Romans Chapter Eight

Romans Chapter Eight


This chapter is a summation of the doctrines dealing with salvation. We will find the "two natures" discussed in the early verses with the promises of eternal security found in the last few verses.


Let's review what has been covered in the last several chapters that leads up to this one:

1. Romans 5 compared Adam's death with Christ's death.
2. Romans 6 relates Christ's death to the spiritual death of the Christian to sin and the flesh.
3. Romans 7 show the relation of the Law to the spiritual death of the Christian in Christ.

Now we will learn of the relation of the death of the Christian to the future.


Romans 8:1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.


Note to the reader: For those studying with the NASB, the words following "Jesus" are omitted. For those studying with the NIV, the words following "Jesus" are footnoted.


Some bible scholars will "reason" that the words must be removed because of John 5:24 where John is speaking of ETERNAL CONDEMNATION in Hell.


We know that Paul NEVER teaches "eternal condemnation in Hell" for Christians. Paul teaches ETERNAL SECURITY for Christians.


So, in context with Romans 7, the condemnation in Romans 8:1 can not be the same as the condemnation in John 5:24. It is a temporary condemnation, paid for in the flesh.


Not convinced? Look ahead to Romans 8:6 as it relates to 1 Corinthians 3:1-3. Look ahead to Romans 8:13. Having examined those passages, one can see that a Christian who doesn't live right can be condemned to physical death by God for the way he lives, WITHOUT GOING TO HELL.


Still not convinced? Look at what happened to the Corinthian fornicator in 1 Corinthians 5:5. He was turned over to Satan for the "destruction of the fleshthat the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."


Perhaps the following verses will clarify the difference between eternal and temporary condemnation:


1 Corinthians 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many [are] weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. . . . . 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.


The omission in the NASB and footnote in the NIV is the way bible verses are handled by translators, among others, who Add to, Subtract from, Privately Interpret and Change the Holy Scriptures (i.e. ASPIC). If they can't understand the verse, they change it.


Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.


In verse 2, we see a spiritual law that operates upon a person receiving Christ as their Saviour. The Holy Spirit:

1. enters the body and resurrects the dead spirit (i.e. spiritual birth),
2. baptizes the believer into Christ (i.e. spiritual baptism),
3. separates the new living spirit from the flesh, the body of sin (i.e. spiritual circumcision).

When these operations are complete, the believer is "free from the law of sin and death".


Ephesians 2:1 And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins;


Look back at Romans 7:23-25 and note that you still have a problem with the flesh. The law of sin and death is still operating there and will continue to do so until you either physically die or you are raptured. In either case, when you are raptured, you will receive a sinless, glorified body.


In verse 3, we can see why the Old Testament saints, who walked in all of the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, were "detoured" to Abraham's bosom. They had NO:

1. new birth because there was NO new birth from Adam to Christ,
2. baptism by the Holy Spirit into Christ,
3. circumcision of a new spirit from the flesh.

Because they were in the flesh, they had to wait in Abraham's bosom UNTIL Christ fulfilled the Law and rescued them from their Satanic captivity. The Lord Jesus descended into the lower parts of the earth and took "captivity" in Abraham's bosom captive to heaven (see Psalm 68:18 which is repeated in Ephesians 4:8).

Now watch out for the next phrase in verse 3. Look carefully at that word "likeness". Stop here and read Philippians 2:7-8. Note that the Lord Jesus had a body of SINLESS FLESH.

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Romans Chapter Eight (Continued)

Let's check with John and see what Jesus said:


John 15:22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. . . . . 24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.


At Christ's first advent, he condemns sin in the flesh in two ways:

1. He preached against it, and
2. He demonstrated, by His life, that you don't have to sin.

Note that Christ did not condemn the world as it is already condemned (see John 3:17-18). The problem for man is that Christ lived a sinless life. That leaves man without an alibi.

Christ condemns our sins, not us. One who rejects Christ is condemned with his sins. He has condemned himself. If a person goes to Hell, it is because he refused to accept the payment for his sins by the Lord Jesus Christ, a sinless man.


So, in verse 4, when we are saved, we receive the righteousness of Christ. It is imputed to us. But notice that the righteousness is the "righteousness of the law". That is the righteousness that comes by doing what the law says.

BUT, watch out for that preposition. The righteousness of the law is not fulfilled BY us. It is fulfilled IN us. Christ fulfilled the law for us by living a sinless life under the law.


Finally, to see how the righteousness of the law is fulfilled IN you, check the following verse:


Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

It is allowing the Holy Spirit of God to live out the righteous life of Christ which is given you at salvation.

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Romans Chapter Eight (Continued)

Romans 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Paul continues speaking to the Christian in this passage and takes for granted that some Christians will choose to "mind the things of the flesh". Those that choose "to be carnally minded" can be hastening their physical death.

When a Christian is "spiritually minded", he prolongs his life and has peace with God. Here is a verse that takes this peace a step further:

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Verse 7 names one of the three great enemies of the Christian:

1. "the carnal mind is enmity against God" (Romans 8:7),
2. "your adversary the devil" (1 Peter 5:8), and
3. "friendship of the world is enmity with God (James 4:4).

Some Christians focus only on spiritual warfare with the Satan and ignore the flesh and the world. They can preach up a storm against the Devil but when they get home they have to "light up" and satisfy that flesh with a long "draw" of nicotene. That is a DRUG, folks. One to which the flesh can become addicted.

Total spiritual warfare is against anything or anyone that causes you to:

1. "give place to the devil" (Ephesians 4:27),
2. "live after the flesh" (Romans 8:13), and/or
3. "be conformed to this world" (Romans 12:2).

Verse 8 is confirmed by the following verse:

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

In this dispensation of the grace of God, if a person wants to please God, they will receive Christ as their Saviour and follow this instruction in context with the rest of the passage:

1 Thessalonians 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort [you] by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, [so] ye would abound more and more.

Christians must keep themselves free to engage in the spiritual warfare as this verse instructs:

2 Timothy 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of [this] life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

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Romans Chapter Eight (Continued)

Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Verse 9 defines what a Christian is. It is a person INDWELLED by the Holy Spirit of God. Contrary to what every Acts 2 Pentecostal will tell you, being "in the Spirit" means that you are a saved person in which the Spirit of Christ dwells. Contrary to what every Acts 2 Pentecostal will tell you, there is ONE baptism (Ephesians 4:5). It is NOT a separate act of grace that occurs after salvation. Folks, it is UNIVERSAL to every Christian. It is HOW you are saved.

Being "in the Spirit" means that the Holy Spirit lives in you. If He doesn't, then you aren't saved.

Verse 10 confirms that a Christian is a LIVING person in a DEAD body.

Verse 11 is a rapture verse. We are promised that our mortal bodies will be "quickened". Whether "asleep" or "awake" in Christ, here is what is promised:

1 Corinthians 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

Being "in the Spirit" means that you have "the working of His mighty power" in you (Ephesians 1:19-20).

Verse 12 indicates that we are "debtors" but not to the flesh. The "debt" is to the Holy Spirit who gave your dead spirit LIFE and will someday give your dead body LIFE.

Verse 13 is confirmed by Galatians 5:24-25, 6:8 and Colossians 3:5-10. Colossians 3:5 lists those "deeds of the body" that Christians are to "mortify".

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together.

Verse 14 is a verse that is sometimes wrested to infer that a believer can fall in and out of salvation. The wresting occurs when this verse is tied to John 10:27. In context, John 10:27 speaks of the lost sheep of the house of Israel but that should not prevent anyone from using the verse to bring an unsaved person to Christ.

However, doctrinally, when John 10:27 is applied to the Church, it is Christ seeking a straying Christian. Teaching that when a Christian is not led by the Spirit of God, he is not a son of God is heresy.

Verse 15 concerns the bondage of the Law. This is confirmed in Galatians 4, 5 and 6. Here is a verse that substantiates:

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

The "fear" in verse 15 is the fear of the Law. There is no assurance of salvation under the Law. Believers have received the Spirit of adoption, however. Having been adopted, we can enjoy a personal, endearing relationship with God. "Abba, Father" is like calling God "Dad".

No Old Testament saint EVER referred to God as "Abba, Father". Jesus coined the phrase in Mark 14:36. Paul used the phrase in verse 15 and in Galatians 4:6. It is most certainly a New Testament term and distinguishes our INDIVIDUAL relationship with God from Israel's CORPORATE relationship with God.

We see the WORK of the Holy Spirit, itself, in verse 16. The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Check out 1 John 4 and 5 for how the Holy Spirit testifies to the person, work and presence of Jesus Christ. This witness is given through and in conjunction with the Holy Scriptures (see 1 John 5:11-13).

And, in verse 17, we see that an adopted child of God is counted as an HEIR of God. That inheritance is a heavenly one. Paul speaks of this inheritance in the following verse:

[SIZE=+0]Hebrews 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,[/SIZE]

And Peter speaks of our inheritance in this verse:

[SIZE=+0]1 Peter 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+0]Notice that there is another CONDITIONAL inheritance. We can be JOINT HEIRS with Christ "if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together".[/SIZE]

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Romans Chapter Eight (Continued)

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected [the same] in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for [it].


Verse 18 is confirmed and expanded upon by the following verse:


2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory;


The sufferings are momentary and the afflications are light compared to the glory that is eternal and its weight exceeding.

Verse 19 is speaking of that part of the order of salvation called "glorification". We will see this doctrine again in Romans 8:29. Here are a couple of additional verses that speak to "glorification":


Philippians 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.


1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.


The definitive verses on this rapture doctrine are found in 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.


Let's look at the "creature" in verses 20 and 21. Paul begins by speaking of mankind but then in verse 22 he expands it to all creation. Everything on this earth is under the curse. Everything and everyone groans and travails in pain under the curse.


In verse 23, we have the "firstfruits of the Spirit" and are the first to receive the new birth (i.e. to be "born again"). But, once again, we groan within ourselves. We have received the Spirit of adoption (Romans 8:15) but WAIT for the adoption, that is the redemption of our bodies.


Note the connection between adoption and redemption when your spirit (Galatians 4:5) and your body (Romans 8:23) are redeemed.


Paul speaks of our "being justified freely by his grace throught the REDEMPTION that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24) and of our being "justified by his blood" (Romans 5:9).


Satan doesn't like how we are redeemed by Christ's blood. Note how he fooled Hort into removing "through his blood" in Colossians 1:14. Here is how the KJV renders that verse:


Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins:


The NASB leaves "though his blood" out and the NIV footnotes it as being in LATE manuscripts. By "late" the NIV is referring to the majority manuscripts that were used by the Protestant reformers in all of the bibles through the KJV.


In verses 24 and 25, "we are saved by hope". This hope has nothing to do with doubt and uncertainty. As we will see in Romans 8:29-30, our salvation is eternally secure and our destiny is fixed. There is no excuse for any Christian answering "I hope so" to the question "Are you saved?"


Look what Paul calls the rapture in this verse:


Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;


This is what "we with patience wait for" in verse 25. We should always know that we are saved by HOPE and not hoping that we are saved.


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Romans Chapter Eight (Continued)

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.

Remember back in Romans 8:22 we noticed that "the whole creation groaneth". Then, in Romans 8:23, it was us groaning within ourselves. Now, in verse 26, we see that the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us with groanings.

The apostle Paul is our example as he is of Christ. The example set by Paul concerning our infirmities is worth examining. Paul was able to "glory" in his infirmities and "take pleasure" in them (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

Paul also gives us insight concerning our instinct to "get out of trouble" by praying for self-preservation. Paul prayed to "get rid of his trouble" as we see in the following verse:

2 Corinthians 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

Paul prayed for deliverance 3 times from his "thorn in the flesh". He found out that it was put there for good reason (see 2 Corinthians 12:7).
One last issue concerning verse 26 is the false notion by some charismatics that the Holy Spirit's groanings is related to speaking in tongues. Verse 26 is quite clear that the groanings of the Holy Spirit CANNOT BE UTTERED.

In verse 27, the Lord Jesus "knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit. He understands those groanings that cannot be uttered. He intercedes for us even when the Spirit is doing the groaning. He intercedes for us according to the will of God.
We don't always pray according to God's will but the Lord Jesus does.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

For the believer, this verse contains a PROMISE that is UNCONDITIONAL. Let's look at another promise to believers that is CONDITIONAL:

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to every good work:

Now, let's look at how the Revised Standard Version (RSV) removes the PROMISE:

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Romans 8:28 We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. (RSV)
[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Revised Standard Version © 1947, 1952. [/FONT]

Is there any doubt that God works for good? Does every believer who loves God always work with God to do good?

King David loved God but committed adultery and murder. The apostle Paul loved God but disobeyed Him (Acts 21). So not only does the RSV remove the promise, it also states a false doctrine.

As we will see in Romans 8:29-30, the calling and the purpose of verse 28 is "to be conformed to the image of his Son".

Verse 28 is not concerning God doing good. It concerns whether the circumstances through which you are going are working for your good. You will find the "THINGS" of verse 28 listed in verses 35 through 39.

Keep in mind that the "THINGS" might not "work together" for what you call "good". The Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit make sure that your circumstances work out "according to the will of God" (Romans 8:27).

Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

And now we have arrived at the verses that spark no end of controversy with every Calvinist within a hundred miles. The Calvinists use verse 29, along with Ephesians 1:4-5 and Romans 9, to prove that God predestinated the elect to SALVATION. The Calvinists also believe the logical antithesis (i.e. those whom God did not elect are predestinated to Hell).

The truth is that no person is predestinated to SALVATION. Believers are predestinated to "the adoption of children" (Ephesians 1:5), "to be conformed to the image of his Son" (Romans 8:29) and to obtain "an inheritance" (Ephesians 1:11).

Predestination is operative AFTER salvation, not before. To wit, the destination of a LOST person is Hell, up until the moment he receives Christ.

Predestination is not arbitrary on God's part nor is it unconditional. Like election (1 Peter 1:2), predestination is based upon the foreknowledge of God (i.e. "For whom he did foreknow.").

Again, the Calvinists will contend that God's foreknowledge is FIXED and can not be CHANGED. We have observed the Calvinists objections to God being able to "change His mind" on the thread called "Does God Change His Mind?". Here is the Calvinists mantra:

Irresistible grace overcomes Total depravity through Unconditional election to apply Limited atonement to the sinner so as a saint he can Persevere to the end. That's TULIP.
​

God's foreknowledge not only encompasses what WILL happen, but also encompasses what COULD happen. The difference is determined by the actions any person takes based upon their own FREE WILL. The Calvinists have God's WILL painted into the proverbial corner. They want you to believe that God can not CHANGE HIS MIND. The TULIP wilts when God is allowed to change His mind.

There are 2 ways to view verse 30:

1. Predestination can be GENERAL in that God decided, even before Genesis 1:1 (Ephesians 1:4), that whoever would receive the Lord Jesus Christ NOW would have their destiny set to be legally accepted by God as His child and would be made exactly like His only begotten Son. This view is based on "them he also glorified". Since no believer has been GLORIFIED YET, this could be the destiny fixed in the mind of God.
2. The more likely view is that believers are predestinated to be CALLED "according to his purpose". The purpose is "to be conformed to the image of his Son". In this view, God sees believers whom he has justified as complete in Christ, hence already glorified.

Finally, keep in mind that NOBODY received Christ "before the foundation of the world".

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Romans Chapter Eight (Continued)

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? [It is] God that justifieth. 34 Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

"These things" most likely reference all of the previous verses in Romans 8. The previous verses have addressed the battle between the flesh and the spirit and how the Holy Spirit gives our "new man" the advantage.

The second question could be answered by listing the world, the flesh and Satan. However, the inference of the question is who can stand SUCCESSFULLY against believers. If you:

1. "walk in the Spirit" (verses 1 and 4),
2. "mind the things of the Spirit" (verse 5),
   
3. "mortify the deeds of the body" (verse 13),
4. "suffer with him" (verse 17),
5. "hope for that we see not" and
6. "with patience wait for it" (verse 25),

then nothing can stand against you.

In verse 32, the obvious answer to the rhetorical question is "all things". That is, all things that you NEED in the will of God, not everything that you WANT.

In verse 33, the obvious answer to the rhetorical question is "no one". That's because God justified believers. They can't be sentenced to Hell because the Just One has already paid the penalty for their sins. They can't be kept out of Heaven because God has imputed righteousness to them and declared them legally SINLESS in His sight.

In verse 34, Satan tries to condemn believers but can't make anything stick because the Lord Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of God interceding for them. The following verse substantiates:

1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Let's look at a verse that testifies to the impossibility of being separated from the love of Christ as stated in verse 35:

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father's hand.

That was the case BEFORE Christ's crucifixion and resurrection when no one was in Christ's BODY. Now consider the condition of the believer who lives IN CHRIST'S BODY under the protection of the LIVING Saviour.

Verse 36 is a quote from Psalm 44:22 which is a tribulation passage. As such it doctrinally applies to Jews, God's sheep, being killed by the Antichrist and his followers. Paul applies the verse to members of the body of Christ. Christians living in "free" nations have difficulty relating to this verse but rest assured that we have brothers and sisters in Christ who DO live out this verse in their ministries. They "suffer with him".

In verse 37, we see the love of Christ conquering "all things".

Now, let's conclude our Romans 8 study with verses 38 and 39, the two great verses concerning eternal security. First, we see that Paul is "persuaded" and confident concerning eternal security. Here is the confirming verse:

2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Contrary to the "soul sleep" doctrine, "DEATH" can not separate us from the love of God.

Good angels, like Michael and Gabriel wouldn't separate us from the love of God and Lucifer and his followers CAN NOT separate us from the love of God.

"Principalities" and "powers" whether physical or spiritual can kill you BODY but they CAN NOT separate you from the love of God.

Neither "things present" nor "things to come" can separate you from the love of God. TIME can take away both good and bad things from you, but it CAN NOT separate you from the love of God.

Let's summarize with some reasons why the salvation of the believer is secure:

1. the election of the Father. There is no doctrine of un-election or un-sealing of believers.
2. the union with Christ. Believers are IN CHRIST.
3. salvation is a free gift. Believers do NOTHING to earn it and can do nothing to lose it. "The gifts and calling of God are without repentance" (Romans 11:29).
4. the interceding of the Lord Jesus Christ.
5. the keeping "by the power of God" (1 Peter 1:5).
6. the righteousness of a sinless man. Believers have the imputed righteousness of Christ. It isn't theirs to lose.
7. the keeping to fulfill the eternal purpose of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 17:11-12, 24)

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