Wretched man that I am, who will save me from this body of death? (Romans 7:24)
An amazing thing about God working in us through his Spirit, is that the Spirit is Life. Let me explain, the wages of sin is death and sin dwells in the flesh and the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the Spirit is putting to death the deeds of the flesh, thus the Spirit is one of life. We can connect this rendering of sin powerless with baptism which crucifies the flesh and with the circumcision of Christ, that cuts, puts away the flesh. (Romans 6:6, Colossians 2:11) We also can connect this to our calling because the scriptures say that those he foreknew he also predestined, and those he predestined he called. (Romans 8:29-30) Therefore, God chose us, predestined us for adoption before the world was created, in Christ he predestined us according to his purpose, to be conformed to the image of his Son, those he predestined he called, those he called he justified, and those he justified these he glorifies. Who will save me from this body of death? Thanks be to Christ Jesus!
now, if Christ is in you, though the body is dead through sin, the Spirit is life through righteousness. Now, if the Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one raising Christ Jesus from the dead will make alive that your mortal bodies through his Spirit who lives in you... the Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit because we are children of God. Now, if children then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heir with Christ provided we suffer with him so that also glorified. (Romans 8:10-17)
What does all this have to do with the Spirit? well he adopted us through the Spirit, Paul starts out with this truth, the Spirit of life frees us from the law of sin and death. For death is in the body, the flesh, because sin dwells in the body and the wage of sin is death. (Romans 6:23, Romans 7:23) This clarifies that all men were under the law of sin and death, because of Adam sin came into the world, and death through sin, thus death has come to all men and all men are born into the sinful nature of the flesh, under the Law if sin and death. (Romans 5:12-21) The Spirit of life frees us from the law of sin and death, there's no condemnation, I'm not being judged and condemned for sin because I've been forgiven, I've received the testimony of blood and Spirit born anew. What the law could not do because it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending his Son in the flesh, becoming sin, of the sinful nature but without sin, condemning sin in the flesh. (Romans 8:3-4, 1 Peter 2:22, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 4:15)
For the law had no power,, weakened through the flesh, God by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and about sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:3-4)
So Jesus judged accordingly sin in the flesh, condemning sin in the flesh. If sin dwells in the flesh and as Paul writes later we are awaiting the fullness of adoption, the redemption of the body, then the flesh is still under the law of sin and death? (Romans 8:1-24) Condemned to death. Think about it, why does he leave us in this body? Perhaps it allows God to judge and condemn sin in the flesh keeping His word but at the same time giving us life? And the work of God bringing life through the Spirit to this mortal body is for a reason; "provided we suffer with him so that also glorified." The suffering brings about glorification, being transformed from glory to glory in Christ, the glory shining in the face of Jesus, thus it is about glory. We can compare this to being conformed to his image, growing up in knowledge of Him, into mature adulthood, thus into perfection and maturity, a fullness in Christ. Without this process what would we know of holiness?
This is what Paul says is knowing Christ, that he would experience his glory in this body of death, by participation in his death, having fellowship in His suffering, being conformed to His death so somehow to attain to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10-11) In fact the word wretched also means suffering, distressed, miserable.* Which speaks of enduring severe effort and hardship.* In this case over the fact he has not found power to overcome the flesh. There will be a consummation, a full reality of life but Paul talks that in this body of death the Spirit is making us alive, bringing life to this mortal body, provided we suffer with him so that also glorified. (Romans 8:11,17)
But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead through sin, now, the Spirit is life through righteousness. (Romans 8:10)
How can we explain the suffering to deep for words? How can we explain the persecution, and afflictions, and hardships? The Holy Spirit searches our hearts knowing the mind of God, interceding for us because the suffering is too deep for words. Thank God that Christ sat down at the right-hand of the Father, as our great High Priest who lives to intercede for us and sent us the Spirit of adoption in whom we cry Abba Father! We hope and await expectantly through endurance to be saved. We have peace before God, stand in grace which we have access to by faith and "not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering works out endurance, and endurance works out proving, and proving hope. Now, hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." (Romans 5:1-5) The key to overcoming is enduring the suffering, so that we mature in Christ. James speaks of this.
now, if Christ is in you, though the body is dead through sin, the Spirit is life through righteousness. Now, if the Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one raising Christ Jesus from the dead will make alive that your mortal bodies through his Spirit who lives in you... the Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit because we are children of God. Now, if children then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heir with Christ provided we suffer with him so that also glorified. (Romans 8:10-17)
What does all this have to do with the Spirit? well he adopted us through the Spirit, Paul starts out with this truth, the Spirit of life frees us from the law of sin and death. For death is in the body, the flesh, because sin dwells in the body and the wage of sin is death. (Romans 6:23, Romans 7:23) This clarifies that all men were under the law of sin and death, because of Adam sin came into the world, and death through sin, thus death has come to all men and all men are born into the sinful nature of the flesh, under the Law if sin and death. (Romans 5:12-21) The Spirit of life frees us from the law of sin and death, there's no condemnation, I'm not being judged and condemned for sin because I've been forgiven, I've received the testimony of blood and Spirit born anew. What the law could not do because it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending his Son in the flesh, becoming sin, of the sinful nature but without sin, condemning sin in the flesh. (Romans 8:3-4, 1 Peter 2:22, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 4:15)
For the law had no power,, weakened through the flesh, God by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and about sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:3-4)
So Jesus judged accordingly sin in the flesh, condemning sin in the flesh. If sin dwells in the flesh and as Paul writes later we are awaiting the fullness of adoption, the redemption of the body, then the flesh is still under the law of sin and death? (Romans 8:1-24) Condemned to death. Think about it, why does he leave us in this body? Perhaps it allows God to judge and condemn sin in the flesh keeping His word but at the same time giving us life? And the work of God bringing life through the Spirit to this mortal body is for a reason; "provided we suffer with him so that also glorified." The suffering brings about glorification, being transformed from glory to glory in Christ, the glory shining in the face of Jesus, thus it is about glory. We can compare this to being conformed to his image, growing up in knowledge of Him, into mature adulthood, thus into perfection and maturity, a fullness in Christ. Without this process what would we know of holiness?
This is what Paul says is knowing Christ, that he would experience his glory in this body of death, by participation in his death, having fellowship in His suffering, being conformed to His death so somehow to attain to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10-11) In fact the word wretched also means suffering, distressed, miserable.* Which speaks of enduring severe effort and hardship.* In this case over the fact he has not found power to overcome the flesh. There will be a consummation, a full reality of life but Paul talks that in this body of death the Spirit is making us alive, bringing life to this mortal body, provided we suffer with him so that also glorified. (Romans 8:11,17)
The Spirit frees me from the law of sin and death, the fear of death those under the Law were held captive to all their lives, we are freed from, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57) Thanks be to God, I am free from the law of sin and death! But not my body? It is still dying, sin dwells in the body, “it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me” (Romans 7:17) As a new creation, I am not under judgement and condemnation for sin and will be raised with a new body, because I'm a spiritual being now.
The mind-set of the flesh is death, the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. On account of this the mind-set of the sinful flesh is hostile to God, not submitting to the law of God for it neither has power. (Romans 8:6-7)
I'm a new creation in Christ, spiritual, this is how we fulfill the righteous requirements of the Law, because the Law was spiritual and the carnal man, the sinful flesh, could not subject to the laws of God, but the spiritual man can. And it is amazing this was prophesied of, God would put his spirit in us, he would write his laws on our hearts and put them in our minds. I think Jesus was trying to get this point across to Nicodemus, when he said one must be born anew to enter the kingdom of God, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?” for what is flesh is flesh and what is Spirit is Spirit and those born of the Spirit will enter the kingdom of God. (John 3:-15) And we see the same concept in John 6, the people were following him in the flesh, and when Jesus said they must eat his flesh and drink his blood for life, they walked away saying it was a hard teaching but as Jesus said the Spirit must reveal these things. They were looking naturally, fleshly when Jesus said what was from above are spiritual things of God.
What does the mind-set of the Spirit mean? A transformation by the renewing of the mind. (Romans 12:1-2) This is not a passive thing on our part, as Paul writes, we are to put off the former way of life, put off the old man who was crucified with Christ, and put on the new man which is being renewed in knowledge of its creator, created according to God in righteousness and holiness of truth. (Ephesians 4:21-23, Colossians 3:10, Ephesians 4:24) When saying the mind of the flesh is hostile to God, is Paul saying only non-believers having such a mind? Is it not true that God puts his Spirit within us and will are still in a body in which sin dwells and evil is near. And does not Paul delight in the laws of God in the inner man but finds another law in his member that wages war against the law of his mind and makes him captive to the law of sin dwelling in the member? Thus he says wretched man that am I, who will free me from this body of death! (Romans 7:22-25)
The mind-set of the flesh is death, the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. On account of this the mind-set of the sinful flesh is hostile to God, not submitting to the law of God for it neither has power. (Romans 8:6-7)
I'm a new creation in Christ, spiritual, this is how we fulfill the righteous requirements of the Law, because the Law was spiritual and the carnal man, the sinful flesh, could not subject to the laws of God, but the spiritual man can. And it is amazing this was prophesied of, God would put his spirit in us, he would write his laws on our hearts and put them in our minds. I think Jesus was trying to get this point across to Nicodemus, when he said one must be born anew to enter the kingdom of God, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?” for what is flesh is flesh and what is Spirit is Spirit and those born of the Spirit will enter the kingdom of God. (John 3:-15) And we see the same concept in John 6, the people were following him in the flesh, and when Jesus said they must eat his flesh and drink his blood for life, they walked away saying it was a hard teaching but as Jesus said the Spirit must reveal these things. They were looking naturally, fleshly when Jesus said what was from above are spiritual things of God.
What does the mind-set of the Spirit mean? A transformation by the renewing of the mind. (Romans 12:1-2) This is not a passive thing on our part, as Paul writes, we are to put off the former way of life, put off the old man who was crucified with Christ, and put on the new man which is being renewed in knowledge of its creator, created according to God in righteousness and holiness of truth. (Ephesians 4:21-23, Colossians 3:10, Ephesians 4:24) When saying the mind of the flesh is hostile to God, is Paul saying only non-believers having such a mind? Is it not true that God puts his Spirit within us and will are still in a body in which sin dwells and evil is near. And does not Paul delight in the laws of God in the inner man but finds another law in his member that wages war against the law of his mind and makes him captive to the law of sin dwelling in the member? Thus he says wretched man that am I, who will free me from this body of death! (Romans 7:22-25)
for I delight in the laws of God in the inner man but... (Romans 7:22-25)
We know Paul is a believer, because he delights in the laws of God in the inner man, this is because God has put his Spirit within him and writes his laws on his heart. As a non-believer God's Spirit is not in them, they are dead, living to the age of this world according to the ruler of the realm of the air the spirit that energizes the sons of disobedience, living in the passions of the flesh, gratifying its desires and intentions... (Ephesians 2:1-3) The mind of the sinful nature is at enmity with God and lives to its sinful nature, energized by the spirit of the devil, not approving of God this man has been given over to the flesh, to its desires. (Romans 8:7, Romans 1:24-27) When we believe God puts his Spirit within us, changes us inwardly, then by transformation which renews the mind, the carnal mind is renewed to align with the spiritual thus one that can approve of God's will. (Romans 8:1-2) Again this is not passive, our part is to come into agreement with God since we are now indebted to righteousness and not to live according to the flesh but of the Spirit, thus we present our bodies, the one in which sin dwells as living sacrifice unto holiness, this is our reasonable service and sacrifice acceptable to God.
the one existing in the flesh have no power to please God (Romans 8:8)
Is Paul talking about unbelievers here? they are in the flesh, that's who they are, they walk according to the flesh. He writes 'You however now, existing not in the flesh rather in Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you, whoever doesn't have the Spirit of Christ doesn't belong to him." (Romans 8:9-10) One of the spiritual blessings we receive in Christ is adoption, and how important is that we teach of the testimony of the Spirit that testifies we are children of God. We know we belong to Christ because the Spirit of Christ is in us, thus not by works, not by circumcision of the flesh, tithing, serving, giving... should we boast in knowing Christ. The distinction Paul is makes is that we are no longer to consider ourselves of the flesh, and that we are indebted to righteousness and to walk according to the Spirit. Is Paul now ignoring the principles that he spoke of earlier, that sin dwells in me, that is in my flesh and evil is near? By no means.
For walking in the flesh, not according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but power of God against tearing down strong holds... (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
Paul writes the compelling love of Christ concludes that if Christ died then all have died, no longer living according to the flesh, and even though Christ came and lived in the flesh, we regard no one in him to be according to the flesh but of the Spirit, because if anyone is in Christ he is anew creation, the old has passed away, behold the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:14-7) Paul does not ignore the fact that we still exist in the flesh, in this body in which sin dwells, in this body of death, "for walking in the flesh, not according to the flesh." He writes even the Spirit acknowledges this when groaning inwardly as we await our adoption, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:23) The earth is considered a body, we are a body, and creation itself including us in Christ will be set free from corruption and decay into the glorious freedom of the children of God. (Romans 8:22) We do not ignore this fact nor that we are in a spiritual battle for our souls and the souls of men, and to win we must be enlightened to the power available to us, to experience it, so to walk according to the Spirit.
Why is he saying "although the body is dead through sin" if I am no longer of the flesh but of the Spirit? Because Paul is acknowledging the body, that "for walking in the flesh, not according to the flesh" and that though we still exist in the flesh we are not to regard ourselves as fleshly and walk according to the Spirit. Why does he say the Spirit is life through righteousness? though the body is dead, the Spirit is life. There is a connection between righteousness and life. Paul writes that grace reigns through righteousness, God is giving us the gift of Grace and righteousness and then we will reign through righteousness. We will not rule over the flesh under the law but under grace. (Romans 5:21, Romans 6:14) We will reign over sin because God plants this seed of righteousness in us and puts his Spirit within us, thus through the Spirit we will reign, as we are led by the Spirit to put the deeds of the flesh to death.
now, at the present no longer I working it out but sin dwelling in me, for I know nothing good dwells in me, that is in my flesh, for I desire to good but can not work it out, for I do not do good rather the evil not willing to do I practice. Now, if I do that I do not will, it is no longer I working it out rather sin that dwells in me. (Romans 7:17-20)
One pastor told me he did not teach this because people would say the devil made me do it. But if a man exists in the wretched state that Paul is talking about, asking how he can overcome this body of death, this is powerful truth. To begin with I must be born of the Spirit, but I can't live in the flesh, doing its deeds and think the Spirit is going to give me life and peace, no, this is the wretched state Paul talks about, though I delight inwardly I have not the power to overcome sin in the flesh. (Romans 7:17-20) The wretched man needs to be free, to have life and peace. Righteousness in Christ means I'm indebted to righteousness, to live accordingly and Paul is telling us that we will be through the Spirit. Before I lived according to the flesh but now if I live according to righteousness then I live according to the Spirit receiving life and peace.
now, I say walk spiritually and you will finish (teleō) not end up (teleō) desiring the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)
If I live according to the flesh, I will end up desiring the things of the flesh, which leads to death, I'm a wretched man but if the Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us the one raising Christ from the dead will give life in our mortal body. What is Paul talking about giving life to my mortal body? though I am no longer dead and living according to the age of this world and its fleshly desires the body is dying and there will be death of the body. Now he's saying that the same power raising Christ from the dead is going to make me alive in my mortal body through the Spirit living in you. We're awaiting consummation of our Salvation, the redemption of the body so the Spirit of life means I can experience now in this body life because of the Spirit in me.
for if living according to the flesh, you are about death, now if the Spirit puts to death the deeds of the body you will live. (Romans 8:13)
Can I live according to the flesh as a believer? Yes, the scriptures tell us so, John writes there is sin that leads to death. Paul writes of people in the church who have died because they did not examine sin done in the body. (1 Corinthians 11:28-30) If this is true and there is theology being taught that would ignore such sin done in the body, then believers will die in the body because of wrong theology. Certainly it is well worth examining the truth of these scriptures. Paul confirms that we still struggle against sin in the body. (Hebrews 12:4) And if it is the Spirit leading me to put to death the deeds of the body then this implies I must be born of the Spirit, have the Spirit within me first, and the Spirit leads me to overcome sin. That it is not something that happens at my conversion. There is further work of Christ and the Spirit in regards to the purification of sin in the body.
This is the question which gets is to the main point, how does the spirit put to death the deeds of the flesh? I need to be led by the Spirit this is true, but how can I discern and approve of the things of God as good acceptable and perfect if my mind is not renewed? Paul is about to answer, this is what I started with, this is what I wanted us to understand. First we will repeat this truth, if God puts His Spirit in me, the Spirit is life, and if I am led of the Spirit, I am a child of God, and the Spirit will put to death the deeds of the flesh. If I live according to the flesh I will die but if I live according to the Spirit I will live. Therefore the question becomes how do I put to death the deeds of the flesh being led by the Spirit? Well, Paul gives us the answer, "provided we suffer with him so that also glorified."
Now, if children then heirs, heirs of God and a fellow heir with Christ provided we suffer with him so that also glorified. (Romans 8:10-17)
By his wounds we are healed. In the fellowship of his sufferings we are becoming like him in his death, so to also attain to his life. "that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship his sufferings, conforming to his death, if in any way to arrive at the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:10-11) Paul counts all things as loss in order to know Christ and as we see attaining to his life comes through suffering, as suffering conforms us to his death. "For if becoming united (planted together, grown together) of the conformation of his death existing, certainly also existing of resurrection." (Romans 6:5) This is the teaching of baptism, "knowing that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin is powerless that we no longer are servants of sin." (Romans 6:6) This is the circumcision of Christ that puts away the flesh, the body of sin. (Colossians 2:11) This is the testimony of water that purifies the body of sin. According to that eternally purposed in Christ God is working out for our good, so to be conformed to the image of Christ. (Romans 8:29) So we see to be conformed to the image of His Son we must also be conformed to his death. The path to his life is through his death.
Paul saying "I no longer live but Christ lives in me" is not saying I am being controlled by some other entity, no, it is being conformed to his image or being transforming by the Spirit of God. I'm becoming like Christ. This is the mystery of how God is restoring, reconciling man to himself through Christ. Man was created in the image of God but man fell into a sinful nature and now God is restoring that image in Christ. Let's read on in Romans 8 of how suffering is used in this, through the sufferings the glory of God, glorification, is being revealed to us. (Romans 8:18) Ok, Paul is writing about how the Spirit frees us from the law of sin and death, and is a Spirit of life through righteousness, the righteousness which we have received in Christ along with grace will we reign, and how those who have the Spirit of God in them belong to Christ and will be led by the Spirit to put to death the deeds of the flesh, thus they will walk according to the Spirit. We see the importance of grace reigning through righteousness in regards to us walking according to the Spirit of life and peace.
for I consider that the sufferings of this present time not worth comparing to the glory that is being revealed to the sons of God. (Romans 8:18)
It is true glory will be revealed to us in fullness and it true it is being revealed to us now, that's the part we need to get this is a verse that's expressing glory being revealed to us. Now that's true in the scriptures, for we are being transformed from glory to glory into the image of Christ. So this is happening now and it in the present suffering that the glorification is being done. The suffering is bringing about a glorification because I'm being conformed to death to be conformed to his life, his image. So I should be rejoicing in the trial! because the Spirit is leading me, putting to the death the deeds of this flesh, if I could just see this and understand it I would rejoice, as it is this power leading me out of this wretched state and freeing me from this body of death. But it doesn't just happen overnight, as Paul prays first we need to be founded, to know of his power, Christ dwelling in our hearts through faith, rooted and grounded in love so that we have strength to know the deeper love of God that brings us or compels to endure suffering which then brings us into a fullness in Christ, a maturity in Christ and here in fullness we are whole, lacking in nothing. In the suffering we rejoice for the glory of God is at work. This is why Paul prays in Ephesians that God gives us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowledge of Him, so that the eyes of our hearts would be enlightened to this power that is available us. (Ephesians 1:18) This suffering that I'm going through is not worthy to be compared to the glory, as through the suffering God's power is being revealed to me through glorification.
for we know because the entire creation is groaning and suffering as far as the present hour and not only that but we grown ourselves having the first fruit of the Spirit, groaning inwardly in us as we await redemption of our body. (Romans 8:22-23)
I am being transformed from glory to glory awaiting the glorious freedom of the children of God and that's what happening now if I am being set free from this bondage to decay, to this body of death. This is the analogy, the Earth is a body and it's corrupted because of sin and it's dying we don't need environmental scientists to tell us this, the scriptures do, the comparison is we are in a body that is dying so the Spirit inside groans for the glorious freedom we have as children of God. In Ephesians chapter one we read the blessings in Christ of adoption, redemption, the forgiveness of trespasses we have received and then Paul writes that in verse 14 the Holy Spirit is a pledge or a guarantee of our inheritance until God takes redemption of His own people. We are still waiting adoption it is not complete because of the body and so in this hope we are saved. We have this hope that our bodies are going to be redeemed and there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus if the spirit of God is in me.
... we groan inwardly awaiting adoption the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we are saved. Now, hope that is seen is not hope for who hopes for what he sees? Now, if we hope for what we do not see we await expectantly through endurance. In the same way now also the Spirit helps in our weakness for we do not know how to offer prayer just as we ought rather the Spirit intercedes for us, groaning too deep for words." (Romans 8:24-26)
consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials knowing that the proving of your faith works out endurance, now, endurance has an intended perfection so that you exist mature and whole, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)
There is a perfecting work of Christ and we see endurance is important in this, see "The Perfecting Work of Christ." I'm in a body that is decaying and I'm waiting freedom but I'm waiting through endurance, in the same way, in the suffering we endure so the work of endurance produces perfection, maturity, that I am being conformed to his death so to experience his life. Also I'm waiting through enduring because through endurance I'm going to mature and I'm going to receive from God, I'm going to get wisdom and it is going to bring life to me. Amazingly this answers the question how is the spirit putting to death the deeds of the flesh? It is through the Spirit of righteousness, so grace reigns through righteousness as God is working in me putting off the flesh through the circumcision of Christ. We have this weakness and we need to endure and the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought but the spirit himself intercedes. God knows the mind of the spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the Saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:27) Now think about that, is it talking about the mind of our spirit? The Spirit of God knows the mind of our spirit because the Holy Spirit intercedes according to the will of God. So to be renewed in the spirit of our minds is so that I can know the will of God and accept it. Having this mind that aligns with the Spirit of God means I have the mind of Christ.
now we know because all work together for good to the ones loved of God, the ones called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Here we see the calling, we were chosen to exist holy in his presence in love before he created the world he predestined us for adoption as his own. (Ephesians 1:4-5) He called us according to his purpose those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son the firstborn among many brethren. The Son of Man is bringing many sons to Glory so he came here in the flesh like his brothers of flesh and blood so to led many sons to Glory. So those he predestined he called. Those he foreknew he predestined to become conformed to the image of his son so that's how he's doing it we're being transformed from glory to glory. I am being glorified if I suffer with him and I rejoice in that suffering because the suffering is conforming me to his death so also to experience his life. I rejoice because I'm going to receive the Life of Christ in this to know more of his resurrection power through suffering. So in regards to suffering, affliction, persecution... what should our response be to these things? if God is for us, who can be against us.
who can separate us from the love of Christ? can tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or sword? (Romans 8:35)
Can a pandemic separate me from the love of Christ? If God is for me and if he did not spare his own son but delivered him up for us all how will he not also along with him graciously give us all things? who can bring a charge against God's elect? (Romans 8: 31-34) They can kill me, I live in a body of death anyway, so they can kill my body only and not my spirit. Christ ascended into heaven and is now sitting at the right hand of God interceding for us and he's our great high priest and as John writes he is our Advocate before the father when we do sin. Why do we still need Christ? because we are in this body and in this world where there is suffering. As Paul writes, we face death all day long and are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered knowing all these things we are winning a most glorious Victory through the one who loved us. (Romans 8:36)
both to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge so to be filled to the extent of all the fullness of God. Now, the one powerful to do beyond all measure all that we ask or imagine according to the power working in us. (Ephesians 3:19-20
Who can separate us from his love? No one can, neither suffering, tribulation... We see that agape love plays an important role in regards to us enduring suffering. This is why Paul prays that God grants us strength through His power, faith, and love so that we have strength to know the infinite love of Christ, so that we are filled to the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:16-20) To be filled up to all the fullness of God I need a foundation in knowing power, faith, and love do to be led deeper in the love of Christ which will compel, energizes us to endure the suffering. Notice the sequence Paul gives; we need to know his dominion, might, to be established and grow up in knowledge of him, having been rooted and established in faith, and rooted and grounded in love, and having strength through the power of the Spirit we can then grasp the love of Christ that so to perfect us. Since the perfection or maturity will come through suffering, it is having this foundation and knowing the deep love of Christ that will not separate us. Then as the parable of soils tell us we will not be choked out by the thorns the devil planted. The purpose of the suffering is that God's glory is being revealed in us. This is what God purposed in Christ, that that Jesus is head and we are being filled to the fullness of God, or that we grow up in the fullness of Christ, to mature adulthood, into the image of Christ. (Ephesians 1:10, Ephesians 1:22-23, Ephesians 3:19, Ephesians 4:10-15) Who will save me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!