We’ve ended one of the most life-changing chapters in Sacred Scripture. It started with “There is therefore now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus” and ends with “For I am certain that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation…
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I don’t know, but if you have a few minutes, open Sacred Scripture to Romans 8:18-30 and read it—read it out loud, allowing the words to enter the atmosphere of your room. It doesn’t matter was translation you read because you will walk away illuminated with God’s wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. There’s more here than I could discuss in one…
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At the beginning of Romans 8 we learned the value of our thoughts: the mind set on the Spirit versus the mind set on the flesh. Further Scriptures help us to understand how God takes our thoughts seriously. Psalm 94:11a reads: “The Lord knows the thoughts of mankind… and Psalm 139:2 reads: You know when I sit down and when…
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What we think matters – it matters to the Lord and to enemy of our soul
Paul never leaves us guessing. It is obvious we’re the problem, not the Law. We would not recognize our sin if we didn’t have knowledge of the relationship between the Law and what we do. Now is the Law perfect and our rebellion is sin. God’s commands and law are perfect. We are not. What should we say then? Is…
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As far back as we can remember, we have learned how to solve problems: eat with a spoon, walk, tie shoes, and even to read. The older we’ve gotten, the more complicated the problems. Paul, led by the Holy Spirit, wants us to understand the problem and solution of sin in us. So far, in the first six and half…
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Paul illustrates the marriage vow between two people (Romans 7:1-6). More clearly, Paul uses this illustration of the law of marriage. God has exclusive possession of you—spirit, soul, and body. If that troubles you, then maybe you’ve not completely died to self. Think about it. Once you were married to the world and “belonged” to the enemy of your soul….
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Have you ever thought about what it means to be enslaved to sin and liberty in Christ?
I open the Bible to chapter 6 of Romans, and immediately these words grab me hard: “…are you unaware…?” I understand that unawareness is a blind spot, and it is downright dangerous. So, I stop what I’m doing and pray: Lord, help show me where I am unaware.” Are you aware that… The enemy of our soul specializes in deception….
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