There are some chapters of the Bible that are simply brimming with awesome truths and comforts. Romans 8 is one of them for the next little while we'll go through the chapter in "microbyte" style.
My Study Bible has a diagram that explains the structure of Romans as describing a series of concentric cages, each with a "gospel gate" to escape.
The innermost cage is sin-guilt, the simple fact that we have sinned and come before God with a "criminal record" that we can't wipe out. Romans 5:1 (being justified by faith in Christ) is our gateway out.
The second cage is our broken tendencies and our habits. Paul describes this dilemma very effectively in Romans 7 where he laments that the good he should he doesn't and what he shouldn't he does! He ends the chapter asking "Who will rescue me from the wretched man that I am?"
Romans 8 is the gateway from the second cage as it describes the transforming power of the Spirit. This is what we are going to focus on.
(For those who are curious, don't like loose-ends and prefer to get closure (i'm like that too) the third cage is about the perception that the gospel is only for the Jews and Paul opens that cage door in Romans 10.)
So, Romans 8 starts off by addressing the fact that even though we are forgiven, we still keep doing the wrong things and we don't always do what is right.
It's an awesome chapter because it describes the phenomenal life-giving work of the Spirit of Life who sets us free from the law of our broken human nature.
I'm looking forward to the journey...
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
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