This chapter of Scripture really ministered to me this morning on so many levels. I pray you will find comfort in reading it also :-D
THE BOOK OF ROMANS ~Chapter 8
THE BOOK OF ROMANS ~Chapter 8
There is, therefore, no death sentence hanging
over those who are in Mashiach Yeshua, for they walk not after the flesh but
after the Spirit. I have been set free from the law of sin and death by the law
of the Spirit of life through Mashiach Yeshua. The Law was made powerless to
save because it was made weak by our sinful nature, but Elohim sent His own Son,
with a body like that of a sinful man, and, by being made a sacrifice for sin,
He – in His own flesh – condemned sin. In that way the just requirement of The
Law, through Him, was fulfilled for us who walk not according to the flesh but
according to the Spirit.
Those who walk according to the flesh set their minds
on the things of flesh, and those who walk according to the Spirit set their minds
on the things of the Spirit. But to set the mind on the flesh brings death,
whereas to set the mind on the Spirit brings life and peace. The mind which is
interested only in carnal things is enmity to Elohei. It does not obey Elohei’s
Law, and, of course, cannot. Those who live after the flesh cannot possibly please
Elohim.
But if the Ruach Ha’Kodesh truly dwells in you,
then you are not carnal minded, but spiritual. No one is a Christian unless he/she
has the Spirit of Mashiach in him/her. Then if Mashiach is in you, your spirit
lives because of justification, even though your body must die because of sin.
If the Spirit of Elohei Who raised up Yeshua from the dead dwells in you,
Elohei, Who raised up Mashiach Yeshua from the dead, will also raise up your
mortal bodies through that same Spirit who lives in you.
Brethren, we are by no means bound to follow the
standards set by our fleshly natures. For you must die if you live after the
ways of the flesh, but, on the other hand, if you live by the Spirit, the Ruach
will put to death your carnal deeds and give you life!
For those who are led by the Ruach of Elohei are
the sons of Elohim. The Spirit which you have received is not of slavery, which
leads you back to a life of fear, but rather that of sonship, which enables you
to cry out, “Abba! Abba!” Yes, the Ruach Himself bears witness with our spirits
that we are Elohim’s children. And if we are children, then we are heirs of
Elohim, and joint-heirs with Mashiach. That is, if we have a share in His
sufferings, then we shall also in the same way have a part in His
glorification.
It seems to me that the sufferings of the present
can in no way compare with the glory that is to be shown us in the future.
Everything created seems to be waiting for the revelation of the sons of
Elohim. The created world was subjected to failure, not because it wanted it
that way, but because of Him Who subjected it thus. He did so in hope. His hope
was that creation itself would be made free from its bondage of corruption and
have a part in the glorious freedom of Elohim’s children.
We are conscious, somehow, that all nature has
been groaning in agony together until now. Not only so, but we who enjoy a foretaste
of the Ruach also groan within ourselves as we wait for the resurrection of our
bodies, and for our sonship with Him. When we were saved we had this hope. And
remember, that hope which is seen is not hope. Does anyone hope for what he/she
sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, then we must wait for it in
patience.
In like manner, the Ruach also helps us in our
helplessness. We do not know, for instance, what to pray for as we ought; then
the Ruach intercedes for us in ways beyond words. And Elohei, Who searches the
hearts of men/women, knows what the Ruach has in mind, for He intercedes for
the saints according to Elohei’s Will.
We are certain, however, that all things work
together for the good of those who love Elohei. According to His purpose, they
are the ones whom He calls. It was His plan that they should conform to the
likeness of His Son, so that He might be the First-born among any brethren. He
foreknew this, and predestined it. And those whom He predestined He also
called. And those whom He called, He also justified. And those whom He justified,
He also glorified.
What, then, shall we say about these things? Just
this – if Elohim is for us, what does it matter who may be against us? For He
did not spare His own Son, but gave Him for us all; then will He not also give
us all things with Him? Who is going to bring charges against Elohei’s elect?
It is Elohim, Himself, who justifies. Who is going to condemn? Mashiach, Who
died for us, is there to intercede for us. Yes, and He was raised again and now
sits at the right hand of Elohim. He pleads in our behalf.
Ah, who can separate us from Mashiach’s love? Can
tribulation do it? Or distress? Or persecution? Or famine? Or nakedness … peril
… sword? No! The Scripture does say, “For
Your Name’s sake w are being put to death the livelong day; we are regarded as
sheep to be slaughtered” (Psalm 44:22).
And yet, despite all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him Who
loved us. And as for me, I am certain that nothing in death or life, I the
present or future, among angels or spiritual powers, or any height or depth, or
any creature whatsoever will be able to separate us from Mashiach’s love, which
is ours in Adonai Mashiach Yeshua.
