Lesson 107
Romans
Chapter Eight
Freedom in Christ through the Holy Spirit
The Dynamic for living the Christian Life
Review:
1.
2. 8:20 Creation's past subjection
Ø 3rd
- Today all of nature, is bound in a state of corruption it is subject to decay, disease and death;
- When redeemed mankind is finally delivered, freed from the effects of the curse when he is glorified, then nature also is freed from corruption, its bondage to decay.
So also the physical creation will be recreated; Rev 21:5 "Behold I am making all things new"
This will take place in 2 phases;
#1 is the renovation of the present creation at the return of Christ and the establishment of his Messianic Kingdom. Isa 11:6-9
#2 The 2nd phase will be the creation of a new heaven and a new earth; Rev. 21:1; 2 Pet 3:7-13
- From corruption to freedom and liberty! that's Hope!
Ø
In the last of this paragraph we see 2 groans.
In vs:22 its the groaning of creation.
In vs:23 its the groaning of the believer.
- For we know [oida stresses the knowledge that grows out of perception and discernment] that the whole of creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth until now.
- In the same way creation has the promise of liberty and a new existence which begins with the millennium; new heavens and new earth.
Ø 8:23-25 The present of the Believer
- We groan in the present but we do so with what? Total confidence and assurance of our future.
- The basis for this assurance is that we "have the firsts fruits of the Spirit"
The Holy Spirit is the down payment, the pledge, the guarantor of our future glorification.
Eph 1:13-14; 2 Cor . 1:21-22; 5: 5
That we're sealed by the Holy Spirit has several important implications
that flow from it!
Sealing implies ownership;
Sealing implies security;
Sealing implies Authentication and approval;
What about the 2nd metaphor, the pledge;
"who [H/S] is
given as a pledge"; avrrabw.n [not a down payment as we know it today
at all]
Here in Rom
His ministry to us now is the first fruits of the life
that we will have and enjoy eternally when face to face.
Even with all the awesome provision we have, Paul says we groan within ourselves as we wait eagerly for the our adoption as sons.
- Here we are to be waiting eagerly,
expectantly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
The moment we believe in Christ and therefore are justified, we became His children and we were adopted into the God's family.
In
- What's the paradox? For in hope we have been saved?
Hope, the confident expectation here comes with reference to the redemption of the body, as Paul just discussed in vs:23.
Your faith, your believing
the facts of Scripture results in this hope, this confident expectation that He
who began a good work in you will perfect it, bring it to completion
Observations on Hope:
1. Definition: Hope is certitude with regard to the future, no doubt in it.
2.
Content of Hope: All the things
secured by the cross but are yet still future in bestowal. Rom
3. Imperative of Hope: Is related to your minds, your thinking.
4. Hope does not disappoint" hope placed in the right object will never disappoint; Rom. 5:5a
5. Our hope is certain because it rests on objective grounds!
"the love of God" Rom 5:5
6. Why is our hope so strong and confident?
#1 our hope is in God 1 Pet 1:21
#2 our hope is in Christ 1 Tim 1:1
#3 our hope is also related to the word! Psa. 119:81
Ø In the rest of vs:24 Paul gives us the nature of hope
Hope wouldn't be what it is, if we could see it! Its importance to us as a motivator in our
life would be nullified.