempted, help me Holy Spirit to put up boundaries, flee and take refuge in You alone. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
Romans 6 - 11.17.23
Scripture: Romans 6:22-23
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap is holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Observation:
I have read, quoted and heard sermons on verse 23 most of my life. However, this morning a couple new things stood out in the contrast between being a slave to sin and a slave to God.
Being a slave to God sets you free - Huh? We are free from the sin that entangles us and keeps us from all God has created us to be. Also, the employee benefit terms caught my eye. “The benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.” God’s benefits are the best and what a retirement plan!
Lastly, the contrast of the wages of sin to the gift of God. Sin has us working hard trying to do, do, do. God has an incredible gift for us and the price was already paid by Jesus on the cross.
Application:
I want to live my life knowing God is my master. He has such a wonderful plan. I have a hope and future and can become more holy as I serve Him and can look forward to eternal life.
Praying:
Lord, as I go through this day and every day. May I be cognizant that I am working for you. You will provide what I need. May I also look to see who needs to be set free from sin and receive God’s gift. Amen
- Cindy Howard