Romans (2010)

Romans 8:28 is frequently quoted in times of suffering, but seldom broken down into specifics which give it enhanced significance in our practical understanding. This study shatters the idea of the narrow omniscience of God in strict Calvinism as applied to election, predestination, and God’s “call.” Though not all of Calvinism is the same, understand more fully the five points of Calvinism which place regeneration before belief, abolish the universality of volition, and limit response to the gospel to a predetermined, specific few. See how God’s election and call relate to His plan for those who have already believed. Place into context scripture used to support Calvinist theology to determine who are called, the nature and result of their response, and the means through which God has always drawn us.

These are some of the most widely quoted verses in scripture for comfort and for reference to the term predestination. It is essential to study them in terms of context and vocabulary. Discover the rich context that adds to the encouragement this passage brings. Understand the universally applied principle for every believer and the enhanced reality to believers who are focused on the path to spiritual maturity. See the historical baggage attached to the concept of “the called,” the application it had in the Old Testament to Israel and true meaning of the term to believers today.

Even with spiritual stability there is something inside of us that mourns viscerally under the effect of corruption of sin in the world. All of nature joins us in our inexpressible grief. Our groaning is so pervasive we cannot help but share it with God in our longing for the day we will be released from its hold. Through the yoke of our mourning, God moves us toward our destiny of glory which is the character of Jesus Christ. In this gift through suffering, God gives us hope to endure difficulties with a confident expectation of this future reality. When does the groaning end? How is it related to the First Fruits of the Spirit and the beginning of redemption? How do our prayers reach God with the full intention of HIS purpose?

Believers and nonbelievers will suffer. The difference is that believers can be elevated through their suffering. For an unbeliever, suffering begins and ends with the pain. Behind the suffering of a believer is a loving God with a plan to employ the realities of life as a test, a tool, a compass, a motivator or an encouragement to others. A review of the ten reasons why we suffer is an encouragement, not necessarily to pinpoint a specific reason, but to focus on the God behind the reasons and respond with wisdom to what His omniscience permits. Correct orientation to suffering is a means of becoming joint heirs with Christ.

Suffering is inevitable in the Devil’s world. Suffering isn’t just the agony of a catastrophic event. It includes the spectrum of difficulties in life from annoyances more evident when we’re weary, to those major assaults that wipe us out for long periods. Our response to suffering is the issue, beginning with recognition of God’s authority, encouragement and application of scripture, and possibly a change in behavior. Become familiar with the ten categories of suffering through illustrations of each in scripture. Understand that suffering isn’t always a result of sin, but in all cases it is the hand of a loving God steering a beloved child toward a course of His choosing, to exalt Himself and to protect us through righteous living in time and the expectation of incomparable glory in eternity.

Inheritance in scripture can mean inheritance of salvation as a grace gift, or inheritance as a reward for spiritual growth. See how to discern the difference based on context and vocabulary. Paul hammers the Corinthian believers for lives that were rife with sin, addressing them as carnal. Still, it is clear that Paul is writing to believers. Since believers already have the inheritance of salvation, what inheritance is Paul talking about when he says the unrighteous shall not inherit? Clarify this important distinction which is often ignored to incorrectly illustrate salvation by works. What does Paul say about lawsuits brought by Christians? How does he bring eschatology into an answer which is frequently misunderstood?

Fundamental error can creep into scripture boldly, or, as in the interpretation of our passage, on the basis of punctuation alone. Our discussion in Romans concerns believers and the distinction between adoption as children and heirship as sons. As children of God at salvation, by grace, we are all adopted into the family of God as heirs of eternal life with potential for becoming heirs as sons. Because of choice inherent in the word potential, not all will become heirs as sons. Being heirs as sons and joint heirs with Christ requires a choice to pursue spiritual maturity and possible cultural anathema through obedience to Christ. This persistent pursuit results in intimacy with God in time and rewards in eternity. This study details the difference this choice creates among believers and the result it has in time and eternity.

In Romans 8:13 we’re told that if we live according to the flesh we must die. Is this eternal death? What are the choices believers make that result in spiritual maturity and life? Is one who proclaims “Jesus' words” while consistently walking in the flesh someone God recognizes as a mature son? Is there a difference in being adopted as a son and inheriting, and between being a child of God and a son of God? How is it that our inheritance, which God has set aside for us, can be thrown into the Lake of Fire? Understand the historical background of adoption and its doctrinal significance as it applies to the Greek and Roman ideas of adoption. Paul will expand on these ideas to show the privileges and obligations of being sons.

Is it true that the sin nature is just as powerful in the believer as in the unbeliever? According to different theologies, a “big” sin either makes you lose your salvation, or, if you commit one, you were never saved in the first place. Is there truth in either? See the two types of believers in Romans 8 who are conflicted between the Spirit and the flesh. How do they succeed or fail? When Paul teaches the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, is that indwelling applied to a corporate body, the Church, or does it apply to the individual believer? Learn the difference between permanent sanctification in “indwelling” and temporal volition in “filling.” Were believers in the Old Testament ever permanently indwelt by the Holy Spirit? What were the conditions of their “filling?”

Context is the key to interpreting Romans 8. Romans 6, 7 and 8 are about how the justified live. Paul uses “flesh” in ways that suggest the location of the corruption of sin is in the body, not the soul. In a similar passage (Galatians 5), as in our passage, the requirement of the Law is love (the basis of all virtues of the Spirit), which is fulfilled in us only as we walk according to the Spirit. For believers, there is a war within between flesh and Spirit. For unbelievers there is no war, only the flesh. That’s one way we know Paul is talking to believers. Unlike Old Testament believers, we are given the power to choose which we will serve. The flesh is a death-like existence in life; the Spirit is life and peace. We are slaves to the one we obey.