Scripture:
Romans 8:26-39 NKJV
[26] Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. [27] Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. [28] And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. [29] For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. [30] Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. [31] What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? [33] Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. [34] Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? [36] As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” [37] Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. [38] For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, [39] nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Observation:
The letter to the Roman was written by the apostle Paul to the church in Rome. The purpose of it was to spell out the plan of salvation in a way that could be understood by anyone. It speaks of GOD’S grace in a clear concise manner that taken in its entirety can not be mistaken or misunderstood. Paul approaches this topic with the kind of analytical determination that can only be driven by one force, the one true GOD who created all things and is in all things. A GOD who is so far beyond our comprehension that you could spend a lifetime trying to figure out and still barely scratch the surface of who HE truly is. HIS grace and mercy extends just far enough past what we know. That it eludes our comprehension. It’s so extravagant and so far beyond what we can comprehend that one of the greatest minds of that time wrote a letter that eventually got divided into 16 chapters and a total of over 433 verses so that we would be able to understand it better. Yet it still seems to evade our human minds. In fact I’m convinced that the only way to truly start to understand it is through a personal relationship with the one who created us. I have spent the last 15 years of my life trying to figure out just how deep all this goes, and I’m still left in awe and amazement on a regular basis. Chapter 8 in this letter that Paul wrote is one that still leaves me breathless regularly. When I read about the intercession of the Holy Spirit and how GOD knows us better than we know ourselves. HE knows exactly what we need, and in HIS infinite wisdom HE gave us the Spirit of truth to intercede for us with groanings that are beyond our comprehension. That is only the beginning of what we are trying to explain and express this morning through a few short verses written a few thousand years ago. GOD’S inspired word runs so deep that for anyone to truly say that they totally understand HIM would put them in a very dangerous place. Because as we continue to read what Paul has written we see that GOD searches our hearts as HE intercedes for us so that we will experience HIS will for our lives. GOD’S understanding of us will always be far beyond our understanding of HIM. HE knows exactly what it’s going to take to get us to search for HIM. As Paul continues to teach us who HE is we come across some verses that begin to explain just how much more GOD knows about us than we know about HIM. Romans chapter 8 and verses 28 through 30 are some of the verses GOD used to begin changing my life, HE knows exactly what it’s going to take to get us to look up rather than looking out. What HE is telling us is everything that we face has a purpose in GOD’S plan; it’s all part of the greater good; He has predestined us to be conformed to the image of HIS SON. As we look at that statement and dissect it, what does it say? What is the image that Jesus Christ had? We can find it in some of HIS very own words. HIS character and likeness was that of GOD the Fathers, HE said, “If you have seen me you have seen the Father.” Verses 31 through 36 proclaim the deepest picture of GOD’S grace and mercy that I have ever had the opportunity to read. It removes all the fear of how we view GOD and begins to explain what it truly means to be conformed to the image of Christ. Not one thing in the life of Jesus brought HIM separation from GOD with only one exception when HE became the sacrifice and took the penalty for our sin, putting grace in its place. The question that is asked in verse 33 is powerful, “Who can bring a charge against GOD’S elect? It is GOD who justifies. I believe what is being done here is the picture of GOD that a lot of us have as we read the Old Testament is being refined. Christ has paid the price for all sin. Even though HE had never sinned, HE became sin, so that we could approach GOD with confidence, knowing that HE would intercede on our behalf. The picture that this paints is so extravagant. The way GOD draws us to HIM is not through condemnation, but grace and mercy. Nothing can separate us from HIS great love, not even death. In fact that’s when we will fully understand the depth of what HE has done. As we continue to read, what Paul is doing is explaining the sanctification process. Verse 37 brings everything in to the picture, “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through HIM who loved us. The action that Christ pushed through changed everything. HE took what we deserved so that nothing could ever separate is from being able to enter into GOD’S grace with the kind of bold fearless understanding that it’s GOD’S love that has completed the work.
Application:
I remember how all this started and how the road has not been completely straight every since I have surrendered to the call of GOD on my life. There has been pressure added in some areas and pressure taken away in others. Thanking back over the process, I see the potter’s vessels taking shape. The crucible of life doing exactly what its supposed to. Everything happens in GOD’S great plan for a reason. You see I knew I was called shortly after I surrendered, and even though I thought I was ready there was a lot of changing that needed to take place. To tell the truth i hope I never see myself as ready, because that would take away my reliance on GOD. HE knows our heart HE searches them, and has sat wonderful way of applying pressure at the exact moment that its needed with just enough water to bring out the shape that HE has seen beforehand. I stepped into ministry shortly after I got saved. What I need to say about that is there has been a lot of mistakes made, and honestly I’m sure there are more to come. once you know and have established that fact that GOD has called you what you need to understand is that HE doesn’t not give up. After stepping into ministry. I gave into addiction again. The crazy thing is even though I was not doing what I know GOD wanted me to HE never stopped HIS pursuing me. HE shaped me through all of it, I knew HE would not leave me. Through my experience of drug addiction and homelessness HE placed not only a burden on my heart but exposed the ministry that HE had always intended for me to be involved in. Looking back I see it much like the story of Moses. He was sent down the river as a child to be plucked out of the water by the Pharaoh’s daughter. This all happened as part of GOD’S great plan to place a burden on his heart for the Hebrew people. All things work for good for those who love GOD and are called according to HIS purpose. Maybe GOD has placed a burden on your heart. Maybe GOD has allowed you to face some things that were difficult to overcome, but through HIS grace and mercy you have found a way to the other side of it. What I know is that there is mo mistake in everything that you have been through. GOD is shaping you for HIS glory. Every bit of pressure you feel is bringing about a usable vessel. We are all being conformed to HIS image. Life is a crucible, a potters wheel. Shaping and reshaping for HIS uses. As we complete one task that HE has for us another task is already at hand. With every new level there is a new trial that will bring about the character that HE is bringing out in you. Until HE looks to see HIS reflection in the puddle of precious mettle that HE has brought to a liquid state to pull all the impurities out of. Being conformed to HIS image is not something that happens over night. Its a life long process. The only time you really understand is when HE calls you home and you stand before HIM l9oking at the screenplay of your life seeing all the things HE was right there with you on that you never even knew it. I want t I tell you that nothing can separate you from the love of GOD that is found in Christ Jesus. Truth and grace equal love. The truth of GOD’S unending love has brought you to where you are right now. Allow that truth to shape how you move forward. I have made so many mistakes, but GOD has never given up on me. In fact HE uses my mistakes to do what only HE can. Everything that the enemy has intended to use for evil GOD has turned around for good. Its in my weakness that the power of HIS grace is found. You can not earn salvation. All you can do is continue to work out your own. I pray for only one statement, “Well done my good and faithful servant now enter into my rest.”
Prayer:
Father, im not sure why you brought me to say these things this morning. Only you know that. What I do know is that I have been obedient to what you have asked me to say. Its up to you from here. All I can ask is that you take this SOAP and do what only you can do. Sanctify us in the mighty name of Jesus. Use our story to bring others to the foot of the cross. Ever hard lesson and victorious moment. We know that you have a plan for. A plan to put us at the right place at the right time so that others will see exactly who you are through our lives. Let us be a living reflection of you. Its in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.