Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.    

This is one of the most quoted and comforting verses in the entire Bible.  In all things means that even through trials, suffering, and bad times God is working for the good of those covered by this verse.  Those that are covered are those who love God and have been called by God for his purpose.  These people are the children of God.  They are his Saints. 

This purpose does not necessarily mean health, wealth, and worldly happiness.  It does mean that God has a plan of service for all Saints, but it may include suffering, hardship, and even martyrdom.  Therefore, even the suffering and death of an individual Saint can work for the good of other Saints.  Just as Jesus Christ’s suffering and dying on the cross brought good for every single Saint in the history of the world, the suffering of a single Saint can be used by God to bring good for many Saints. 

It is a comfort for Saints to trust in the fact that no matter what happens, all things work for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose.     

Romans 8:26-27

Romans 8:26-27 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

The indwelling Holy Spirit helps Saints in their weakness and intercedes for them in accordance with God’s will.  Praise God that Saints are not left on their own, but have the Spirit of God leading them in the ways of the will of God.       

Romans 8:19-25

Romans 8:19-25  For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 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.  For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.  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.  For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

With the fall of Adam and Eve the magnificent creation of God fell into the bondage of corruption.  Saints as well as unbelievers are also subjected to the corruption and decay of their bodies.  It is with hope that Saints were saved and it is with hope and patience that Saints look forward to the new heaven and earth that will one day reveal the sons of God.  Praise God that he will wipe away every tear when the creation is made perfect and without corruption.    

Romans 8:18

Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Saints can rest in peace that their worldly sufferings pale in comparison to the glory that awaits when their redemption is complete.  We can rejoice and praise God because as the old hymn states, It is well with my soul.  

Romans 8:15-17

Romans 8:15-17 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.  And by him we cry,  “Abba, Father.”  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

The Spirit that Saints receive does not make them slaves to the curse of the Law and cause them to live in fear again.  No, the Spirit brings Saints into being adopted into sonship.  As the previous verse pointed out Saints are adopted as children of God and the Spirit testifies this fact with our spirit. 

Praise God that Saints are heirs of God.   

Romans 8:14

Romans 8:14  For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

In this passage the children of God are obviously believers only.  Therefore, those who are led by the Spirit are believers.  This means believers follow the leading of the Spirit of God.  It follows that someone who does not follow the Spirit of God is not a believer. 

I love the beauty and conclusiveness of this passage.  There is no wiggle room to assert believers may ignore the Spirit or reject the Word of God that was inspired by the Spirit.  To reject the Word of God on clearly revealed sins such as homosexuality, abortion, and other sins is to not follow the Spirit.  This one verse closes the door on the free grace movement and the carnal Christian concept.  Believers do continue to sin, but they will not insult the Spirit by refusing to accept the Spirit’s message.

Romans 8:12-13

Romans 8:12-13  Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.  For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

Paul once again points out that a Saint has an obligation to not live according to the flesh.  If anyone lives according to the flesh he will die even if he claims to believe in Christ.  It takes the indwelling Spirit for a Saint to put to death the misdeeds of the body.  Just as Christ pointed out in his description of himself as the true vine [John 15], a Saint will bear fruit, which requires remaining in Christ.  It is clear that a Saint cannot sanctify himself without the Spirit.  Therefore, the Holy Spirit is the engine that drives sanctification.  Just as there is no boasting for a person’s justification, there is also no boasting for his sanctification.