November 16, 2020

The epistle to the Romans was written by the apostle Paul to the church in the capital city of Rome.  The date of the letter was most likely around 56 A.D., near the end of Paul’s third missionary journey, while he was in Corinth. Paul had wanted to visit the believers in Rome for some time, however, he had not yet had the chance to do so. The letter afforded Paul the opportunity to introduce himself to the church, and to instruct them in essential truths of the gospel.

The church in Rome was probably founded by those who had come to faith in Christ on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem.  Unlike many of the other churches that Paul wrote to, his aim was not primarily to correct wrong theology or sinful living on the part of the Roman Christians, but to further instruct the church in doctrinal truths and practical living in light of those truths.

The principal theme of Paul’s letter to the Romans is that God justifies guilty, helpless sinners by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. He dispels any notion that heaven and a relationship with God can be achieved through good works. Generally, the first eleven chapters of Romans are primarily theological while chapters 12-16 are more about practical Christian living and life in the church.

While the letter does contain some challenging passages that believers have debated, Paul addresses issues such as man’s sin and God’s wrath, justification by faith alone, the security of the believer’s salvation, sanctification, God’s sovereignty, God’s plan for Israel, the purpose of governing authorities, Christian living, and the proper use of one’s liberty in Christ.

It was while studying and teaching the book of Romans that a German Catholic priest, in the early 1500’s, came to understand Romans 1:17 in a brand new light. The words, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith’” led him to understand justification was by faith alone and not by works. God would so impact Martin Luther with these words that he became a seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation.

Romans 8

Life in the Spirit

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 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. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Heirs with Christ

12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Future Glory

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

God’s Everlasting Love

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Reflection:

  • If you are in Christ, do you have to fear condemnation (v. 1)?
  • How amazing is it for a believer to understand this especially when we are enemies of God prior to salvation in Christ?
  • Even though God gave us the law (the Mosaic law), what did he do that the law could never do (vv. 3-4)? It is important to understand that this was by design.
  • What is the serious problem with the mind that is set on the flesh (v. 7)?
  • What makes a person “in the Spirit” (v. 9)?
  • John 14: 17, “…even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” Why are Jesus’ words so significant relating to what Paul said about a person “in the Spirit” in Romans 8:9?
  • Do you find any encouragement from Paul’s words about the suffering believers might experience in life compared to what awaits them in glory (v. 18)? Can you express gratitude to God right now for this amazing blessing?
  • When we are overcome with sadness or weakness and, perhaps, don’t even know how or what to pray, what does the Holy Spirit do (v. 26)?
  • According to verses 28-29, what can Christians take ultimate comfort in?
  • Write in your own words the truths of Romans 8:1 and 8:31.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you and praise you that there is no condemnation for me because I belong to Christ! The penalty of sin is no longer held against me. I desire to always walk by the Spirit and not according to the flesh.  When I am weak, I thank you that the Spirit helps me and strengthens me. I thank you that no matter what I might face in live, you are in control and will ultimately cause all things to work together for good. I will not fear because you are for me Lord! In Jesus’ name, amen.

13 thoughts on “Daily Devotional-November 16th”

  1. Dear Heavenly Father.
    Thank you for giving me your Holy Spirit that dwells in me. When I am at my lowest ebb and cry out to You, the Holy Spirit intercede for me and relays my prayers. I am comforted and reminded that nothing will separate me from Your love. You will never leave me or forsake me like I have been forsaken by others. When I tremble at the thought of a future like the one that looks bleak before us, Your words resonate in my mind….nothing will take away Your love from me….not kingdoms. nor principalities, nor rulers, nor the things in the past or to come, not even death. Thank you Lord Jesus. Please take me by the hand and lead me each day. May my heart and soul, mind and body honor you always. This is my prayer. Amen.

    1. Gracias padre amado por darme tu espíritu santo gracias porque tú nos guías nos has amado antes de mi existencia y nos libras del mal lléname de tú misericordia has que yo siga siempre tus pasos con mente corazón y espíritu todo el tiempo guiada por tu amor mi santo padre amado Jesús en estos momentos que estamos viendo son tiempos difíciles pero cogidos de tu mano todo es más fácil té doy gracias te alabo toda la gloría es tuya y la victoria es nuestra en nombre de tu hijo amado Jesús amén y amén ?

    2. AMEN AND HALLELUJAH!!!! I WANT TO WALK IN THE LIFE AND LOVE OF CHRIST JESUS. I DO NOT WANT TO BE SEPARATED FROM MY LORD JESUS CHRIST. IN JESUS CHRIST NAME, AMEN

  3. Thank you Lord for saving me. I want to be able to leave a legacy of time spent for You, Lord, because that is eternal. Help me bring others to You.

  4. You want security of the believer? This chapter makes eternal security perfectly clear. It is Christ who has redeemed me, not by my efforts. What God does is eternal, not reversible.

  5. Lord I am at my lowest right now I am praying for an answer for months to Walt’s ostomy Wafer to hold and it does not. No one has the answer I need, I admit I am ready to give up because this has caused a serious infection that they say will eventful take his life. I get up every morning and pray and feel so alone because I know you are with me but there has to be a answer please help me.

  6. Father,

    In my weakness, you are strong.

    I am troubled and perplexed. Father, you are in control.

    The devil and his minions are attacking and slowly destroying the Christian-worldview. May your remnant be filled with the Holy Ghost and rise up and assault the gates of hell, recapturing lost souls.

    May each Christ-follower focus on one wanderer in their lives. Father, hear the pleas for their salvation. May there be rejoicing in heaven throughout this day as lost souls find redemption.

    Strengthen your children, Father. May we withstand the assault.

    May a glimpse of heaven and a taste of hell itself motivate our urgency to help save one more for Jesus – Today!

    Prayers are offered in the name of Jesus,

    Amen

  7. Lord Jesus help the helpless. Comfort those who need Your loving arms. Remember Lord Jesus. Open our eyes and ears to see and hear the Will of the Father. Remember our country and act. In Your Name Jesus we come before You Amen.

  8. One of the greatest passages in the New Testament. Jesus died to make give us right standing before God and has provided everything we need to live a forgiven life and spend eternity with Him.

    Praise the Lord!

  9. Thank You Lord for the things we cannot see. The Holy Spirit, grace, and mercy. Thank You for Your love and patience. Thank You for being my Lord and Savior. I love you and thank You for our many blessings. By faith and not good works You live in me and I in You. May I be able to show others what an amazing Heavenly Father You are. Amen.

  10. 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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