Romans - October 26, 2008

SECTION --- Four: Sanctification (6:1-8:39) .
(continued from previous Class Follow Up)

OBSERVATION (8:14)
Those belonging to God are lead by the Holy Spirit, not feelings, emotions, or desires (be they good or bad) of the flesh. If one ceases to walk in the sphere of Holy Spirit influenced they cease being a son of God, even if they have been baptized to receive remission of their sins.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — What does being led by the Holy Spirit mean?
1. Allowing your inward man to be influenced by the Holy Spirit and not be influenced by the outward man. Also means the inward man, as influenced by the Holy Spirit, will influence the outward man to be righteous (serve God).
a. Tools used by the inward man (spirit) for making decisions are: Memory, Reason, Contemplations, Perception, and Judgment.
b. Tools used by the outward man (flesh) for making decisions are: Sight, Hear, Taste, Touch, Smell.
E. Conclusion — At Rom 8:1 we are told there is no condemnation for those having chose to be “in Christ” (those influenced by Christ). At Rom 8:14 we are told those led by the Holy Spirit, not by the desires of the flesh, are sons of God. To these followers of Christ Paul does not discuss the specific means of being led by the Holy Spirit other than mankind has a choice of being influenced by the Holy Spirit or by the desires of the flesh.

XIII. {Rom 8:15-16} Third Argument — Assurance of the relationship (The Spirit’s testimony)
A. Introduction
1. Review — The rectorial question (?) of Rom 6:1-2 has as its foundation Paul’s position justification is by grace, not by any law of merit; including the Law of Moses (Rom 5:15). Those adherents to the concept only a law of merit (Law of Moses) can prevent a person from continuing in sin have suggest without the LOM people will continue to sin because they can. Paul’s position is grace is the means to be Justified before God and grace is also the means to be Sanctified, live a life where sin is not the master, sin is not the standard to be followed. Paul has shown those under a law of merit are not truly free from the guilt of sin — the only way to be free is by the way of Christ (Rom 7:24-25). To this place in Romans 8 Paul has presented two arguments to support his position they are sanctified because they have received Divine help: 1) (8:1-4) Thanks to Jesus Christ there is no condemnation, 2) (8:5-14) Sons of God are led by the Holy Spirit.
2. Preview — (Rom 8:15-16) What the Holy Spirit does for the sons of God (8:14).
B. Question For Discussion?
1. How can those freed from the law of merit know, during trying struggles and conflicts, they are God’s children, thus, not be “wretched”?
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. (8:15) PONDER: Are they son of God because they received the Spirit?
a. No. They are son of God by faith and because they are sons they receive the Spirit (Gal 4:6; Rom 3:21-26; 6:3-4)
2. (8:15) Does the word “again” have significance, if so, what is the significance?
a. The “wretched man” (7:24) was fearful for he was failing to earn salvation by living “right”, but those in Christ do not live in fear for their salvation is based on what Christ has done not what they have done (earned).
3. (8:15) What does Paul mean when he says they received — i.e., how do they receive what they receive, did they have a choice?
a. “received” = G2983; lambano; to take, to receive. Indicative — a positive assertion; Aorist — action taken in the past; Active — action accomplished by the subject of the verb.
b. Little “s” is best for the readers chose and took the type of spirit (attitude, inward man) they wanted, it was not forced upon them. The gospel was presented to them and they chose to accept it or reject it. They could chose to be adopted or remain in bondage. (cf. Act 13:46) (Rom 1:16; 5:1).

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A LOOK AHEAD
4. (8:15) What is the significance of crying out, “Abba! Father!?
a.
(OBSERVATION 8:15)
Those in (influenced by) Christ are not wretched, are not filled with fear, for they have a spirit (inward man, attitude) of adoption as God’s son not of fear as a slave to the flesh (outward) as does the man of Rom 7:24 — those under a law of merit.
5. (8:16) PONDER: Readers are called sons of God at 8:14, but children of God here, is there any significance of so what is it?
a.
6. (8:16) What does “beareth witness with” or “testifies with” mean?
a.
7. (8:16) Does this knowledge help the man of Rom 7:24 and if so how does it help?
a.
8. (8:16) PONDER: How does the Holy Spirit bear witness with, not to, the reader’s spirit?
a.
9. (8:16) PONDER: How does the reader’s spirit bear witness with the Holy Spirit?
a.
(OBSERVATION 8:16)
Informs why the readers can know (have confidence) they are not wretched, i.e., the Holy Spirit testifies with their inward man they are set free — they are God’s children.

D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — How can those freed from the law of merit know, during trying struggles and conflicts, they are God’s children, thus, not be “wretched”?
1.
E. Conclusion —

XIV. {Rom 8:17-25} Fourth Argument — In hope we have been saved
A. Introduction
1. Review — This section (Rom 6:1- 8:39) begins with the question, “If one is saved by grace what would motivated then to not continue serving Sin?” The foundation for this question is Paul’s (Jesus the Christ’s) position humans are justified by grace, not law of merit. Paul is showing those in Christ (those influenced by Christ) do not require any law of merit to make them serve Christ, i.e., not serve sin. Paul shows an obligation to any law of merit does not really set a person free from sin (Rom 7:24). The man at Romans 7:24 is either a Christian trying to pleased God using a law of merit or a non-Christian trying to please God by a law of merit, but failing. The man recognizes it is not his efforts that set him free from sin but Christ’s efforts (Rom 7:25). In Romans 8 the readers are presented with seven arguments supporting the position Christian have Deity’s help in their battle with Sin for their eternal soul. Three arguments have been presented: 1) Thanks to Christ there is no condemnation; 2) Sons of God are led by the Holy Spirit; 3) Holy Spirit’s assurance they are children of God.
2. Preview — (8:17-25) Fourth argument is Deity’s assurance, during suffering, of the hope of redemption from this present world into the glories of Heaven. Does not discuss the why of suffering but the dealing with suffering — the not giving up while suffering.
B. Question For Discussion?
1. How can the Justified endure suffering?
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. (8:17) What class or type of suffering is being addressed?
a.
2. (8:17) How does one suffer with Christ? (cf. 2TI 3:10-12}
a.
(OBSERVATION 8:17)
As children the readers are heirs of God, thus, will suffer with and be glorified with Christ.
3. (8:18) Does Paul’s “reckon” or consider” carry any weight on what is of value or worth — if so why?
a.
4. (8:18) While suffering has little worth it does have a purpose, consider: 2CO 4:17; JAM 1:2-3; 1Pe 1:6-7)
a.
(OBSERVATION 8:18)
Paul, a man inspired by the Holy Spirit, a man having seen and heard things he cannot tell, says heaven far surpasses what this life offers — it would be foolhardy to reject his testimony because I have not seen or heard it first hand.
5. (8:19) What is the meaning of “earnest expectation” [“anxious longing”]?
a.
6. (8:19) What is the meaning of “creation” or “creature”?
a.
7. Who are “the sons of God”?
a.
(OBSERVATION 8:19)
Staying with the context of why one is no longer wretched because of Christ the creation’s response assures the justified (the ex-wretched) heaven is worth the suffering.
8. {ROM 8:20-23} Four views or positions regarding (what it is) “the creation that anticipates” the revealing and deliverance of the sons of God considered...
a. Millennialist view of the creation – Earth will be made new when Christ returns and sets up His earthly (physical) kingdom...
(1) Scriptures clearly show kingdom (abstract noun meaning “rule”) now exits and there will not be a physical kingdom (concrete noun) set up [Mar 9:1; Act 2:30,33; Col 1:13; et al.].
(2) Scriptures teach the earth will be destroyed when Christ returns [2Pe 3:1-13; Rev 21:1] — Time, Space, Mass cease.
b. The creation is the unredeemed portion of humanity...
(1) Not likely for the unredeemed will not be “set free...into freedom of glory”. [8:21]
(2) This portion of humanity will be delivered into condemnation [Joh 5:29; Heb 10:27], thus, they are not “waiting eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God” [8:19]
c. The creation is the church...
(1) {8:19,23} Creation is a group separate from “sons of God”.
(a) (8:23) “firstfruits” does not mean ones who first receive fruits (Apostles) , but those receiving “best fruit” — those receiving salvation (sons of God) [1Co 15:20; Col 1:18].
d. The creation is the personification of the physical creation...
(1) Creation longing for time when its purpose has been served...
(a) {Cf. 8:20 w/ GEN 3:17-18} Adam’s sin had a negative impact on creation — this globe is in physical turmoil.
(b) {PSA 114:1-8} Earth’s reaction when Israel left Egypt.
(c) Also see {PSA 96:12; 98:8} & [Isa 35:1; 55:12].
(2) When all of God’s children leave this “vail of tears” to enter the spiritual Promise Land the rejoicing will surpass rejoicing when God’s children left Egyptian bondage to enter physical Promise Land for the spiritual is superior to the physical
(OBSERVATION 8:20-23)
View four (d) seems to have less problems than the other three views.
9. (8:24) What is the meaning of “hope” as used here?
a.
10. (8:24) What, in this place, is meant by seen and sees?
a.
11. PONDERING: What is there about “the hope” (redemption) that prevents it from being in the possession of a Christian at this time. (Consider the realm of the Christians and the realm of the hope.)
a.
12. (8:24) Considering 8:23 as the reason or foundation for 8:24, what is “not “hope”? What is “hope”?
a.
(OBSERVATION 8:24)
Suffering does not damping the Christian’s positive confidence in their unseen, but promised, salvation (redemption).
13. (8:25) What is the meaning of “patience” as used here?
a.
14. (8:25) What, as used here, is the meaning of “wait”?
a.
15. (8:25) What is the “it”?
a.
(OBSERVATION 8:25)
Informs why those in Christ, led by the Spirit, testified by the Spirit as being children have positive confidence in the “hope” — are actively looking forward to the promised glory, the released from their physical bodies.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — How can the Justified endure suffering?
E. Conclusion —

XV. {Rom 8:26-27} Fifth Argument — He intercedes