ROMANS 8 - QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Romans 8:1
If there is no condemnation, why then do we still suffer with feelings of guilt? I've asked myself repeatedly if I am walking in the flesh or the Spirit...I'm still reasoning that one.
Condemnation is the judging of wrong for the purpose of punishment in the Greek! There are 6 different words for "Judge/Condemn/Weigh" in the Greek!!! If you feel guilty you are feeling your own decision of blame which may be or not warranted. However God's opinion is what the bible gives!! That's why it says in the letters of John that "if your heart condemns you fear not for God is greater than your heart"!!!! It takes FAITH to accept what God's word says about you!!! The fourth soil in the parable of the sower says the good soil is the heart that "hears and ACCEPTS" what God's word says!!! Being productive depends on our reliance on what Gods word says and NOT what we think or feel!! Hence, the just shall LIVE by FAITH and without faith it's impossible to please God!!
The last part, you mention about knowing whether you re in the Spirit or in the flesh. Just look at the fruits as described in the bible (Galations 5:20)! You should have no problem getting that list straight then just be fruitful in the Spirit and not fruitful in the deeds of the flesh!! The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit! If your increasing in your peace, etc., Your in the right way!!
Romans 8:2
I recognize and believe that my past sins are forgiven, but I have to admit to a tough time with the concept that my present ones, whether unintentional or willful disobedience or selfish desire, are forgiven too. I sometimes feel that I am in a constant state of repentance, always asking for forgiveness for something.
That is a lack of maturity that is not your fault but of your teachers!! The bible says that "one who is not accustomed to the Word of Righteousness is only a babe"! Settling in your belief system that the accuser of the brethren no longer will walk the hallways of your mind is a decision that takes good grounding in God's word/will!!! You have to really know it's his will for you to have the "mind of Christ"!! The law of the Spirit of life is Faith that works by the love of God!!! That is also called the perfect law of liberty in James!! Also in 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5 we see that these powers and strongholds are based in our thoughts that must be taken captive to obedience of Christ!!! Our thought life is a heavenly place according to God!!!
Romans 8:3
"Weak through the flesh" Meaning that the law was based upon man's ability to be obedient to the laws...relying upon man's ability to conform to God's laws...and God realizing that we could not and would never achieve His glory sent His Son. Christ condemned sin in the flesh...does this mean that there is no more sin?
Yup! In heaven there is no more sin! On earth we see a Christian's living as if sin was still a reality because they are enslaved by their ignorance in not knowing the truth of the love of God and the price paid on the cross! Christians may make mistakes but God cannot look at them as sin! John says that he that is born of God cannot sin!!! We all, whether saved or not, reap what we sow in this life so there is good reason to not do wrong things!!! Remember Paul said "I can do all things but I will be mastered by none." Or "All things are acceptable but all things are not profitable"!!! Or "To the pure ALL things are pure!! Or "WE do not teach yes and no but Yes in Him" The challenge is to believe that what God has said about us and not what religious teaching has claimed!! God's word and way are very clear! Religion leaves room for doubt which according to James means the double minded man will receive nothing from God!!! You see why I hate these double minded teachings on righteousness that the some give!! They leave people stranded away from God because of living in a good and evil mind set and not one of FAITH!! Conditional righteousness does not exist for the believer!!! We have been given His life and righteousness!!! Hence He is the only one who can get the glory!!! We are to reckon ourselves as dead to sin and alive to Christ!
Romans 8:4
"righteous requirement"? Have we fulfilled the righteous requirement because we have believed and He has counted our belief unto to us as righteousness? We are blameless in God's eyes? Am I pure in heart? Again I question if I have been walking according to the Spirit or according to the flesh.
God fulfilled His own requirement by making us a new creation in Christ Jesus!!! He cannot unmake us!!! He has finished it once and for all!!! The adamic mind cannot receive this that's why in Romans 12:2 and Ephesians 4 God says renew your mind!!! Put on the mind of Christ as in Phillipians 3!!!
Romans 8:5
My mind, I believe, has definitely been set on things of the flesh. But I speak of God to others and I try to listen and be open to the opportunities He provides to speak of His gift of salvation...so there too my mind has been of the Spirit, or so I think...but I question myself as to whether I have just been paying Him lip service as the Pharisees did??
Love will make a way!!! Love/He never fails!!! He is the author and perfecter of your faith!! He made you for such a time as this!
Romans 8:6
I have been carnally minded in the past and present - a mind set in which there can be no life. How then do I go about shifting from carnal mindedness to Spiritual thoughts and maintain that Spiritual mind in a carnal world?
To Choose/Set/Look/Consider are all decisions we make each second! The Spiritual mind has FIXED itself onto the One whom it desires!!! Where your heart is there your treasure is also!!! Thou shall keep him in perfect peace who's mind is stayed on thee! (Isaiah)
Romans 8:7
I have been working against God's good work in me! Fighting my own Father! I cannot be carnally minded and subject to God. Spirit or flesh...I have to somehow commit to one or the other...but don't quite know how. I thought I already had.
Look at Romans 7 and see that Romans 8:1 is the conclusion of the internal struggle!! We decide if Christ has paid it all then we cannot pay it again and we ACCEPT/RECEIVE by faith what He has promised!! ETERNAL LIFE NOW!! Or what is called being born again or becoming alive spiritually/entering heavens population NOW!!! See Jesus talking to Nicodemus in John 3 and see that Jesus said He was in heaven right in front of him!! We are seated in heavenly places RIGHT NOW!
Romans 8:8
I haven't felt like I could please God because I have been walking in the flesh, concerned with things of the body, material things - and it is impossible to please God while I do so. But again I ask myself how does one put to death the wants and desires of the flesh in order to be a more faithful and committed child of God?
God gives us all things richly to enjoy! It is not the things in our lives but our priorities! Put Jesus first and all these things will also find there right place! Religion and more rules and more sin consciousness is NOT what gives direction...the law makes sin increase but the perfect law of liberty strengthens us to worship God for His love!! First because of the GOOD NEWS we respond in the strength of Joy and boom we CHOOSE the walk in the Spirit!! Love is His free gift that lifts us out of the natural realm if we will let it!!!
Romans 8:9
Does the Spirit of God dwell in me. I believe He does...but then why do I still wonder whether or not I am His?
All of us have to deal with our Adamic beginnings in our thought life!! Slowly and surely "putting away childish things" and embracing Christ!!! We all have a flesh to deal with!! But we put it under by focusing on Him not us!!!! The fact that you love and know Him concludes that He is in you!!! He's drawing you to more of His love away from your mothers house (spiritually ...the earth/flesh!!!) as in marriage!
Romans 8:10
Is Christ in me? Have I truly died to sin? As this verse indicates my body is dead to sin but my Spirit is alive.
YES!!!! L-E-T God be true and every man/Adam a liar!!!!! You LET yourself believe God and it will be so clear you'll wonder why you didn't see something so easy!!!!
Romans 8:11
"Life to our mortal bodies" After we depart physically? Will our mortal bodies be raised also? Or life as our Spirit is alive in our mortal bodies as we go through our physical lives now?
YES!!! 1 Corinthians 15 talks about being swallowed by our Spiritual body in this life! God has sooo much better than death for us!!! In Philippians in the Amplified Paul says " that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead even while in the body"!! Now Physical resurrection after the falling asleep of a saint is obvious but consider that the bible says that when "He comes we shall see Him for we shall be like He is"!!! Or that we shall all be changed at the twinkling of an eye!! What if that "twinkling" is a revelation of Him in this life!!! His appearing IN a people as the bible says!! Mortal putting on immortal!!! By His doing, His timing and His power!!!
Romans 8:12
We are not debtors to the flesh. It has no claim on us?
You have died and your life is hidden in Christ in God!!!
Romans 8:13
How does one put to death the deeds of the body? Every deed? What are they meaning by deeds...I'm a little vague on that.
The deeds of the Spirit overcome the deeds of the flesh!!! By thinking on the things lovely and true etc!! The bible says, "as a man thinks so is he"! Your mind must be renewed and accept His word about YOU!!
Romans 8:14
If I am truly led by the Spirit of God, how then can I still get angry, or sometimes be selfish in my behavior toward others?
Jesus got many bad reactions as He walked in love!!! Others hated Him!! Just have to watch Jesus's life to know that!! Get all your direction from the Holy Spirit! He's your teacher!!! Others may distract you!! Let nothing dissuade/distract you from simplicity of devotion to Christ!
Romans 8:15
Do I cry out to my Father through the Spirit? Am I still in bondage of fear? Do I feel as if I have received the Spirit of adoption as indicated in v.23 also...to the redemption of our bodies...???
Adoption is a simple word for a beginning relationship with Jesus! For you have also been married to Christ! One flesh!! His body!! His glory in the earth!!! Yes us!!!PTL!! We ARE SONS OF GOD!
Romans 8:16
Our spirit and the Spirit are separate?
Identity of different beginnings with the same end!! We will always be individuals in His oneness!!!! i.e..Man and Wife!!! See the end of Ephesians, fourth mystery of Christ and the church!!!
Romans 8:17
Suffer with Him? Because we continue to suffer the guilt of our sins are we considered to be suffering with Him, and if so is the suffering we are suffering in order to yield that riches of Heaven? If we don't suffer for our faith, do we lose that inheritance..?
NO!!!! NOT GUILT!! FAITH!! We suffer in our faith believing for what we do not completely see!!! YOUR guilt will separate you from God because your not trusting His blood!!! His atonement!! His LIFE!!! All who desire to lead a godly life in Christ will be persecuted!!! Inside or outside we all suffer when we believe what we do not see but we all will get that which we are waiting for as faith and patience work together!!! When Jesus returns it will be without reference to sin it says in Hebrews!! He paid the price for all of us forever!!!
Romans 8:18
Note: His glory is inexpressible in human terms.
Christ in you the hope of glory!!! It is His glory as He is going to be revealed IN us!!! To the world!!!! Look at this verse in several translations esp..Amplified!!!That's why we're still on the earth to give Him glory!! That the Father may be glorified in the Son!! By His Bride/us/church/sons of God!!! You see the bible says that the bride is the glory of her husband!! This is the time of the latter rain!!
Romans 8:19
As children of God, we look forward to Heaven.
No mention of heaven here!!!! ALL creation is waiting for GOD TO BE REVEALED IN A PEOPLE!!!! We are the son's of God but it has not yet appeared what we are in Him!! But we will be like Him as we see Him!!!
Right now in this life at this time God wants His Son to be seen in a people that it may be declared that it is finished!!! Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father and cannot come here until all of His enemies are made footstool for His feet!! Psalm 110!! See Psalm 8:2 as well! This season of time the third thousandth year (or third day!)since Jesus raised from the dead!! He will be seen in a people as prophesied!! The earth is waiting for the revelation of the son's of God not for Jesus return!!! First...God will use us to glorify His Son!!!! GLORY!!! Then when Jesus returns He comes for a bride spotless without blemish just like Himself!!! We must overcome before he comes it says that 8 times in the book of Revelations! That we might reign with Him!!
Romans 8:20
We were subjected to futility, unwillingly. He has subjected us in the hope that we would see the greatness of our sins and turn to Him for help and salvation?
He made the whole plan!!! Jesus is the Lamb slain since BEFORE the foundation of the world!! God planned the fall!! More on this another time!!
Romans 8:21
"because the creation itself will also be delivered," is this talking about the unsaved of creation, that they too will be freed from the corruption(decay) of this life and share in the liberty with the children of God?
Again the Sons of God are mentioned as one body in freedom!!! That is the goal of creation!! God is going to use us soon!!!! His time!!
Romans 8:22
This would indicate that we, the saved, along with the unsaved are all in a constant state of suffering in hope of the redemption..."the whole of creation".
Yes!!! We all need more of Him!!! We know Him they hope that He is out there!! We are ministers of reconciliation!!! To preach God's love to them all!!
Romans 8:23
Even we groan within ourselves", is this indicating within our person and our own struggles against sin and effort to gain spiritual maturity, or is this speaking of the whole body of Christ. Is this speaking of both the redemption of the 'body' of Christ and/or the redemption of our individual bodies?
Just growing pains!!!! Letting Jesus Christ rule as we die to our own opinions etc!!!! Spirit swallowing flesh!!! 1 Cor 15 again!
Romans 8:24
Once we have what we long for we no longer want it. Therefore because we have not yet been redeemed, we continue to hope for it?
AARGH!!!!! WE ARE ALREADY REDEEMED!!! We long for the evidence of Jesus reign over ALL creation to be seen!!! For our bodies to be transformed so as not to have it's inherent weakness! To reign over our earth/flesh and the whole earth!!!
Romans 8:25
But because we have not yet seen Christ or heaven we continue to live toward that and for that.
Hope for HIS glory not our things!!! Heaven is a state of mind!! An attitude not an altitude!!! A person (Jesus) not a place!!! Sure you can have a place if you want but you're a spirit what do you want with a physical place??? Enjoy your relationship NOW with Jesus!! Don't wait!!!
Romans 8:26
Even when I pray, believing that I am praying from the heart, the Spirit prays and even deeper message - those things that I do not know how to ask for or cannot voice?
God is always speaking!!! GLORY!
Romans 8:27
Is this talking about Jesus - the seeker of hearts? Or does it mean that because I constantly think about things; thoughts, behavior, reactions, values, the Spirit intercedes from God to us as well as from us to God, all within His will?
The Holy Spirit is the personage represented here!! God is ONE!!
Romans 8:28
All things work together for good - because we love God we see good even in and from the trials of life. The proverbial "silver-lining" And everything endured, good or bad, works to benefit those who are children of God as well as God?
Yup!! FAITH SEES GOD AS GOOD!!! Rejoice always!!!!
Romans 8:29
Jesus is the first born, the ultimate big brother, our example, our role model, our Lord. Are those who are to share in heaven preselected?
All is timed and orchestrated by God!! First born of many sons!!! We are to finish His work by proclaiming and demonstrating His victory!!! We are more than conquerors!!!
Romans 8:30
We have been predestined and called, justified and glorified, or is he speaking of those before Christ, the prophets?
All in Christ are made in His image and likeness!!! This is YOU!!!! One in Christ Jesus!!!!
Romans 8:31
No one can stand against God. And because He loves us and wants what is best and because He is our strength, no one can stand against us so long as we are unified in Him, one mind, one body, on Spirit.
Jesus did it all so He gets all the glory!!!
Romans 8:32
He sent His son to die - we should know that He loves us eternally with a depth of love we cannot even imagine, and we should be assured that He wants us to have all that He has to give us.
He made you in His love to be a sharer of His life!! You have equality with God in His righteousness in the new creation!! He will always be the creator and we will always worship Him but He has made us ONE in Him!!
Romans 8:33
God has justified us, His children, through His son. Therefore, who can know this and still accuse us of evil?
Absolutely!!!
Romans 8:34
Only Christ condemns, but we have received Him as our Savior and therefore, though He condemns, He also makes intercession for us to the Father?
Christ never condemns!!! See John 3:17!!!! This verse is irony not example!!!! "Of course not!" should be your answer !!! How could He who saved you from all sin then judge your sin???? He paid for it all to NOT be held against YOU!!!
Romans 8:35
Christ has said that nothing can separate us from His love.
No thing!!! No sin can separate you but you can feel separated by your lack of trust in His word!!!
Romans 8:36
Killed all day long? Killed in the body by sin?
Dying in the flesh, but alive in the Spirit? Or does he speak of those among us who also are physically killed, suffering the ultimate for the faith?
Even death is an illusion and can't unbind us and Jesus!!!
Romans 8:37
He has overcome sin, conquered. But we do not only conquer but share in the bounty as well.
As we renew our mind!! Think his way!! Spend time with Him!!!
Romans 8:38, 39
We are one with and in Christ. The body cannot be torn in half and still survive. We cannot be separated from Christ, as we are part of Him, lest we die also. He cannot be torn in two.
YES!!! ONE IN HIM!! That's why you are not a sinner!!! Cause He is not!!! If you make a mistake He will correct you but it is not sin but ignorance that caused it!! You just forgot who you were in Him!!! But as you grow you don't forget so much and give Him glory!!!
Thanks for your time! Please respond with any comments or questions.
In Him,
Pastor Jeff Moore