Scripture Applied

Have you ever had a Romans 8:26 moment when you didn’t know what to pray? It’s that moment in life when you need help, but you don’t know what to do—whether you should quit that job or take that job; if you should ask that girl to marry you or not. You don’t know what to pray about your cancer diagnosis—whether you should be crying out to God for patience or deliverance. Here’s the good news: when we don’t know what to pray, the “Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26). So, relax. Be patient, for God prays better than we do. His Spirit helps us in our weakness and pleads our cause. 

As Christians, our role in the church amounts to more than just “follow your heart.” We have gospel duties to fulfill, and in Romans 1:8-17, the Apostle Paul gives us a powerful template to follow. First, he was thankful, despite the church in Rome being immature and imperfect. Second, he was prayerfully scheming of ways to minister to them more. Third, he was desirous to impart a spiritual blessing to them. Fourth, he was resolved to obtain fruit for their benefit. Fifth, he was large-hearted to all. Sixth, he was determined to preach the gospel. And, seventh, he wasn’t ashamed of the gospel. This window into Paul’s soul should compel us to pursue the Great Commission the way he did. 

Justification by faith is not merely a judicial act, but it is a gift of God which brings great assurances and blessings: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:1-2). Peace with God. Access. Grace. Standing with Christ and hope in His glory. It’s present tense. It’s ongoing. It’s unstoppable. This is what justification by faith has accomplished in our lives!

Suffering is the normal experience for all mankind, yet Christians can become shaken, disheartened, and angry—and even slip into apathy and hedonism—when suffering strikes. But rather than respond in self-pity, as believers, we must understand that we’re heirs of the sufferings of Christ. Even as we’re part of a creation that was subjected to futility by God, we should groan in hope as we wait for glory. How do we do this? First, rejoice that God is in control when suffering comes. Second, set our minds on things above. And, third, trust in God’s Word, not in our emotions. This is how we make peace with our suffering. 

Is your spirit flagging? Do you feel dull and unmotivated when it comes to the things of God? Here's the reality. You are always limited by what you think and meditate on. If you’re neglecting an earnest pursuit of God’s Word and are, instead, feeding your flesh with Hollywood movies, political podcasts, and other worldly pursuits, your soul will become impoverished. To turn the tide, fervently seek God daily. In the words of J.C. Ryle, “Give your Bible the best and not the worst part of your time.” Seek the things of the Spirit and cultivate godliness. In doing this, your soul will be enriched, and you’ll reap good things.  

In Romans 8:14, Paul writes, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.” But what does it mean to be led by the Spirit? It means that God persuades you to seek what is good because He’s given you a new heart. He doesn’t force you; he gives you the desire. You’ve been born again, and now He leads you by His word. Philippians 4:8-9 gives an illustration of this: whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, “if there’s any virtue, if there’s anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things.” That’s what you do to be led by the Spirit. So make sure that you don’t fill your mind with worldly movies and songs, or senseless debates on the Internet, but be led by the Spirit in all your meditations.

Even for Christians, the temptation to sin remains an ever-present danger. Mortifying our sin is thus a battle we must earnestly wage, as John Owen wisely said, “Be killing sin, or it will be killing you!” But how do we engage this mortal enemy? The Apostle Paul gives four points of wisdom in Romans 8:13-14: First, stop paying the flesh, because you owe it nothing. Second, if you’re fighting sin, know that you’re dead to sin and alive to God. Third, do it by the Spirit—not by asceticism or personal discipline—but by the power of sanctifying grace. And if you do so, you will live! Killing sin doesn’t get you right with God; it shows that you are right with God because His justified people always bear fruit. 

In Romans 1 the Apostle Paul delights, repeatedly, in the wonder-working power of the Gospel. He rejoices in the transforming call and power of the Gospel that compelled him to be separated unto a new life and become a bondservant of Jesus Christ. He describes the continuity of the everlasting Gospel, as Jesus Christ, the Son of God was born in the flesh as the seed of David—as promised by the prophets of old. He proclaims the resurrecting power of the Gospel, which raises men from the dead. And, finally, he takes joy in the grace of the Gospel, which brings faith and obedience to the believer. His is a model to follow—as such delight should fill our mouths with praise as we share the Gospel with others!

There’s a difference between real and fake Christianity. And this litmus test, given by the Apostle Paul in Romans 8, shows where you stand. Your mind is either: (1) set on the spirit or the flesh; (2) set on life or death; and (3) subject to the law of God or in hatred to it. That’s why there’s no such thing as a “gay” or “thieving” Christian. If you’re a true believer, you will denounce such sins and put them away. You know who you are by what rules you—be it the spirit or the flesh. 

Today on social media, you can be accused, tried, condemned, and sentenced all in one day. Yet this is light compared to the devastating condemnation of Almighty God. The good news is this: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). Redeemed sinners are freed from God’s wrath and eternally secure in Him. So, if you’re a believer, praise God that nothing will be held against you when you reach the Final Judgment. Though Satan accuses you day and night, you can live in freedom, for Christ has paid your debt!