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STUDY OF ROMANS 8

CHARLES e. WHISNANT

OCTOBER 23, 2011 #45.93

This chapter puts the capstone on the doctrine portion of the book.

Vividly setting forth the life of triumph, the chapter begins with “no condemnation” and ends with “no separation,” and in between there is “no defeat.”

The word of the Holy Spirit is introduction. The Holy Spirit is referred to 19 times.

Lloyd Jones points out:

If you are reading Romans 8:1 in the KJV (translated from the Greek Textus Receptus) you will note the added phrase

o "who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." The Nestle-Aland and Westcott and Hort Greek texts do not consider this phrase as legitimate. It

is probable that a copyist inadvertently picked up the phrase from Romans 8:4 which has the identical wording. Can you see how this additional phrase leads to a slightly different interpretation of "no condemnation"? Paul is not basing his declaration of no condemnation upon our conduct, but upon our position (in Christ). While it is true that those who are in Christ should not and do not consistently walk according to the flesh, this is not a condition for their status of "no condemnation" and for that we thank our merciful Father for the wisdom and perfection of His plan of salvation.

Paul picks up this teaching from the end of Romans 5. It is as if Paul puts chapter six and seven in parenthesis ( ) and picks up here in chapter 8. We are going to see this in our understanding of “THEREFORE.” A bit later we will see this.

In Romans 7, believers are shown to be identified with Christ in His representative death to the Law. In Romans 8 we encounter the positive side of the two preceding chapters, for now we are introduced to the power Who can meet the two requirements, the Holy Spirit. Without the aid of the Holy Spirit we are slaves to indwelling sin.

Therefore (686) (ara)

Is an inferential particle (denoting logical inference (conclusion drawn from evidence or reasoning) marking transition to what naturally follows from proceeding.

It can be translated so, then, consequently. Ara intimates that, under these circumstances something is so (no condemnation). Therefore means consequently and thus introduces a logical result from what precedes. See also term of conclusion.

This combination of "ara nun" is used numerous times in Romans 5:18; 7:3; 7:25; 8:12; 9:16; 14:12; 14:19

1 Romans 8 outline Charles e Whisnant, Pastor-Teacher

The two particles together strengthen each other and indicate a conclusion drawn with immediate force from what has just been said. Paul is making a contrast between the life of the man dominated by his human nature and the life of the believer under the control of God’s Spirit.

Lloyd Jones said this as well.o There is therefore…puts us immediately on to the right track. It is a connecting link. o The Apostle is drawing an inference, a deduction from something that has gone before,o So we must first discover the exact reference of the term.o In light of what has been spoken already by Paul, how are we to interpret the word?

As Charles Hodges says: the inference is not from 7:14-25. There is no natural connection. But if found in chapter five. Not in chapter six or seven. But links up with chapter 5.

o Where there is another “Therefore” “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” By whom we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, rejoice in hope of the glory of God.“

o Which Paul has said Therefore being justified by faith….. we have peace with God.”o And here in 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ

Jesus.”

Now (3568) (nun)

Is more of a temporal marker (than an indicator of logical consequences) with focus on the moment, at the present time.

No condemnation when? Right now and forever! This benefit was affected the moment you accepted Christ as your Savior. The "now" contrasts the believer's new state with the old, which had passed away

CONDEMNATION (2631) (katakrima from katá = against, down + kríno

= basic meaning was "to separate" from which the idea of discriminate, distinguish, and then to judge or pronounce sentence against) appears only in Romans, here and in Romans 5:16, 18.

The idea literally is of judgment coming down on someone. Paul says God’s judgment is not going to come down upon you, not now, not ever! From the valley of despair and defeat of living under the Law in Romans 7, the apostle now climbs the heights with the triumphant shout, "No condemnation" because of the believer's justification by faith. Those in Christ are not condemned, because Christ was condemned in their stead. There is no punishment for them, because Christ bore their punishment.

It is notable that no condemnation is essentially the opposite of justification.

The word "condemnation" may also be translated "judgment." There is no judgment for those who are in Christ because sin has already been judged in the substitutionary atonement of Jesus.

Means to judge someone as definitely guilty and thus subject to punishment, which accounts for the literal translation of "adverse judgment and resultant punishment".

It is a legal technical term for the result of judging, including both the sentence and the execution or the sentence followed by a suggested punishment (The suffix -ma makes it the result of judgment).

Is always an adverse verdict.


Stated another way (condemnation) relates to the sentencing for a crime, but its primary focus is not so much on the verdict as on the penalty that the verdict demands.

Means freedom not only from sin’s guilt but also from its enslaving power. To be sure, a distinction must be drawn between justification and sanctification. But this

distinction must never become a separation. Calvin has made this clear by stating, “As Christ cannot be divided, so also these two

blessings which we receive together in him are also inseparable” (Institutes III, xi, 6). In line with this twofold reference of the words “no condemnation” is the phrase “in Christ

Jesus

What Paul is saying is that for those who not only forensically are in Christ Jesus—the guilt of their sins having been removed by his death—but also spiritually—the sanctifying influences of his Spirit dominating their lives, there is now (= consequently) no condemnation. For them there is justification and therefore salvation full and free...Justification and sanctification always go together

It is the unspeakable privilege and comfort of all those that are in Christ Jesus that there is therefore now no condemnation to them.

He does not say, "There is no accusation against them,’’ for this there is; but the accusation is thrown out, and the indictment quashed.

He does not say, "There is nothing in them that deserves condemnation,’’ for this there is, and they see it, and own it, and mourn over it, and condemn themselves for it; but it shall not be their ruin.

He does not say, "There is no cross, no affliction to them or no displeasure in the affliction,’’ for this there may be; but no condemnation.

They may be chastened of the Lord, but not condemned with the world. Now this arises from their being in Christ Jesus; by virtue of their union with Him through faith they are thus secured. They are in Christ Jesus, as in their city of refuge, and so are protected from the avenger of blood. He is their Advocate, and brings them off. There is therefore no condemnation, because they are interested in the satisfaction that Christ by dying made to the law. In Christ, God does not only not condemn them, but is well pleased with them, Matthew 17:5.

In Galatians 3:13-14 Paul explains why there is now "no condemnation" writing that

"Christ redeemed (paid the ransom price to free) us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us-- for it is written "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"-- in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."

Although writing primarily to those in Israel who would be saved, the following truth applies to all who by faith are in Christ, Isaiah 54:17.


THE ETERNAL SECURITY OF THE BELIEVERS IN ROMANS 8THE SEVENFOLD FOUNDATION OF ROMANS EIGHT SUPPORTING

THE BELIEVERS SECURITYCharles e Whisnant, October 31, 2011Romans 8 Overview of the chapter

1A THERE IS NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE IN CHRIST: 1-42A THE SPIRIT HAS REGENERATED, IS SANCTIFIYING AND WILL RESURRECT THEM:

5-113A THEY ARE NOW THE CHILDREN OF GOD AND FELLOW HEIRS WITH CHRIST: 12-174A THEY ARE SUSTAIANED THROUGH AFFLICTIONS BY HOPE AND THE HELP OF THE

SPIRIT: 18-285A THEY HAVE BEEN PREDESTINED TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF GOD’S SON:

29-306A GOD IS FOR THEM. HE GAVE HIS SON TO DIE FOR THEM. THEREFORE, WHO IS TO

CONDEMN THEM? 31-347A NOTHING CAN SEPARATE THEM FROM THE INFINITE AND UNCHANGEABLE LOVE OF

GOD IN CHRIST JESUS: 33-39

LET’S TAKE A GENERAL SURVEY AT ROMANS EIGHT.

Everything that is in chapter eight has been already been hinted at. What we are going to see is the outworking, the exposition, the amplification, of what Paul has already stated in germ and in embryo.

The main theme of Romans eight is the security of the Christian, the absolute certainty of the “final perseverance” of the saints, and the ultimate, complete and entire salvation of every one who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ.

PAUL OPENS CHAPTER EIGHT WITH A GENERAL STATEMENT OF WHAT IS TRUE OF THE CHRISTIAN BELIEVER IN JESUS CHRIST AS HIS LORD AND SAVIOR.

“THERE IS THEREFORE NOW NO CONDEMNATION TO THEM THAT ARE IN CHRIST JESUS.”

FIRST PROOF OF OUR ETERNAL SALVATION: 8:2-44 Romans 8 outline Charles e Whisnant, Pastor-Teacher

SECOND PROOF OF OUR SECURITY OF SALVATION: 8:5-13

THIRD PROOF OF OUR SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER: 8:14-17

FOURTH PROOF THAT WE WILL NEVER LOSE OUR STATUS WITH CHRIST: 8:18-2

FIFTH PROOF OF OUR ASSURANCE THAT SALVATION WILL BE FOREVER FOR THE BELIEVER: 8:26-34

SIXTH: THE ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY OF OUR SECURE SALVATION 8:35-39

Salvation is By Faith Alone in Jesus; and Not WorksGENUINE BELIEVERS CANNOT LOSE GOD’S SALVATION.

EIGHT VERSES ABOUT ETERNAL SALVATION

1. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. John 10:27-29.

2. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 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. Romans 8:35-39

3. Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

4. Who are kept by the power of God through faith . . . I Peter 1:5 5. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Romans

11:296. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me, I

will in no wise cast out. John 6:37 7. And this is the Father's will who hath sent me, that all of which he

hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again on the last day. John 6:39

8. In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14


IN CHRIST WE ARE FOREVER SECURE WITH CHRISTRomans 8:1 http://riversofjoybaptist.wordpress.com/2011/11/06/romans-81-manuscript-charles-e-whisnant-11-096-11/

Charles e Whisnant, November 06 20111 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ

Jesus:

Why: “Therefore there is…”The word “therefore” serves to tie the proceeding seven chapters with chapter 8 by serving as a link to

everything that Paul has established. In the original this is very emphatic, indicating that what he is about to say is extremely important.

When: “Now…”

For the born-again believer there is assurance that there will be no judgment to come in the future but I want you to notice that we can and should experience this assurance right now in the present. Therefore there is today no condemnation. If you are redeemed then right now, at this very moment you are secure. One pastor put it this way: “No condemnation means there is neither judgment from God on me, nor annoyance with God with respect to me—neither on the last day nor today!”

What: “No condemnation…”

The word “condemn” comes from two Greek words; one which means “down” and the other which means “to judge.” Literally it means to “judge down” and was used of the Roman emperor as he sat on a throne when prisoners were brought before him. As he heard their cases he would either “judge down” or “judge up

The judgment we deserved settled on the Savior and now God’s blessings “rain down” on us. God has a gavel of grace for the believer as He pronounces this verdict: “No condemnation – you are now a saint, not a sinner; you are not unrighteous because I have declared you righteous.”

Note the words “NOW” 686 and “NO” 3762

A little two letter word “NO”. That little word has a wonderful meaning in this context. Mean “it is entire, it is complete, it is absolute.

Not even one shall be condemned to hell who is in Christ Jesus.

“Not even one therefore now adverse judgment and resultant punishment to those in Christ Jesus.”

FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS toia en Christo lesou

We need to ask: ‘WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?


http://riversofjoybaptist.wordpress.com/2011/11/06/romans-81-manuscript-charles-e-whisnant-11-096-11/

1. The Christian says someone, is a man who had decided Christ, the Christian is a man who has decided to go in for the Christian life, decided to join the church? The Christian one who has believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, and so his sins are forgiven?

2. Well, those are good and true, but it is not a true definition of a Christian.Okay what is a good definition of a Christian?

Paul gives us one good definition: “A Christian is one who is “in Christ Jesus.”

When God justifies an unbeliever while he is still ungodly, God not only justifies a person but he puts him “IN CHRIST”.

So what does it mean “IN CHRIST”?Jesus gives us an illustration in John 15:1-17 Jesus Is the True Vine.

Our being in Him, drawing life out of Him in a way that every part of my body is dependent upon my head. Such is our relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ.

HOW DOES THIS PROVE IT? Paul tells us in chapter 6. Verses 1-6 (read) Again in 7:1-4. We are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. Folks that seals your relationship as a Christian to the Lord Jesus Christ.

As Christ has risen to this new life with God, in all His perfection, so my union with Him guarantees that I shall eventually be perfect, I shall be glorified, I shall be “without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.” Jude 24 is true

(A FOOTNOTE: It is however worth noting that deliverance from divine condemnation does not mean deliverance from divine discipline.

"It is impossible for a man to be a Christian without having Christ, and if he has Christ, he has at the same time all that is in Christ.

What gives peace to the conscience is that by faith our sins are no more ours, but Christ’s, upon whom God hath laid them all; and that, on the other hand, all Christ’s righteousness is ours, to whom God hath given it.

Christ lays His hand upon us, and we are healed. He casts His mantle upon us, and we are clothed; for He is the glorious Savior, blessed for ever... Martin Luther said

To be in Christ Jesus is to be one with Him, as united to Him by faith. Those and those only who are the one with Him are the persons to whom there is no condemnation. All who are not in Christ Jesus are under the law and its curse. Robert Haldane

THEREFORE, THERE IS NOW NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST


GROWBYLEARING.COM and riversofjoybaptist.wordpress.com/2011/11/06/754/

ROMANS CHAPTER EIGHT AND VERSE TWOCharles e Whisnant, Pastor-Teacher

“THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS HATH MADE YOU FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH”November 13th 2011 #97

I am hoping when I give understanding of the words that I can help us understand the whole verse, and how it fits into Paul’s overall thinking and the point that what he is trying to make.

In order to produce a good interpretation we are going look at the words as Paul said them. Paul in verse two is going to give us reasons for his statement in verse one is true.

FOR:1063 HO GAR

The purpose of verse two is to give us a reason for verse one. And FOR reminds us that verse one is not a detached statement. There is a reason for, an explanation of, what has just been said. You could use the word “BECAUSE.”

FOR THE LAW 3551

How can we use the term “law” possibly mean that he is talking about the gospel, or the way of salvation by faith, as over against an attempt to justify ourselves by works under the law?

"The "law of the Spirit of life" has invaded and opposed "the law of sin which is in my members" thus freeing us from its bondage We cannot obey God's law in the strength of the flesh, but as we reckon (that is, deliberately acknowledge) ourselves to be dead to sin and "alive unto God this doctrinal truth increasingly becomes practical truth in our lives."

OF THE SPIRIT4151 OF LIFE 2222

KJV reads “hath made me free” . What the Apostle Paul wrote: Which Paul was meaning here was “it happened “once and for ever’.


The point here is the law of the Spirit freed me’ – made me free. It is not hath made” but ‘made’. It has already happened ‘once and for ever’ it is completed; it belongs to the past.

And again the word “me” should be “you” Paul is writing about the Christian generally, and not about himself. That anyone who is a Christian.

Which means: The work of the Holy Spirit in the Believer.

Romans 8:10-11; John 4:10,14; 6:63; I Corinthians 15:45; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Revelation 11:11; 22:1;

What I want to accomplish today is to learn what it means to have the life of the Spirit in the believer! And that the Holy Spirit produces entire sanctification, or what is called the “second blessing.”

Some on to teach that this “work of the Spirit” is the second work in the believer after salavation.

In the process of salvation, God implants in us a new law for a new life. “The spirit of life.” Here is given the believer upon the New Birth, a “Spirit who quickeneth” John 6:63 and it is the Spirit who gives life.

IN1722 CHRIST5547 JESUS 2424

HATH MADE YOU FREE (1659/3165) (eleutheroo = the ending " -oo"

Means not only will it be set free but it will be seen as set free) . Means to cause someone to be freed from domination. The picture is that of the emancipation of slaves. The idea is that the one set free is at liberty, capable of movement, exempt from obligation or liability,

and unfettered. Although the act of setting free results in freedom and liberty we must understand that this new freedom

is not a license to sin. In fact true liberty for the believer is now living as we should and not as we please.

In short, the Spirit, Who brought the life of God Himself into us, has set us free from the power of our flesh and free to be the person God wants us to be.

“FREE FROM THE LAW 3551 OF SIN 266 AND DEATH”2288

The law of sin is that principle in us that pulls us downward into death and that used to control and condemn us

This is Romans 6 in a nutshell. Paul presents two opposite laws or principles. The characteristic principle of the Holy Spirit is to empower believers for holy living. The characteristic principle of indwelling sin is to drag a person down to death. It is like the law of gravity. When you throw a ball into the air, it comes back down because it is heavier than the air it displaces. A living bird is also heavier than the air it displaces, but when you toss it up in the air, it flies away. The law of life in the bird overcomes the law of gravity. So the Holy Spirit supplies the risen life of the Lord Jesus, making the believer free from the law of sin and death.


SOUND DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION AND THE SPIRIT OF LIFE

THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE

"For the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."—Romans 8:2 November 20 2011 Charles e Whisnant #98

That communicated power must impart life. Nothing short of a Spirit of life, quick and powerful, with an immortal and intense energy will avail to meet the need. Such a Spirit must give the life which it possesses, must quicken and bring into action dormant powers in the spirit that it would free. It must implant new energies and directions, new motives, desires, tastes, and tendencies. It must bring into play mightier attractions to neutralize and deaden existing ones; as when to some chemical compound a substance is added which has a stronger likeness for one of the elements, a new thing is made.

Most of the 21st century church despises doctrine. They simply hate to learn. They would much rather “feel” their way through a church service than listen to sound preaching. It may not necessarily be that they hate to learn, as if everyone hated such a thing (something they engage in every moment of every day) but surely their disability to think properly lends to their incapability to sit through a preaching service of two hours. (And such a length of time was not uncommon in the puritan era – as a matter of fact, many were just getting started at that point.)

I suppose that it would be politically correct to say they are “mentally challenged.” We often use this phrase as a joke, but when it concerns the everlasting abode of the never dying soul and the theology they believe, then it is no laughing matter. This is not something profound or new. Far be it for a modern congregation to heartily cling to sound doctrine and teaching in this day and age of relative thought and its strategy towards the dissolution of absolute truth.

If you are among the remnant of God who has been so blessed to find a biblically sound church, peace be unto to, and happiness be granted to your soul by the Lord Jesus!

But for the rest of the church, they are steeped in false doctrine taught by false “prophets.” Ignorance is not bliss here. Most of the time the church has lent itself to this rejection of truth because they have not learned how to think. People simply do not have the skills to think rightly. Ask them what the law of non-contradiction is and


they could not tell you, though they follow it all day long. But their long settled ignorance affords no excuse to beginning anew even now. The saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is not true for the Christian walk. The Christian should be learning about the Lord Jesus and the doctrines of the Bible every day.

Doctrine of Justification

The doctrine of justification by faith declares that God makes available as a gift a new mode of existence, a new lifestyle, and enables believers to act in such a way that their actions correspond to those of Jesus.” 6 This does not mean that Christian ethics is justification. The only means by which the sinner is justified before God rests solely upon the imputation of the activity obedience and passive obidence of Jesus Christ to a sinner, and subsequently God’s just declaration of the sinner’s soteriological state based on the work of Christ. It is this justification that makes Christian ethics possible.

Justification is the work of God where the righteousness of Jesus is reckoned to the sinner so the sinner is declared by God as being righteous under the Law (Rom. 4:3; 5:1,9; Gal. 2:16; 3:11). This righteousness is not earned or retained by any effort of the saved. Justification is an instantaneous occurrence with the result being eternal life. It is based completely and solely upon Jesus' sacrifice on the cross (1 Pet. 2:24) and is received by faith alone (Eph. 2:8-9). No works are necessary whatsoever to obtain justification. Otherwise, it is not a gift (Rom. 6:23). Therefore, we are justified by faith (Romans 5:1).

Sanctification is the processes of set apart for God's work and being conformed to the image of Christ. This conforming to Christ involves the work of the person. But it is still God working in the believer to produce more of a godly character and life in the person who has already been justified (Phil. 2:13). Sanctification is not instantaneous because it is not the work of God alone. The justified person is actively involved in submitting to God's will, resisting sin, seeking holiness, and working to be more godly (Gal. 5:22-23). Significantly, sanctification has no bearing on justification. That is, even if we don't live a perfect life, we are still justified.

The righteousness, on the basis of which sinners are declared righteous before God is alien to them and proper to Christ: it is nothing but his obedience for his people imputed to sinners and received through faith that trusts in Christ and his finished work.

The saints are righteous because God decrees them to be righteous. Because the decree is eschatological, and its full actualization is not evident, "we think a man is "not yet" (nondum) righteous, but (at best) only on his way toward righteousness.

In the preached gospel, the sinner hears the voice of Christ. The word comes from outside and faith itself comes from outside; it reciprocally reaches outside of the sinner, even after infusion, in order to justify the sinner.

To "become just, to be, and to remain just is sola misericordia." What justifies us is perfect righteousness that opposes death and absorbs God's wrath for us. No mere human is capable of such righteousness and it could never be intrinsic to us. Therefore it is by God's gracious reputation that the sinner is righteous. Only after that standing, is one righteous and said to produce the fruits of righteousness. Even these fruits are only external work and righteousness, which God requires and rewards, but this is not righteousness before God but evidence of justification before others. The ground of justification is Christ's alien righteousness presumed to the sinner, and faith is the medium by which one apprehends Christ and his foreign righteousness. In both disputes, he turned to intrinsic categories only when considering the sanctity that flows from justification.

Based on the requirements of the Law, it is not enough that Christ dies for the sins of His people. To die and cleanse sinners from their sin is to set them at ground zero. At that point redeemed sinners still continue to sin. As Luther said, they are piles of dung covered in gold. The remnants of remaining sin and the filthiness of the flesh still war with the Spirit (Gal. 5:17). They must also have a covering that continues to infinitely expiate their sin before the holy justice of God; otherwise, justification becomes analytic and not synthetic. Analytic justification is the Roman Catholic belief where God looks both at the sinner and the Savior and justifies them based on what Christ did and what the sinner continues to do. Synthetic justification is the biblical formulation where God


http://biblia.com/bible/kjv1900/Gal.%205.17

http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Gal.%205.22-23

http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Phil.%202.13

http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Romans%205.1

http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Rom.%206.23

http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Eph.%202.8-9

http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/1%20Pet.%202.24

http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Gal%203.11

http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Gal.%202.16

http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Rom%205.9

http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Rom%205.1

http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Rom.%204.3

recognizes Christ’s work, both the obedentia activa and obedentia passiva, and declares the sinner just as a result of them both. .

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.

CHARLES e. WHISNANT Pastor-TeacherNOVEMBER 26, 2011 #99 in Romans

ROMANS CHAPER EIGHT VERSE EIGHT

HOW GOD CONDEMNED SINMen since the Fall of Adam have had two problems they may wish to be able to work out: One: That he should be directed to know how to hate the sin into which he has fallen and then secondly: To love the purity and holiness from which he has become separated or is at odds with.

SO IF MAN WAS NOT GOING TO KEEP THE PERFECT LAW OF GOD, NOR COULD HE BECAUSE HE HAD A WEAK, EVIL, BAD NATURE, AND JUST WAS MORE REBELIOUS AND OBSTINATED SO PLEASE TELL ME WHAT GOD WAS GOING TO DO THAT HE LAW COULD NOT DO?

How was God going to intervene by His grace what His Law could not do. Note again Romans 8:3

FOR: to gar:

Every time you see a "for" at the beginning of a sentence always stop and ask what is it there "for"?

This verse which stresses the sacrificial work of Christ explains how we were set free and why there is therefore no condemnation.

Believers are set free from the law of sin and death and are made alive by the law of the Spirit of life because of what Jesus Christ has done for them.

The work of the Spirit in sanctification, referred to in verse two, is itself grounded in the work of redemption.

Paul is once again emphasizing the impossibility of attaining freedom over Sin (and the flesh) through the instrumentality of the Law. Radical action is the only cure and Paul goes on to explain that our freedom was made possible only through the almighty Cross of Christ

WHAT THE LAW COULD NOT DO: to gar adunaton tou nomou:

Rendered literally Paul describes “the impossible (thing) of the law." God condemned sin, which condemnation was an impossible thing on the part of the law. But note that "the impotence of the Law did not lie in itself; it lay in the material with which it had to work, man. Even a Rembrandt cannot produce a masterpiece on tissue paper."


Means impossible, without strength, powerless, incapable of being or of occurring, incapable of being done.

It describes that which is impotent or lacking capability in functioning adequately

The Law urges us intellectually to obey God, but it does not provide power for obedience.

"There are certain things that the law cannot do. 1. The law is just but it cannot justify 2. The law is holy but it cannot The law can tell me that I am a sinner but it can’t make me a

saint!

Why was the Law powerless to make a person righteous? It was powerless because of the flesh

"the mind set on the flesh (an unbeliever) is (always) hostile (at enmity, possessed of an attitude of hatred) toward God; for it does not (absolutely not ever) subject (bow the knee placing itself under the control of the Law of God) itself to the law of God, for it is (absolutely) not even (ever) able (it lacks the inherent power and capability) to do so"

WEAK AS IT WAS THROUGH THE FLESH: en e esthenei (3SIAI) dia tes sarkos:

The law of Moses could not justify us or sanctify us because it was weak through the flesh. The Law is good and holy, but since our flesh is weak and we are unable to keep the Law, the Law does not have the power to justify. Our depravity makes the law weak, or powerless to save.

GOD SENDING Sending (3992) (pempo)

Means to dispatch or send and was a verb used to describe messengers, agents, and ambassadors.

“HIS OWN SON” (literally "the Son of Himself")

Was dispatched on His redemptive mission at the behest of the Father.

IN THE LIKENSS (3667) (homoioma)

Means resemblance and in no way implies that one of the objects Although in His incarnation Christ became fully man, He took only the outward appearance of sinful flesh, because He was completely without sin (Philippians 2:7-8).

Jesus, as God, took on our human nature, a nature that was susceptible to temptation. Although He was tempted, He never gave in. He never sinned.

What Paul says is that Christ possessed genuine human flesh, but it Dr Ryrie agrees that the...The word "likeness" is crucial, for it indicates that Jesus was a true man but not a sinful


man

THE LAW IS PERFECT BUT CANNOT SAVE

Jesus Christ Was Perfect And Sin Was Forgiven

Exposition of Romans

Romans 8:1- 4 Sermon #100

Charles e Whisnant, December 04, 2011

“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 in the flesh. That the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:3, 4.

One person said: who was not a Baptist and had visited, and she said she was mad and glad at what she heard. Once a man had said to her: "If you become a Baptist, you can do anything you want and you won't lose your salvation."

THE Law of God is perfect. You cannot add anything to it, nor take a anything from it, without spoiling it. If you will read the Ten Commandments and understand them in their spiritual meaning, you will find that they are far reaching and that they deal with every sin.

But there are some things which the Law cannot do. It cannot produce a new heart in a sinner. It cannot save a lost soul. It cannot justify a guilty person. It cannot draw a wanderer back to God.

1. So the Law of God becomes weak through our weakness.2. The Law is also very useful because it shows us our deficiencies and

stains.3. The Law also serves another purpose—it reprimands us for our sin. 4. Again, the Law can tell you what you ought to do, but it gives no

inclination to do the right

The Law is weak in another way. It does not lend us any aid towards the fulfillment of its Commands. And when we have broken the Law of God, it brings no remedy.

Some men were trying to remove a large tree stump from their yard, and they were going to blast it out. (Illustration)

If the flesh of Jesus Christ was the LIKENESS OF SINFUL FLESH, there must be a difference between the appearance of sinful flesh and our nature, or flesh in its original state when Adam was


created.

Christ, then, was not made in the likeness of the flesh of man before sin entered the world, but in the

likeness of his fallen flesh.

CONDEMMED PUNISHED SIN IN THE FLESH —

Here, by the flesh is meant, not the body of Jesus Christ only, but His human nature.

In this sense the word flesh is used where it is said, ‘the Word was made flesh,’ — that is to say, was made man, and took our nature, composed of body and soul.

The nature and the person who suffered must also be distinguished. Respecting the person, it is Jesus Christ, God and man; as to the nature in which He suffered, it is in the flesh.

CONDEMNED SIN:. — Condemnation is here taken for the punishment of sin.

God punished sin in Christ’s human nature.

This is the method that God took to justify sinners.

It was God who, by His determinate counsel and foreknowledge, Acts 2:23, punished sin by inflicting those sufferings on Christ of which men were only the instruments.

Sin had corrupted the flesh of man, and in that very flesh it was condemned.

If we were to inquire into the cause that moved God to save us by such means, what can we say,

But that it proceeded from His incomprehensible wisdom, His indescribable goodness, and the unfathomable depth of His mercies?

o For what was there in man that could bring the Creator to act in this manner, since He saw nothing in him, after his rebellion by sin, but what was hateful and offensive?


The Difference Between Justification and Sanctification

Romans 8:3-4 #101

December 11, 2011 Charles e Whisnant, Pastor-Teacher-Theologian-Student

3For 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:

4That the righteousness1345 of the law3551 might be fulfilled4137 in us, who walk4043 not after the flesh2596, but after2596 the Spirit4151.

“So that the righteous requirement of the law to be satisfied of what the Law

demands and be performed in us, to those who do not live by fleshly ways but in a spiritual way.”

So that (In order that) (2443) (hina)

1B Is a purpose statement (purpose clause) clearly linking verse 4 with the truth Paul has just explained in 8:3 (In Greek verses 3 and 4 are in one sentence).

2B In short, he is explaining the purpose of the death of Christ, which is the fulfillment of the righteous requirement of the Law in believers who walk after the Spirit.

3B Now what is the relationship between this justified state and our being freed from the slavery of sin (sanctification)?

o Vs. 4 describes the fulfillment of the law “in us” (not just for us), and therefore refers to the real practical progress of sanctification (“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”).

o The logical relationship with vs. 3 (justification) is that vs. 4 (sanctification) results from and is the purpose of verse 3.

o “[God] condemned sin in the flesh (v 3b), so that the requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us. (8:4a)”


4B In other words, our union with Christ in His death for us secures our justification, which then leads, as a result, to our moral transformation , progressive sanctification.

The Requirement (1345) (dikaioma from dikaióo = to justify <> díkaios = just, righteous <> dike = right)

1B Refers to what God has declared to be right - His righteous demands. He is Holy and has the right to make righteous demands.

"Righteousness"1345 of the law3551 means "righteous requirements." The law has certain righteous requirements.

1B The law demands and requires that a person live a righteous life of loving God (perfectly) and loving one’s neighbor (perfectly).

2B How can I fulfill what the law requires? How can I keep the law? 1C The Person and Power of the Holy Spirit makes this possible.2C Note carefully that the verse does not say "by us", it says "in us"! 3C This is something God does IN ME by His power and by His Working and by

His Spirit!

3B The law requires that I LOVE GOD and LOVE MY NEIGHBOR. Matthew 22:36-40 These two commandments summarize not only the Ten Commandments but all of God’s commandments.

4B I cannot keep the law by trying to keep the law. A sinner cannot keep God’s holy law. It is

impossible. Even a "regenerated sinner" = a believer cannot do this.

5B "How to perform that which is good (the keeping of God’s law) I find not" Romans 7:18

The key to fulfilling the law is LOVE. Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:14. o The key to having LOVE is a Spirit-filled walk. Galatians 5:13-23 and Romans 8:4

The Spirit of God thus produces this LOVE in me. Galatians 5:22. I cannot but He can! If a person is walking according to the Spirit, then God is at work in Him producing

that righteous life. We are His workmanship Ephesians 2:10! It’s impossible for me, that is my flesh, to

keep God’s law. It’s impossible for God in me (when I allow Him to do His work) not to keep the law! What the flesh could never do, God can do

Might be fulfilled (4137) (pleroo) means satisfied, accomplished)

1B The Law demands and requires that a person live a righteous life of loving God (perfectly) and loving one’s neighbor (perfectly).

2B How can I fulfill what the law requires? How can I fulfill the law?

1C The Person and Power of the Holy Spirit makes this possible (The passive voice speaks of an external power, the "divine" passive = God's power).

2C In other words, this fulfillment or accomplishment is something God does in me by His power and by His Working and by His Spirit!


What God demands, we could not do. But praise God that what God demands, He supplies.

Who walk4043 not after the flesh2596, but after2596 the Spirit4151.1B Refers to the bent of life of the believer. He is the one who walks after the Spirit as the

pattern of his life; service of sin does not characterize him . Is the best biblical term for the believer's responsibility in the Christian life.

So my question is: How do we fulfill the requirement of the law? And specifically how can any of my "walking" by the Spirit – which is always imperfect in this life – be said to fulfill God's law which is holy and just and good. Since when does God's holy law and divine standard say, "Pretty good will do"? What I would like to do is answer this question summary of the relationship of the Christian to the Law in 12 Thesis so that we can clarify our overall position and then move ahead into Romans 8 without having to rebuild these things over and over.

Romans 8:4 The Christian to the Law

Charles e Whisnant, Pastor-Teacher-Learner

Rivers of Joy Baptist Church

January 01 2011 #102 Romans 8:4

12 Proposals

1A Proposal #1

Fulfilling the requirement of the law: refers to a life of real love for people.

Romans 13:8-10, Galatians 5:13-18, Matthew 7:12, Matthew 22:37-40

2A Proposal #2

Our fulfilling the law of love is not the grounds of our justification. It’s the fruit and evidence of being justified by faith.

Romans 3:24-25, 5:19; 8:3. 2 Corinthians 5:21

3A Proposal # 3

The loving of others is not due to our own strength but by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22, 5:13-16,

4A Proposal #4

Loving others through the Spirit by faith, i.e. by being satisfied with all that God is for us.

Galatians 3:5, 6, I Timothy 1:518 Romans 8 outline Charles e Whisnant, Pastor-Teacher

5A Proposal # 5

This loving others through the Spirit by faith is not a perfect love in this life.

Romans 7:15, 19, 23-25, Philippians 3:12

6A Proposal #6

By fulfilling this law we will become perfect when we die or at the Rapture of the Saints.

Romans 8:30; Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 12:22-23

7A While I will one day become perfected in love, we will not in our totality ever be a perfect one, because of our sinfulness. I will always need forgiveness and in need of an imputed righteousness from Christ.

8A The real direction of my life will be to live the law of love.

2 Corinthians 8:1-2,8

9A This law is the law of liberty or the law of Christ.

Romans 8:2; 2 Corinthians 3:17: James 1:25; 2:10-12; Galatians 5:1; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

10A The O.T. law is a set of commandments, instruction of God to us.

Galatians 3:21; 3:21-25

11A Understanding the law in its total its aim is that Jesus Christ get the glory as the one who provides the only ground for our imputed righteousness through faith.

Romans 5:19; 10:4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:8-9

12A So how can my imperfect obedience and love fulfill the perfect law of God?

(John Piper gives this idea that I have taken today.)


THOSE LED BY THE SINFUL NATURE

Romans 8:5-9

Charles e. Whisnant, January 08 2012

FOR: hoi gar:

It will usually be a term of conclusion and you will be forced to read the prior context to understand what is being explained.

THOSE WHO ARE (continually) ACCORDING TO (dominated, controlled by), THE FLESH SET THEIR MINDS ON THE THINGS OF THE FLESH

Romans 8:12-13, John 3:6; I Corinthians 15:48; 2 Corinthians 10:3; 2 Peter 2:10;

For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh (Amplified)

Those who live by the corrupt nature have the corrupt nature’s attitude (GWT) Those who live as their human nature tells them to, have their minds controlled by what

human nature wants. (GNT) Those who live following their sinful selves think only about things that their sinful

selves want. (NCV) For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the

flesh (NET) Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature

desires (NIV) Those who are living by their natural inclinations have their minds on the things human

nature desires (NJB) Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things (NLT) For if men are controlled by their earthly natures, they give their minds to earthly things

(Weymouth) For those who are habitually dominated by the sinful nature put their minds on the

things of the sinful nature (Wuest)


A MIND DOMINATED BY THE EVIL FLESH

Are (5607) (ontes)

Is in the present tense indicating that this is the general pattern of their life (their lifestyle) or habitual practice

AFTER or ACCORDING TO (2596) (kata) THE FLESH

In short Paul is describing an unbeliever, devoid of the Spirit. An unbeliever orders his or her behavior in such a way that it is dominated or controlled by the flesh, the Sin nature inherited from Adam which gives the unregenerate their propensity to commit sins.

DO or SET(there) MIND to (THE THINGS ) (5426) (phroneo from phren = literally the diaphragm and thus

that which curbs or restrains.

1. Figuratively, mind is the supposed seat of all mental and emotional activity) refers to the basic orientation, bent, and thought patterns of the mind, rather than to the mind or intellect itself (that is the Greek word nous).

2. Includes a person’s affections and will as well as his reasoning. 3. Vine writes that phroneo means...

“to think,” “to form a judgment”; but in the New Testament never merely “to hold an opinion,” always it is contemplated that action will be taken upon the judgment formed, implies moral interest or reflection, not mere unreasoning opinion.

Note that "do or set...mind" is in the present tense in this passage which depicts this as one's the continual practice or mindset. The object of their thinking and striving is fleshly. Their mind is continually regulated by the flesh. These are unbelievers whose basic disposition is to satisfy the cravings of their unredeemed flesh. They obey the impulses of the flesh. They live to gratify the desires of the corrupt nature. They cater to the body, which in a few short years will return to dust.

That there are two exactly opposite principles, two utterly opposed standards of life, to be considered. They who are after (according to) the flesh - that is, the unsaved - are dominated by the fleshly nature. They "mind the things of the flesh."

In these terse words the entire life of the natural man is summed up. In blessed contrast to this, those who live according to the Spirit of God - saved men and women - characteristically mind the things of the Spirit.

Parenthetically Paul explained, the minding of the flesh is death, that is its only legitimate result; but the minding of the Spirit is life and peace. He who is thus Spirit-controlled is lifted onto a new plain where death has no place and conflict is not known. (Ironside, H. Romans).

“But the natural man, receive not the things of the Spirit of God, but they are foolosihness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned (judged.)”

A natural mind - governed by sensual appetites and living apart from the Spirit of God)

man (born into Adam and not regenerated in Christ = still "in Adam", not "in Christ") does 21 Romans 8 outline Charles e Whisnant, Pastor-Teacher

not (ou = absolute negation!) accept (dechomai = deliberately and readily, receive kindly, they do not "put out a welcome mat"! = present tense) the things of the Spirit of God (because the Truth of God given by the Spirit calls for a decision - "Am I going to continue to do it my way or God's way?"); for they are foolishness (moria = that which is considered intellectually weak, irrational. From "moros" dull, stupid >"moronic" = same word is used to describe the Gentiles who are perishing) to him, and he cannot (dunamai = present tense = have intrinsic power - natural men lack the inner, inherent ability and resources on their own to = absolutely lacks the inherent, internal enablement to) understand (ginosko = know by experience) them, because they are spiritually appraised (Sanakrino = sift up and down and so to scrutinize, to examine accurately and carefully with exact research like in legal processes). (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Romans 8:6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, (NASB:

THE THINKING OF THE FLESH – DEATHHaving Your Mindset Adjusted

The Mind of Christ (6-13)

Charles e Whisnant, Pastor-Teacher, Preacher, Student of the WordJanuary 22 2012

For to be carnally4561 minded5427 is death2288 but to be spiritually4151 minded is life2222 and peace1515


http://www.lockman.org/

http://www.searchgodsword.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=1515









"Mind set"...

Expresses a state of mind. The idea is not just that seeking the things of the flesh leads to death, but that an unspiritual mind, which reveals itself in the desire and pursuit of unspiritual objectives, is death. Death, of course, means spiritual death, the absence and the opposite of spiritual life. It includes alienation from God, unholiness, and misery.

On the other hand, the “mind controlled by the Spirit” is that state of mind which is produced by the Spirit and which reveals itself in the desire and pursuit of the things of the Spirit. This state of mind is life and peace.

It is not that we can be opposed to God, but that we ourself is opposed to Him! We are not at enmity, but enmity itself! We are not black, but blackness! We are not corrupt, but corruption! We are not rebellious, we are rebellion! We are not wicked, we are wickedness itself! We are not just deceitful, we are deceit!

The fleshly walk does not submit to the Holy Spirit. The fleshly walk does not and cannot please God

Flesh (4561) (sarx )

in the context of this verse refers to the evil nature present in every man ever born, for all have been born into the line of Adam (and even those who are born again or regenerated by the Spirit possess the fallen flesh, with which we must daily contend).

The picture Paul paints is of a mind "possessed" by and thus controlled or dominated by the evil, "anti-god" flesh and this picture is a description of all who are yet unsaved. Paul is saying that this means that one’s life (that of the unsaved person) is determined and directed by the values of this evil world system which intractably set against and in total rebellion toward God. Controlled by such an "anti-god" mindset is the only way an unsaved person is able to walk - according to the flesh.

Death (2288) (thanatos)

In short, if one's mind is not Christ-centered and instead his or her interest is constantly (emphasize that this is one's lifestyle, one's habitual practice) being placed upon carnal or fleshly desires, the results (no spiritual "life and peace") are the symptoms of spiritual death

BUT THE MIND SET ON THE SPIRIT IS LIFE AND PEACE: to de phronema tou pneumatos zoe kai eirene:

Romans 5:1;10; 14:17; John 14:6,27; Galatitans 5:22

THE THINKING OF THE SPIRIT - LIFE AND PEACE

Set on the Spirit –

More literally = “the mind possessed by the Spirit”. This describes a mind which is controlled by or dominated by the Holy Spirit (Compare - "do not get

drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with [controlled by = command to allow this to occur continually = present imperative] the Spirit" Ephesians 5:18.


http://www.preceptaustin.org/new_page_40.htm#present%20imperative


http://preceptaustin.org/romans_85.htm#4b


Such a person with such a "mindset" is the one who possesses the life that God is, and the peace that He Alone graciously gives

Life (2198) (zoe [) zo

Life, in Scripture, denotes a fully satisfied existence, in which all the faculties find their full exercise and their true occupation. Man's spirit, becomes the abode and organ of the Divine Spirit, realizes this life with a growing perfection to eternal life.

Peace (1515) (eirene

in its verb form means “to bind together that which has been separated” thus in the present context describes the believing sinner, bound together with God and His life after having been separated by sin.

“They that are of the flesh do mind the things of the flesh.”

Romans 8:5-8 (to 13)

January 29 2012 #106

Charles e Whisnant

Romans 8:4 began a new section of thought and goes to verse 5th verse to the end of the chapter. And the main object of Paul is to prove Romans 8:1 which is “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.”

Herein is the fundamental intention. Paul’s purpose is to show the absolute certainly and finality of the full and complete salvation of all who are “in Christ Jesus” – i.e. of all who are in the dominion of the Spirit and in whom the Holy Spirit of God dwells.

AN OVER VIEW OF V. 5-13


Verses 5-8 gives us a picture of the difference between a Christian and a non Christian. And the only way the law can be fulfilled is in the Chrisitian.

Verses 9-11 Paul applies this to the Roman Christians. (read verse 9-11) And Paul shows them what their current position is in the light of that fact, as well as their future glory is going to be as an outcome.

Verses 12-13 Paul gives the Roman Christians a practical exhortation because of all that is true of them.

If I am readying verse 1 to 4 correct Paul is talking about all Christians not just some Christians. He is not talking about those spiritual Christians verses the carnal Christian, but all Christians. Every Christian has been freed from the guilt of sin and death.

Sanctification occurs in every person who has been justified in Christ and set free from sin’s cure.

There is another principle that we see in verses 5 to 13:

A complete change in us is absolutely essential to salvation. If a person does not experience a radical change, if he does not enter into the dominion of the

Spirit, “the righteousness of the law’ cannot ever be fulfilled in him. Christianity is this: A radical change in the nature of the human being. Generally people don’t like to hear describe who is not a Christian. They would rather feel

they are a Christian without any description as to what a Christian really is.

The term “after the flesh”, or maybe best to say “under the flesh.” The idea of the word carries the idea of being “under something else, under authority in particular. And we can gather from that, that a non Christians is someone who is habitually dominated by the nature with which he was born. Its his bent in life, its his real life style.

The fact is every one born has been born into a human nature that is total degenerate.

So how does this flesh out in the life of every person? What does it lead to?

“They that are of the flesh do mind the things of the flesh.” Vs.5

That expression is also found in Philippians 3:15-16

TO MIND:

Is a term with which we talked about last week. “Mind your own business.”

THE FLESH

Means every aspect of life without God, everything in life which God is not Those who have social interest without the Lord.

TO BE CARNALLY MINDED IS DEATH vs 6 25 Romans 8 outline Charles e Whisnant, Pastor-Teacher

What the verse really should read is this: “The mind of the flesh is death.” What Paul is saying that the people who do mind the things of the flesh, and have the sort of mind that does that, are dead.

The mind of the flesh is death: vs. 6

Why does a man do the things of the flesh, the world? Because he is spiritually dead. Here is what Paul is saying:

o That this person is dead to God, he lives as it there is no God.o God is not in their thoughts in the least. He is living and doing all what the world would

say is great stuff, but he is living as if God did not exist in his thinking.

Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind (mind of the flesh) is enmity against God

Romans 8:7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God nasv

Exodus 20:5, 2 Chron. 19:2; Psalms 53:1; John 7:7; 15:2-24; Ephesians 4:1-19; Colosisians 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:4; James 4:4 and 1 John 2:15-16

HOSTILITY TOWARD GOD

Because (1063) (dioti)

Means on account of this or that or for this reason. Here dioti introduces the explanation as to why the mind of the flesh has death for its fruit, stating that it is because it is essentially at enmity toward God. In other words, Paul is explaining the reason for the radical difference between the two "mindsets" and he will do so in this verse by expanding on his description of the "mind of the flesh".

They are not subject to the law of God. And neither can be. Vs 7

That means they do not subject themselves to the law of God. I mean how can they? They really become rebel and they are antagonistic. In fact the real case in their heart is, they don’t care what God has said. They are not going to take orders, they are going to follow their own mind anyway.


So then they that are in the flesh, cannot please God Vs . 8

8So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. They can not bring forth any fruit that will please Him.

Romans 8:10 Dead in the body, Alive in the spiritCharles e Whisnant, February 06,

2012

Paul is affirming his argument in 8:1: There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.

INTRODUCTION:

WHAT THEN IS TRUE OF ALL OF US AS CHRISTIANS?

Remember Paul is teaching the doctrine of ASSURANCE. Paul’s point he is getting across is this: Because we are no longer under the reign of sin, but under the reign of grace, therefore our final salvation is certain, sure, and guaranteed; nothing can cancel it. Vs. 1 tells us “There is therefore, NOW, no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.”

A GOOD TRANSLATION OF ROMANS 8:1027 Romans 8 outline Charles e Whisnant, Pastor-Teacher

10And if Christ be in you, (on the one hand or on account of) the body is dead because of sin; on the other hand, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

if 1487 however 1161 Christ 5547 (be) in 1722 you 4771 the 3588 indeed 3303 body (is) 4983 dead 3498 on account of 1223 sin 266 - 3588 and 1161 (the) Spirit 4151 life 2222 on account of 1223 righteousness 1343

“ON THE ONE HAND.” Paul says, “the body is dead because of sin”.

THIS IS A MOST IMPORTANT STATEMENT THEOLOGICALLY AND FROM THE WHOLE STANDPOINT OF DOCTRINE

THE BODY (4983) (soma)

What does the body mean? The actual word Paul used is the word that is used for our physical body, our physical frame.

It is not the word he uses when he is describing the “flesh”.

THE BODY IS DEAD (3498) (nekros from nékus = a corpse = English - necropsy, necrophobia, etc)

Notice Paul does not say “if Christ be in you, the body will die, or will become dead, or shall die’. He says “the body is dead’ now. He says it is true about you now, not something that is going to happen to us. We have a mortal body, we have a dying body, we have now a corrupt body. Listen the seed of death is in our bodies.

BECAUSE OF SIN

The body is the instrument that sin most readily uses; it is, as it were, the seat of sin. The body gives sin its chance and its opportunity, and it remains there in the body.

The body: all that we are, tends to work through the passions and the desires which are “inflamed” by the law (Romans 7)

In other words, the body is the battleground in our struggle against sin, it is the main cause of pain in the believer in every sense, physical, moral, and spiritual

BUT (YET) 1161 ON THE OTHER HAND, THE SPIRIT OF LIFE 2222 BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS 8:10B

John 4:14; 6:54; 11:25-26; 14:19; 1 Corinthians 15:45; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:23; Colossians 3:3-4; Hebrews 12:23; Revelation 7:14-17.

Thanks to God: Because the fact that the body is dead is not the whole truth about the Christian.

Footnote: In the Authorized Version the “spirit” is given a capital “S,” indicating that it means the Holy Spirit. But many commentators, they believe that is a mistake. Why?


Paul means that the Christian believer is alive. As “dead” means “having the seed of death”, “LIFE” means “having the seed of life.”

The seed of life is in the Christian believer. That is, his spirit has been made alive by the Spirit of Christ. This is to say, that the Christian believer has been regenerated.

You as a Christian believer have been “born again” and there is a seed of God in you (I John 3:9 ) and you have become “ a partaker of the divine nature.” (2 Peter 1:4)

Here is where we use “born again.” He has new life. From above. Whereas before he was dead, now he is alive. He has been “born again.” Ephesians 2:1 “Quickening means the imparting of life.” Before man was spiritually dead to God, but now is alive, a new life has been put into him, a new principle of life and vigor. Colossian 3:1 Our spirit has come alive.

BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (1343) (dikaioune) from dikalos ON ACCOUNT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS This is imparted to us.

THE WRONG THEORY OF SANCTIFICATION AND HOLINESS EXPLAINED: CHRISTIAN PERFECTIONISM AND THE PRINCIPLE OF COUNTERACTION

What is the Biblical Pattern for the Christian Life?

Charles e Whisnant, February 11, 2012

INTRODUCTION:

1A For our understanding of the actual teaching of Paul, this enables us to follow his argument as he works it out in this whole section. It is not enough to note his doctrine; Paul always wants to apply it. Paul wants to make sure that you don’t fall into what is called “antinomianism” which is not putting into practice what you claim you believe. We must more than just understand the doctrine, we must apply the doctrine to our daily lives.

2A These two verses have an important place in the New Testament doctrine of sanctification. These two verses will help us understand what sanctification is.

Paul is going to give us some practical application to the doctrine of justification. We have thus been given a description of a Christian – his character and his position..

Just as a footnote: It is the responsibility of the preacher not only to give a positive exposition but also to oppose wrong teaching.

Paul constantly exposes the false, warns again it, then pleads with the believer to avoid it, and at the same time he gives the positive truth.


If the teaching of the Word of God is not going to affect your living and your conduct and your mind and soul, what have we done in our preaching?

My reason for presenting this portion of our study is not to attack or belittle what others teachabout holiness, but to encourage you to understand, pursue, and experience true holiness unhindered by theological confusion. Unfortunately, in getting to the truth of the matter, it will be necessary to address some errors.

FALSE TEACHING TODAY ABOUT HOLINESS

Over the decades several contradictory and confusing holiness theories have been introduced, including “ eradication ,” “counteraction,” and “identification ,” Second Blessing, or Christian Holiness Perfection. Or “the baptism of the Holy Spirit.” Or Higher Life movement.Pentecostalism has developed a distinctive view of the Christian life too. That stands to reason. Doctrine and life, principles and practice, always go together. What one teaches by way of Christian doctrine will always produce a certain way of life, a form of practical Christianity.

I. THE ROOTS OF PERFECTIONISM A. PERFECTIONISM’S SUPPOSED BIBLICAL ROOTS

a. Matthew 5:48; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Philippians 3:15; Colossians 4:12 Hebrews 12:22-23, I Peter 1:1; 5:10

B. PERFECTIONISM’S HISTORICAL ROOTS1. The primary motives

Many men and women of the past, desiring to understand, live, and teach biblicalholiness, developed various theories to explain how one becomes holy.

II. THE ROUTES OF PERFECTIONISMIn its development over the decades, perfectionism has taken two primary routes: the Eradication Theory, and the Counteraction/Identification Theory. Also known as Christian Holiness, “Second Blessing.”

A. THE ERADICATION THEORY OF HOLINESS

1. The passagesRomans. 6:6 - “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin” (KJV). Romans 6 and 7 and 8:12-13 Galatians 2:20.

Eradicationism equates the “old man” and the “body of sin” with an “old sin nature.”

2. The position

a. To John Wesley, sanctification meant the complete removal (eradication) of the old sin nature sometime after salvation.

b. To eradicate is to uproot, remove, eliminate, or destroy something. Therefore, the eradication theory maintains that at the “Second Blessing”(or sanctification, which he believed came some time after salvation), the old sin nature is entirely removed by the Holy


Spirit, and the sanctified believer is left with only a new holy nature (thereby making him sinlessly perfect).

3. The problem

a. Experience is never to be the final determiner of God’s truth, however, if theory or position is biblical, it will be evidenced in the lives of God’s people. Is that true of the Eradication Theory?

B. THE COUNTERACTION/IDENTIFICATION THEORY OF HOLINESS

1. Like the Eradication Theory, this theory also maintains that the believer can besinlessly perfect in this life.

2. However, this theory rejects the idea that the sin nature is eradicated, and concedes that sinful (propensities) tendency to demonstrate particular behavior can remain in the heart of every believer.

3. The theory teaches that Romans 6:6 isn’t a reality for all believers. Only those who place themselves on the cross with Christ through an act of consecration sometime after conversion, and who continually “reckon” themselves dead to sin and alive to Christ are recipients of its promises.

III. THE RESULTS OF PERFECTIONISMA. CONFUSIONB. CAUTIONC. CONCERN

IV. THE RESPONSE TO PERFECTIONISMA. OFFERS AN IMPERFECT PERFECTIONB. OFFERS AN INCOMPLETE SALVATIONC. VIOLATES 1 JOHN 1:8D. MISUNDERSTANDS REGENERATIONE. MISINTERPRETS KEY SCRIPTURESF. MISUNDERSTANDS “PERFECT”G. CONFUSES POSITIONAL, PRACTICAL, AND PERFECTED

HOLINESS

12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, , not to the flesh, to live after the flesh 13For 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. KJV

THEREFORE is a call for action on the behalf of the believer.

Can I say, the whole question of our belief of the Scripture is involved here.

WE ARE (continually) ,BRETHREN, WE ARE DEBTORS 3781

Paul uses the present tense, i.e. that which is now going on, and indicates a continuous, repeated, or habitual action.


Paul is not saying in these verse that sin can be totally eradicated. Nor does Paul say that the Lord will take over and do it for us if we just let Him.

Rather Paul will and is showing us what we as believers need to do.

NOT 3756 TO THE FLESH, TO LIVE 2198 (habitually, continually) AFTER THE FLESH.4561

Therefore (because believers now are "dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus" Romans 6:11) do not let sin reign in your mortal body (present imperative is a command preceded by a negative = "Stop letting the Sin continue to reign in your physical body!") that you should obey its lusts 13 and do not go on presenting (also present imperative with a negative) the members of your body to (the) Sin (which continues to want to "usurp" the throne which now belongs to Christ Jesus alone) as instruments of unrighteousness; but present (aorist imperative = Command to do this now and do it effectively!) yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN BORN AGAIN HAVE BEEN ADOPTED AS SONS/CHILDREN OF GOD March 11, 2012

The Doctrine of Adoption - The Most Precious Blessing of the Whole of the Bible!

Romans 8:14-17 Sermon 45.109

Charles e Whisnant, February 26 2012

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. (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,


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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. Romans 8:12-17

INTRODUCTION

1B The ancient Romans’ method of adoption.

2B The believer’s position in adoption:

Believers are chosen by God and predestined (marked out beforehand) to become adopted sons (and daughters) of God. What does this mean? It entails two things.

EXPOSITON OF THE TEXT:

FORHow this portion of the text vs. 14-17 fit into the whole context of Paul’s point.

Paul has talked about our Justification, he has talked about our Sanctification, and now he is going to speak about our Glorification.

WILL ALL PEOPLE GO TO HEAVEN? ARE YOU A CHILD OF THE LIVING GOD? Is there a “universal Fatherhood of God?” or the “brotherhood of man.” Or ‘universal salvation”

Answer: Not all are sons of God.FOR ALL WHO ARE BEING….

John 8:31, 44; 57-59, John 1:12; 17:9

There is a clear teaching in Scripture that not all mankind are going to heaven, nor are they children of God or adopted into the family of God.

BEING LED BY THE SPIRITThe relation of the Spirit to the sons of God is presented as being much like that of a shepherd to his sheep. They are “being led” by Him as their Guide and Comforter (John 14:16; John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7; Psalms 84:11

Paul says the law has a responsibility to “lead” men to Christ. Once the law achieves its objective, it passes the guiding role to the Holy Spirit, Who guides us daily into the truth.

John 16:13; 1 John 2:20,27; I Corinthians 1:12-16

HOW DO WE KNOW WE HAVE THIS SONSHIP:

1A HOW DO I KNOW I AM BEING LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD? HOW CAN I BE SURE?

1B THE HOLY SPIRIT DOES NOT LEAD US VIOLENTLY.

2B HOW DOES HE LEAD US?

3B HOW DOES THE SPIRIT LEAD US?

1C ILLUMINATION


The Spirit of God leads through the Word of God. As the Word is read, studied, meditated on the Spirit opens our understanding, our mind, our hearts so we can understand

2A WELL, IS THE SPIRIT OF GOD LEADING YOU?

Are you understanding the Word of God?Is He opening the truth to your heart?

Are you coming to the truth conclusions?

Do you see the reality of the Word of God?

Is the Spirit of God making it clear?

Does it touch your heart with conviction?

Does it give you joy, sorrow?

Is the book a living book?

THEN I WOULD SAY IT IS BECAUSE THE SPIRIT OF GOD IS ILLUMINATING YOUR HEART.

The Doctrine of Adoption - The Most Precious Blessing in the Whole of the Bible!

Romans 8 March 25, 2012

Charles e Whisnant, #45.111

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”

For you have not received a spirit of slavery

Exodus 20:19 Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”

Numbers 17:12: So the children of Israel spoke to Moses, saying, “Surely we die, we perish, we all perish!

I Corinthians 2:12. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

Hebrews 2:14-15 14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15

and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Hebrews 12:18-24:

It is of the greatest importance to believers to be assured that they are indeed the sons of God. Without a measure of this assurance they cannot serve Him with love in brightness of spirit. Paul therefore expands a little deeper (Remember Winston Hall’s comment about you being able to go deeper into the Word and go deeper in living the Chrisitan life?)_ here on his preceding declaration, that as many as are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. In verification of this, he reminds those whom he addresses that they had not received the spirit of bondage or slavery again to fear, but the Spirit of adoption, leading them to call on God as their Father.


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But you have received a spirit of adoption as sons

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of adoption. The Holy Spirit is the cause by which God makes us His children.

Whereas the spirit of bondage causes fear, the Spirit of adoption produces in our hearts a sense of reconciliation with God, a love of God is put in us, a regard for His holiness, a hatred for sin, and a peace in our conscience that we are loved by Jesus Christ.

This Spirit of adoption will give us a desire to glorify God here on earth, and to enjoy the glory of heaven. Can you imagine the New Jerusalem.

Adoption is not a work of grace in us, but an act of God’s grace without us.”

This word “adoption” is the taking of those who were by natural children of wrath from the family of Satan, to which they originally belonged, and bringing them into the family of God. A Doxology anyone?

By this union with Jesus Christ, being joined with Christ, we are now one body, and we have entered into the communion of His righteousness, and he has received His title as the Son of God, so that, as we are righteous in Him, we are also in Him, as His members, the sons of God, who, in the moment that the Holy Spirit unites us to Jesus Christ, receives us as His children. We now have a title of Sons of God that is permanent. It’s immortal and Divine.

This adoption, what a wonderful legal action has happened to us sinners. We were children of wrath, we were strangers to God’s Spirit. We now have and are learning what a wonderful honor to which God has In the adoption from the ancient custom of Romans (As shown in the movie Silver Challis) A man who had no children of his own adopted into his family a child of another. The father and the adopted child would appear before the praetor, when the adopted father said to the child: “Wilt thou be my son? And the child answered, “I will.”

The allusion to this custom reminds us that we are children of God by election, and thus we are under a far more powerful obligations to serve Him than their own children to obey them, since it is entirely by God’s love and His free good pleasure that they have been elevated to this dignity.

There is a difference however between the adoption of man and the adoption of God. In the adoption of a child in a family there is a certain real or supposed quality which may or may not appear in the adopted child or even in the adopted parents. But in the adoption of God, in adopting His people, He produces the qualities in those whom He has chosen.

A family can give his goods and give the adopted child his name, but he cannot change their descent, or transfer them into his own image: but God can and does give them His nature and changes them and transforms them into His own blessed resemblance. What an honor that we now can call God our Father.

By which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”

Paul here uses two words: Syriac and Greek, the one taken from the language in use by the Jews and the other from that of the Gentles, That is to show that there is no longer any distinction between the Jews and Greeks and that all believers in every nation, may indeed address God as their heavenly Father in their own language.


In this sense they have more or less the character of children of God, as they advance more or less in sanctification; and to this advancement they are continually urged by the exhortations of the word of God. The adoption of God’s people, and their regeneration, are both declared, John 1:12-13.

We “CRY”

We ask the Spirit of God to help us to pray. The Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Adoption, influences the prayers of believers as their manner and earnestness, for by Him they not only say, but CRY, Abba, Father.

The CRY is not so much with the mouth as it is with the heart. And implies that there is an assurance of faith with which we ought to draw near to God. And also implies that we address God with earnestness and confidence and that, in having this, we have full reliance on His promises, that we should come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we could obtain mercy and grace to help in time of need. Another doxology?

THE CHILDREN OF GOD ARE ADOPTED BY GOD INTO GOD’S FAMILY

Gleaned from Thomas Watson

Romans 8 April 1, 2012, April 15, 2012

Charles e Whisnant, Teacher,

The proposition resulting is this: that born again children are adopted children of the most High. God is said in Scripture to have many children:

1. By eternal regeneration. So only Christ is the natural Son of his Father. Thou art my Son: this day have I begotten thee (Psalm 2:7).

2. By creation. So the angels are the sons of God. When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy (Job 38:7).

3. By participation of dignity. So king and rulers are said to be children of the high God. I have said, ye are gods, and all of you are children of the most High (Psalm 82:6).

4. By visible profession. So God has many children. Hypocrites forged a title of son-ship. The sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair (Genesis 6:2).

5. By real sanctification. So all the faithful are peculiarly and eminently the children of God.

That I may illustrate and amplify this, and that believers may suck much sweetness out of this gospel-flower, I shall discuss and demonstrate these seven particulars:

1 That naturally we are not the children of God.

2 What it is to be the children of God.

3 How we come to be made children.

4 The signs of God's children.

5 The love of God in making us children.

6 The honour of God's children.36 Romans 8 outline Charles e Whisnant, Pastor-Teacher

7 The privileges of God's children.

1. WHEREIN DOES THE TRUE NATURE OF ADOPTION EXIST?

A transition or translation from one family to another.

1. Adoption consists in an immunity from all the laws of the former family.2. Adoption consists in a legal investiture (installing somebody ) into the rights and

royalties of the family into which the person is to be adopted.

2 HOW DOES GOD’S ADOPTING AND MAN’S ADOPTING DIFFER? WHAT IT IS TO BE THE CHILDREN OF GOD.

1 Man adopts to supply a defect, because he has no children of his own, but God does not adopt upon this account.

2 When a man adopts, he adopts but one heir, but God adopts many:

3 Man when he adopts does it with ease

4 Man, when he adopts, settles but earthly privileges upon his heir, but God settles heavenly privileges of justification, glorification.

3 HOW WE COME TO BE CHILDREN OF GOD.

The impulsive cause is God's free grace.

1 What faith is. If faith instates us into son-ship, it concerns us to know what faith is. There is a twofold faith. i) A more lax general faith (ii) There is a special faith

4 THE SIGNS OF GOD’S CHILDREN.

1 The first sign of our heavenly son-ship is tenderness of heart:

2 The second sign of son-ship is change.

3 The third sign of God's children is, they have the Spirit of God. It is called the Spirit of adoption; ye have received the Spirit of adoption . . .' (Romans 8:15

How shall we know that we have received the Spirit of adoption, and so are in the state of adoption?

The Spirit of God has a threefold work in them who are made children:

1 A regenerating work.

2 The Spirit of God has a supplicating work in the heart.


3 The Spirit of God has a witnessing work in the heart.

4 The fourth sign of God's children is zeal for God.

5 Those who are God's children and are born of God are of a more noble and celestial spirit than men of the world.

6 Another sign of adoption is love to them that are children.

7 The seventh sign of God's children is to delight to be much in God's presence 8 The eighth sign is compliance with the will of our heavenly Father.

9 The last sign is, He who is a child of God will labour to make others the children of God.

The Love and Honor and Privileges of Being Adopted Children of God

April 22, 2012 Romans 8:15 and selected verse

5 THE LOVE OF GOD IN MAKING US CHILDREN.

1 We were deformed.

2 As we did not deserve to be made children so neither did we desire it.

3 It is the wonder of love that God should adopt us for his children when we were enemies.

6. THE HONOUR OF GOD’S CHILDREN.

Observe two things:

1. God makes a precious account of them. Since you were precious in my sight

God loves use above His estate. Our name is precious. Our prayers are precious. Our blood is precious.

2 God looks upon his children as persons of honor. Since you are precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable . . .' (Isaiah 43:4).

God esteems us honorable: Isaiah 62:3. God makes us honorable. God installs us into honour. He creates us noble persons, persons of renown. I Samuel 18:18

Look at the honor God places upon His children: Our title. Our shielded. Our coat of arms.

Our honor compared to Adam and Angels.

7. THE PRIVILEGES OF GOD’S CHILDREN

1. If we are children, then God will be full of tender love and affection towards us.38 Romans 8 outline Charles e Whisnant, Pastor-Teacher

A father compassionated His children. God love. God is angry in love. How afflictions work for our good in God’s love

1b In time of desertion God leaves in his children a seed of comfort. His seed remained in him' (1 John 3:9

2b God has a design of mercy in hiding his face from his adopted ones.

1st It is for the trial of grace, and there are two graces brought to trial in time of desertion: faith and love.

2nd It is for the exercise of grace.

3rd God may forsake His children in regard of vision, but not in regard of union.

4th When God hides his face from His child, His heart may be towards Him.

2 The second adoption privilege is this if we are children then God will bear with many infirmities. Malachi 3:17.

3 The third privilege is this — if we are children then God will accept our imperfect services. Isaiah 38:14.

4 If we are children then God will provide for us. 2 Corinthians 12:14.

5 If we are children then God will shield off dangers from us.

God screens off temporal evil. God shields off spiritual evils from His children

6 If we are children then God will reveal to us the great and wonderful things of his law.

7 If we are children this gives us boldness in prayer.

8 If we are children, then we are in a state of freedom.

9 If we are children then we are heirs apparent to all the promises.

10 If we are children, then we shall have our Father's blessing.

11 If we are children, then all things that fall out shall turn to our good

Good things work for good to God's children

Evil things work for good to God's children

1st Poverty works for good to God's children


2nd Sickness works for their good

3rd Reproach works for good to God's children

4th Reproach increases their glory

12 And lastly, if we are children we shall never finally perish (John 5:24; 10:28).

THE TEST FOR KNOWING IF YOU ARE UNDER THE BONDAGE OF SIN AND DEATH

The Proof of Assurance of Salvation Test

Romans 8:15 Series 45.115

Charles e Whisnant, Romans 8:15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba ! Father !" (NASB: Lockman)

For the Spirit which you have received is not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit producing sonship in the bliss of which we cry Abba Father. Amplified

Nor are you meant to relapse into the old slavish attitude of fear you have been adopted into the very family circle of God and you can say with a full heart, “Father, my Father. Philipps.

BONDAGE 1397 Slavery, bondage, the condition of a slave That which will prevent him from freely possessing and enjoying his life, and is not in liberty to freely

love God. He has an enslaved moral or spiritual condition characterized by fear of breaking rules and therefore experiencing repression or burden, and lack of freedom.

Those who are in the flesh or unbelievers who are enslaved to Sin and the Law and receive the wages of Sin which is death which is a cause of fear.

Its no matter how witty, intelligent, clever one may manage to mask or deny the reality of it, sinful men are continually subject to fear because they continually live in sin and are therefore continually under God’s judgment for Jesus did say in John 3:18…”He who believes in Him is not judged, he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

The unbelievers are governed by a slavish and anxious apprehension of God’s righteousness and ultimately fear of eternal death in the Lake of fire, even though they have no idea of its true horrors Mark 9:48

BUT THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SAVED, HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE SPIRIT OF SLAVERY THAT LEADS TO FEAR. Romans 8:15


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Now why is this so important to us? It is most important and helpful from the idea that Paul is giving us the assurance of salvation and the assurance of our sonship of God.

What I want to try to express today is this: A very good proof that if you at one time have been under this slavery attitude and been in this spirit of bondage and of fear of its end results than is a great test to apply to what may appear to be the Spirit of adoption.

As Marty Lloyd Jones has stated, it is impossible to have the Spirit of adoption without having first had the spirit of bondage. You had been in a condition of being controlled by something (sin) that limited the freedom.

George Whitefield said as much:

“First we hear Moses’ voice, one hear the voice of the law. There is no going to Mount Zion but by the way of Mount Sinai: That is the right straight road. I know some say, Whitefield says, “they do not know when they were converted; those are, I believe , very few, generally though, I may say almost always, God deals otherwise. Some are, indeed, called sooner by the Lord than others, but before they are made to see the glory of God, they must hear the voice of the law; so you must hear the voice of the law before every you will be savingly called unto God.”

Whitefield was one of the greatest preachers of his time that delighted in preaching the gospel of salvation, and he said “First we hear Moses’ voice, the voice of the law.” No going to Mount Zion (Calvary) but by way of Mount Sinai.”

YE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE SPIRIT OF BONDAGE (SLAVERY) AGAIN TO FEAR.”

Yes you once did receive it, but that is not what you have received now.

As I have previous mention of the many characteristics of the sons of God, one is you are now no longer under this slavish this loyalty to some cause, this showing total unquestioning obedience or devotion, this complete it seems lack of originality or independence of thought

This is gone, and has been replaced by the “Spirit of Adoption.”

One of the most powerful bit of evidence is that you have been saved, and have assurance of that salvation is that you no longer have the spirit of fear and of this kind of slavish feeling. It has really disappeared.

The old spirit is g-o-n-e.

Of course this is not a new idea of Paul, even in Romans. Its in Romans 5, Romans 6 and Romans 7:4

Then we come to Romans 8 and in the very first verse this reverberating statement: “THERE IS THEREFORE NOW NO CONDEMNATION’ there can never be – “to them which are in Christ Jesus.”

The very first work of the Spirit upon us is to deliver us from that spirit that we had before we believed. That is salvation that is Christianity that is our assurance that we have really been adopted by God as one of these children.

The moment that we see His glory the spirit of fear and of slavery disappear. They cannot exist together

Really to know the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ, and to have it applied to us by the Holy Spirit, it becomes impossible to prevent or to avoid the deliverance of this spirit of bondage and fear.

WELL YOU MIGHT SAY THAT THIS POINT: 1st question: “Now that is very nice, that is quite comforting, I like to hear it, but there are other verses that mention that we should fear. Philippians 2:12-13, 2


Corinthians 5:11; Hebrews 12:25-28. Then we seek to give an explanation.

We must note that there is an essential difference between a “spirit of bondage and of fear’ and “reverence and godly fear.”

So how can we do both? The exhortation is to remember always who God is, and what God is. We are not approach God as if he was just another friend. We are to remember always that God is a consuming fire, and we must as a result always approach Him with “reverence and godly fear.

A 2nd question you might ask:

Are you saying that if a Christian has lost the spirit of bondage and of fear, that it means that they will never again feel depressed, and will never have a sense of abandonment? That is feeling that God has turned His back on you?”

Are you saying that if I on occasion feel depressed and uncertain, does that prove automatically that I am not a Christian?

SUFFERING FOR THE GLORY OF CHRIST

CHARLES E WHISNANT, MAY 20, 2012 ROMANS 8:18-23

SUFFERING FOR GOD OR SUFFERING FOR SIN 8:17-27

The Suffering Christ and His Suffering Christians

The Glory of God as Motive in Trials and Suffering

1. Free from Indwelling Sin: 8:1-112. Ssonship Through the Spirit:8:12-173. From Suffering to Glory: 8:18-304. God’s Everlasting Love 8:31-37

WHEN THE SCRIPTURES TALK ABOUT PROGRESSION TOWARD RESURRECTION, THEY EMPHASIZE DEATH. WHEN SCRIPTURES TALK ABOUT PROGRESSION TOWARD GLORIFICATION, THEY EMPHASIZE OUR SUFFERING AND WEAKNESS.

IntroductionCOMMENTARY ON EACH VERSE1A FOR

Since “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together”


2A I CONSIDER 3049

Refers to a process of careful study or reasoning which results in the arriving at a conclusion. Signified “take account of : 2 Corinthians 10:7 “think”

3A THAT THE SUFFERINGS: 3804 pathema

Here the suffering has to do with our faith in Christ, and Christ in us Who the world hates, and we suffer that we might be conformed to his image. 2 Corinthians 1:5 Colossians 1:24.

HOW TO TEMPER STEEL?

1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ

To what purpose do we suffer?

1) Some suffering is meant to lead us to change our ways in order to remove the source of our suffering and to give us a fuller and happier life as a Christian through better decisions. Galatians 6.8

2) Suffering is allowed by God in our lives to increase our hope in God. Romans 5.1-5

3) Suffering is allowed by God so that we can comfort others who are suffering. 2 Corinthians 1.3-7

4) Suffering is allowed by God to bring others to Christ. Acts 16.25-34

5) Obedience in our suffering brings Glory to God. John 17.4

6) Suffering is allowed by God to build in us the character of Jesus. Romans 5.1-5; 8.28-29

7) Suffering is allowed by God to equip us to share in God’s glory. Romans 8.17-18

4A FOR I CONSIDER THAT THE SUFFERING OF THIS PRESENT TIME 2540 KAIROS

So Paul here is contemplating the future privileges of the believer, and leads him to think of the contrast this makes with the present state of being. Paul is showing that suffering is the path we tread as we move from blessing to glory. Now Paul could also be taking about the present age in which we lived, rather than the suffering that is the direct result of persecution. In this present world too, we are not going to be free from trouble because we live in a imperfect world.

5A ARE NOT WORTHY 514 axios

It has to do with weight, and so of that which is of value. Then the sufferings are of no weight in comparison with glory; they are not to be balanced in the scale with it.

6A (TO BE COMPARED WITH) THE GLORY or With Glory 1391


Colossians 3:4; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-12; Titus 2:12-13; 1 Peter 1:13; 4:13; 5:1; The glory of God is the manifestation of any or all of His attributes. Thomas Watson described God’s glory as a way of the sparkling of the Deity. We may see God’s glory blazing in the sun and twinkling in the stars Psalsm 19:1.

7A WHICH SHALL BE REVEALED 601 IN US

THE SAVED BELIEVER DOES NOT FOCUS ON TODAY’S SUFFERING; HE LOOKS FORWARD TO TOMORROW’S GLORY. Amen.

This coming glory will not only be revealed TO us, but will actually be revealed IN US.

The Glory of God as Motive in Trials and Suffering Pt 2

Charles e Whisnant, Pastor/Teacher, Student of Scripture, May 27, 2012

From Suffering to Glory

18 For I consider 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 creation eagerly waits 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 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

1A FOR 2A I CONSIDER 3049

3A THAT THE SUFFERINGS: 3804 pathema

Definition

1. that which one suffers or has suffered a. externally, a suffering, misfortune, calamity, evil, affliction


1. of the sufferings of Christ 2. also the afflictions which Christians must undergo in behalf of the same cause

which Christ patiently endured b. of an inward state, an affliction, passion

2. an enduring, undergoing, suffering

Here the suffering has to do with our faith in Christ, and Christ in us Who the world hates, and we suffer that we might be conformed to his image.

1. 2 Corinthians 4:7-122. 2 Corinthians 4:16-183. I Peter 4:12-134. Hebrews 12:115. Revelation 2:106. Hebrews 5:8

7. James 1:2-48. Hebrews 5:7-89. Hebrews 12:1410. Revelation 2:1011. I Peter 1:6-7

The Process of how to temper steel:To what purpose do we suffer?

1. Galatians 6:82. Romans 5:1-53. 2 Corinthians 1:3-74. Acts 16:25-345. Romans 8:28-296. Romans 8:17-18

Suffering is ultimately the result of sin, from which will not be delivered until our Lord returns.

Every instance of suffering in our lives is not necessarily the direct result of our sin.

God has purposes for our suffering that man not be known to us in this life, but only in eternity

When viewed in the light of eternity our suffering seems bearable

Suffering may draw us near to God, while success and easy may do the opposite

When God uses suffering for his glory and our God He turns the curses into the cure.No one has ever suffered more, than God’s son, in bringing about the only means of our salvation


All of us must be tested and come thru the discipline of God. That is how we are purified and made ready as a Bride. Just saying some words about Jesus does not prepare us or pass the test of God. We must suffer and this suffering may not seem pleasant yet if we keep our eyes focused on the prize of eternal life, we will understand what is happening and when we yield our lives to God, we will find the peace that transcends all understanding.

God has written His laws in our hearts and in our minds. Jesus said that if we truly love Him, we will obey His commandments. We prove ourselves and our faith as genuine by responding to the discipline of God. That is how we endure and in turn are trained so we can teach others. Keep in mind that God is in total control, even using the enemy to accomplish His perfect will. The Lord uses events, people and even the enemy to implement the test of our faith. We know that all things work for the greater good for those that love the Lord.

HOW SHOULD I FACE TOMORROW WITH ALL MY SUFFERINGS?

ROMANS 8:18 #118

Charles e Whisnant, Pastor/Teacher June 03, 2012

Romans 8 verse 18 is a classic statement on the question on suffering. It is the most profound statement on the suffering of the Christian in this present life.

The challenge for us this morning is to deal with this verse as it was written by Paul. Whereas we want to say “how does this verse speak to us in 2012? Whereas we need to understand what Paul meant when he wrote it.

LET US LOOK AT SUFFERING FROM A NEGATIVE POINT OF VIEW (Lloyd-Jones)

How should we look at suffering?

1A Our reaction to suffering should never be one of surprise.


2A Secondly not only should we not be surprise by suffering, but secondly we should not be depressed by it.

3A The believer should never be taken by surprise and led to question the truth of salvation itself because he is suffering. There is for sure something wrong with your view of salvation if you allow suffering to get you off your faith in your salvation.

4A Other will say “well maybe God loves us, but He hasn’t the power to prevent all this suffering” Why doesn’t God use his power to stop all the suffering of this world?” Reject such ideas.

5A “Well maybe you are just not a Christian?” That is a good one. If you are a Christian, God would not allow such suffering.” The devil loves that one.

6A Then another thing, you should not begin to feel a sense of grudge against God, or even to complaint a lot. In other words, you want say.”Why is the Lord allowing this to happen to me, or my family?”

7A Then can I say this, there is no promise given that you will have any relief or improvement in our life. Paul if you will notice, did not give those Christians in Rome any hope that things were going to be better in this life.

8A Another point about suffering: There is no call here to Christians to try to change the conditions or to improve them. Christians are always trying to change the conditions and to improve them. There is going to be suffering in this life, its life. Paul did not say, Christian rise up and band together and start a 911 Wall Street and Rose Garden protest in order to stop all the suffering. To believe by the means of legislation you are going to make life better I don’t think so.

Okay then if we are not to (1) be surprise (2) shaken (3) grumble (4) accuse God of not loving us, when what are we to do?

Give up to resignation? No. We are not to say “Oh well,. I guess we are to just given up, and put up with the way things are? Wrong deduction.

Paul says in 8:18 …read, and this is not resignation. We see some seemingly unhelpful thoughts here about our suffering but we need to see some positive thoughts here that Pau is bring up there.

So how are we to fact the suffering that we have or even in the condition we live in?

1A That is not what Paul is teaching here at all. So what Paul is teaching here is VERY UNIQUE.

A GOD-CONCEPTS AND LOGICAL THINKING ABILITY: A MIXED-METHOD STUDY

Secondly Paul says: “For I reckon.”

Whereas Paul didn’t mean that. What he meant was “I have arrive at a conclusion,, at a deduction, by a process of logical thinking and reasoning.

2A Next notice Paul says: “For I reckon that the suffering of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”


This is only for Christians. It is only for those who are Christians. Not everyone in the world. It has nothing to its because you and I have reckon and deduced from the teaching of the Scriptures that it is so.

I have reckons it so, following a careful logical study of the teaching of scripture, that ……suffering is a part of the Christian life therefore we stay steadfast and unmovable in the love of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Bible has no comfort to give those who are not believers in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. As a matter of fact the Bible warn them to flee the wrath to come.. Listen the suffering that the lost person suffers in his world, is not to be compared to what is ahead of them. What they are going to endure is worst then that people suffered at the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and even the Flood. This life is but a faint picture of the suffering that is going to come to those who do not belong to the Lord Jesus Christ.

The only way there is going to be any kind of comfort in this life is when that person has come to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord

God’s good for us is not our comfortability, but our conformity to Christ.” THE REDEMPTION OF OUR BODIES

The First-Fruits of the Spirit, a Pledge of the Full Redemption.The State of God’s Children Waiting on for Christ Return.

ROMANS 8:23-25Charles e Whisnant Pastor-Teacher, Servant July 01 2012


ROMANS 8:23AND NOT ONLY THIS, BUT ALSO WE OURSELVES HAVING THE FIRST FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT: ou monon de, alla kai autoi ten aparchen tou pneumatos echontes (PAPMPN):Which have: 2192 echo:

Meaning holding or possessing with the present tense picturing the first fruits, the Spirit, as our continual possession. Which is good news?

The firstfruits 536 aparche

The First fruit of resurrection:We Celebrate Sunday as resurrection Sunday: The first Fruits of the harvest

In Biblical terms describes an offering of any kind. It represents the first portion of offering set aside specifically for the Lord. The first portion of the harvest was regarded both as a first installment and as a pledge of the final delivery of the whole. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23.

Christ’s resurrection is the “first fruit” of those who have fallen sleep, and like the first fruits of the harvest, it is a taste and a guarantee of the full harvest of resurrection yet to come.

The Holy Spirit is called “first fruit” as a downpayment in 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5 and Ephesians 1:14, a foretaste of our divine life in the age to come.

Yes we as Christians have tasted of the blessings of heaven through the ministry of the Spirit. Which makes us want o see the Lord, receive a new body, and live with him and serve him forever. Which has been Charles e Whisnant desire since salvation at age seven, back in 1957 in Roanoke Virginia.

The actual beginning, the first installment, of the Palestinian harvest: Exodus 23:19, Leviticus 23:10-11, Deuteronomy 18;4; 26:1-4;

The presence of the Holy Spirit in the believers is therefore the actual beginning of the future world.

This is what is wonderful, we have a taste of heaven here, we have experience redemption and adoption, but we are still awaiting the fullness of that experience at the resurrection of our bodies by the Spirit.

While its true we have received the first fruits of the Spirit, we have not yet received the complete inheritance as God’s children. But we have received such a significant portion of it in terms of the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. And we have already received and have accomplished so much in our regeneration and our sanctification.

We have in our salvation and in the receiving of the Holy Spirit have received the down payment, the first installment, the deposit, the pledge of the fullness of glory.


What this guarantee is that we will have complete inheritance which will give us the redemption of our bodies and a liberated, glorified universe.

The Believer has been given in this very first installment (salvation+ Holy Spirit) this indescribable peace that we experience of been forgiven of our sins, and the power of God that will clam our heart in all circumstances, and joy will flood our souls.

Of the Spirit: which is to say the first fruits is the Holy Spirit

But even we ourselves groan without ourselves

Groan 4727 stenazo

This internal squeezing and a feeling of sorrow which is internal. A grief by inarticulate sounds. An audible expression of anguish due to physical, emotional, or spiritual pain.

This idea that when you are in a state utter despair, or caught in a dreadful situation that you can not see your way out of. We see this in the desperate utterances of the Israelites during their oppressive bondage in Egypt. Acts 7:34 cf. Exodus 2:24-25.

IN this present context these continual groaning speak of a condition that is painful, unsatisfying and sorrowful and are a cry for deliverance from a torturing experience.

Often we might feel the pain because we still live in bodies that house the flesh, that old sin nature which causes us to still stumble and grieve the Holy Spirit. In this passage in this context the idea is primarily to our remaining sinfulness.

Why do we groan, murmur, pray inaudibly, 4728, well first we have tasted the first fruits of the Sprit, and it’s a foretaste of the incomparable glory to come, and we long for that day.

Romans 8:28 #124

Charles e. Whisnant, July 29 2012

INTRODUCTION TO THIS WONDERFUL VERSE

PAUL IS WORKING OUT HIS GREAT ARGUMENTS THAT BELIEVERS ARE PROVIDED WITH FULL ASSURANCE AND THE ABSOLUTE CERTAINLY OF OUR ULTIMATE, FINAL, COMPLETE SALVATION AND DELIVERANCE FROM EVERYTHING THAT SIN HAS EVEER DONE TO US.

Paul has been throughout this chapter been giving the believer the assurances that their salvation is secure. And in each verse or verses Paul is laying down this assertion in a different manner but all in a way connected to the same them

Paul has been throughout this chapter been giving the believer the assurances that their salvation is secure. And in each verse or verses Paul is laying down this assertion in a different manner but all in a way connected to the same them

Other than John 3:16 this verse Romans 8:28 is quoted more often than any other verse.

Believers like to quote John 3:16 for security of the salvation of the whole world. (they say) and Romans 8:28 is quoted 50every time something is going bad for a person.


And there is nothing more necessary for a Believer than to be well persuaded of the happiness and privileges of their condition. In so doing they will be able to serve God with cheerfulness and freedom of spirit and to pass through the troubles and difficulties of the world.

As Believers we experience a number of trials, there is going to be afflictions, there are going to be some storms of life. There are going to be sorrows that we face. So we do need some encouragement along the way in our Christian life.

HOW NOT TO READ IN TO THIS VERSE: Let’s admit that we have some problems with Romans 8:28.

1. It’s been misused. Like many other Christian clichés, this verse has been thrown in the face of those who are suffering.

2. It’s been misquoted. This verse is often taken out of context and key words are left out. I’ve heard it put like this: “Everything will work out in the end” or “This tragedy is a good thing.” These words are not only hollow; they are hurtful to someone who is already hurting.

3. It’s been misunderstood. My goal today is to help each of us fully understand what God is saying to us so that we can stop staring and start singing again. This morning my outline is very simple.

I want us to look at God’s promise, His purpose, and finally the process He takes us through.

Here’s the entire sermon in one sentence: “God’s good for us is not our comfortability, but our conformity to Christ.” So now we can go home.

WE NEED TO TAKE /CARE AS WE READ THIS VERSE AND NOT READ INTO THIS VERSE WHAT IS NOT THERE?

1A Paul does not say that everyone will be blessed, or all things for all people will work out.

2A When a person says “I am so very blessed.” They usually are looking at this perspective from the materialistic side. They are referring that God is blessing them when in fact that is a false position to take.

3A Paul is talking only about Believers in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, King of Kings an Lord of Lords.

4A Paul is not saying “all things work together for good; isn’t it marvelous how everything seems to be conspiring together for our well being!” That is not what Paul is saying.

5A There is a major difference between the false optimism of the world, the generalities in which worldly people delight, and the particular statements of the Scripture.

All is not right with the world, all is wrong with the world. That is why the Believer’s salvation ever becomes necessary.

The optimism that so many have is false optimism, You know if a person is falsely allured into a false kind of optimism about life, which is going to dam there soul that is not good. If a person


goes to bed with a false kind of optimism that does not stand up to the test of truth and the facts of life that is not good.

SO WE MUST EXAMINE CLOSEY THIS STATEMENT SINCE THE PAUL IS SO OFTEN MISQUOTED.

“God’s good for us is not our comfortability, but our conformity to Christ.” God weaves His ways for His glory and for our good. The truth of Romans 8:28 is illustrated in the lives of many biblical characters.

Joseph. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused, mistreated by Potiphar, and suffered greatly. And yet he could say to his brothers in Genesis 50:20: “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.”

Jonah. Jonah is a negative illustration. He came to expect “good” from God which in his definition was pleasure and comfort and the destruction of his enemies. God was good to Jonah by using pagan sailors, a big fish, a plant, and even a worm to accomplish his ultimate purpose of saving the Ninevites – and teaching Jonah a lesson.

Job. Job was a righteous man who experienced incredible suffering. The teaching of this book is that every event in our lives cannot be viewed as the result of some act on our part. Job’s friends tried to link suffering with sin and prosperity with piety. Job learned that there is a plan and a purpose but the particulars may be unexplainable in this life.

Jesus. Perhaps the greatest illustration of Romans 8:28 is found in the life of Jesus himself. Many awful things were done to Him – he was denied, betrayed, falsely accused, wrongly tried, found guilty, beaten, spit upon, mocked, and finally crucified. But God brought incredible good out of this atrocious act as Acts 2:23 states: “This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and

EXPOSITION OF ROMANS 8:28 (2)

August 05 2012 40.125

Charles e Whisnant, Pastor/Teacher, Expositor of the Word

AND

There is a link that runs in this whole book of Romans, and a link chain that runs throughout this eighth chapter of Romans.

WE KNOW: 1492

Refers to knowledge which comes from one’s state of being, it’s the intuitive knowledge. It’s the absolute, positive knowledge which we have beyond a doubt. It’s a settled inward knowledge which the Holy Spirit makes real to us that we KNOW.

God Himself gives us in our consciousness this knowledge of this verse in our heart.

Herein is the truth: while all Believers know Romans 8:28 intuitively, they may not always fully understand and in many cases may not sense it experientially.

THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD52 Romans 8 outline Charles e Whisnant, Pastor-Teacher

ALL THINGS

Can I say, all means here, no exception, not just some things but all things. It includes your present troubles, your present sufferings, your heavy heart, “all things”. Can I say too, God is not idle in the affairs of His own. There is no disagreement in the providence of God

Good or bad, bright or dark, sweet or bitter, easy and hard, happy and sad, prosperity and poverty, health and sickness, calm and storm, comfort and suffering, life or death.

So many people have the Joel Osteen and Robert Schuller disorder.

WORK 4903 TOGETHER

Sunergeo from sun = with, speaks of intimacy + ergon = work > English word “synergy” = the potential ability of individual organizations or groups to be more successful or productive as a result of a merger.

There is this present and active work of God who is continually working all things together for our good! And for His glory.

GOOD (18)

“God’s good for us is not our comfortability, but our conformity to Christ.”

God will cause everything in our lives to become beneficial, spiritually profitable, useful and good, even in a fallen world filled with sin and corruption.

Well, you might say, I don’t think at event in my life was good. And that would be true. But at the same time, from God’s perspective it will turn out for good. Not all things are good. Salt is made of sodium and chlorine. They are in themselves toxic and not good. But working together they make good salt. When I look back over my life, I am able to say with Job 13:15 “though he slay me yet will I trust in Him.”

Is Paul saying, "Whatever happens is good." No.Is he saying that suffering and evil and tragedy are good? No.Is he saying everything will work out if we just have enough faith? No.Is he saying that we will be able to understand why God allowed tragedy to come? No.

Let’s admit that we have some problems with Romans 8:28.

1. It’s been misused. Like many other Christian clichés, this verse has been thrown in the face of those who are suffering.

2. It’s been misquoted. This verse is often taken out of context and key words are left out. I’ve heard it put like this: “Everything will work out in the end” or “This tragedy is a good thing.” These words are not only hollow; they are hurtful to someone who is already hurting.

3. It’s been misunderstood. My goal today is to help each of us fully understand what God is saying to us so that we can stop staring and start singing again. This morning my outline is very simple.


Here’s the entire sermon in one sentence: “God’s good for us is not our comfortability, but our conformity to Christ.”

The first thing we see is a promise. Someone has said that Romans 8:28 is a “soft pillow for a tired heart.” Let’s look at this amazing verse phrase-by-phrase.

“And…” This connecting word shows that the truth from the verses that come before is continued here. As we learned last week we are never alone when we’re in the groan zone. In the midst of sighing and suffering the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.

“…we know that…” This is a word for assurance. Notice it doesn’t say, “we hope” or “we wish” but rather “we know.” How can we have this kind of assurance when our experiences have been so excruciating? We know not by looking at events but by knowing God and His Word. There are a lot of questions we can’t answer but this we know – that God is at work.

Friend, if you don’t believe in God’s sovereignty you’re going to have a hard time with suffering. Check this out: Everything is either allowed by God or brought about by Him. If you aren’t settled about the doctrine of God’s sovereignty, you need to settle it right now. Here’s the truth in a nutshell: “He’s God and you’re not!” Impress Isaiah 55:8 upon your heart: “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD.”

“…in all things…” Not only can we have assurance, did you catch how absolute this is? Not “some things” or “most things” but “in all things.” There are no exceptions, no footnotes, and no caveats. That means all the bad and the sad, during times of poverty and prosperity, and in seasons of success or suffering. The word “in” reminds us that we can

A PROMISE YOU NEED TO KNOW

THE BELIEVERS SOLID HOPE

Romans 8:28-30 #45.126

Charles e Whisnant, August 12, 2012

WHAT YOU KNOW CAN CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THINGS.

Romans 8 is one of the best chapter on Christian Eternal Security of the Believer. We see that in 35-36.

Who is going to separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress or persecutions, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? NOTHING SHALL.

Differing Translations

THE BIGGER THE BUILDING THE BIGGER THE FOUNDATION

THE BUILDING OF ROMANS 8:28


1. Bad People2. Already Elected3. Completely Atoned for4. Overwhelmingly called5. Never falling away.

A SYNOPSIS APPETIZER OF THE FOUNDATION

WHO ARE THE RECIPIENTS OF THIS GREAT PROMISE IN ROMANS 8:28 WHO CAN CLAIM” THIS?

EXPOSITION OF ROMANS 8:28 PART TWO

TO THOSE WHO LOVE (25) GODIt’s interesting that Paul does not say “those who believe in Him.” But it says “those who love Him.” This shows the difference between the Christian and the unbeliever. Those who “simply believe in some God or other, those who made a profession of faith which is very different than those who “make believe and make the possession of faith.

TO THOSE WHO ARE CALLEDRomans 9:11 gives us a good definition of being called.

And 2 Timothy 1:9 says God who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.”

“THE CALLED” are the ones who have accepted a calling or an invitation to become a guest or member of a select group. We have been invited by God in the proclamation of the Gospel to obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom through Christ. No one seeks after God. We did not first go to Christ, Instead, He called, He invited us.

Paul speaks not of an internal call to the gospel, but of the inward call of the Holy Spirit. In theology we term this “effectual calling.” No one will love God unless God first changes the disposition of the heart through the work of the Holy Spirit. The capacity to love God is not natural to fallen humanity but must be supernaturally granted by the Father, who takes the initiative in restoring us to Himself. The regenerative work of God must precede the act of repentance and faith. Only by the divine initiative is anyone saved.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE “CALLED”


Vs. 30 tells us: And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified." And we know what that means: “Justified”- Acquitted. Pardoned, Treated as righteous. His children. If you have been called you are justified. CF. 1 Corinthians 1:23-24

IN THEOLOGY IT’S CALLED THE EFFECTUAL CALL OF GOD.

So Paul teaches that when the gospel is preached, God calls some so powerfully that their hearts and minds are changed about Jesus Christ and they embrace Him in faith and love.

When God “calls” it’s a powerful call. Like when Jesus said to Lazarus. “Lazarus, come forth!” The call of God is power to produce what it commands. It is an effectual call.

WHY ROMANS 8:28 IS SO CERTAIN FOR THE CALLED:

Because of the one who is doing the calling. Let me put it this way:

God did not put out a massive worldwide email mailing , or a massive Facebook “UPDATE” saying “to whom it may concern” inviting all to the banquet where all things work together for good. No God Himself drives up to your front door, walks in picks you up, puts you in the car, drives you to the banquet of Romans 8;28, gives you the banquet garment of love , and then seats you at the right hand of his Son. ( (Piper) Listen, we do ourselves a great service when we embrace the doctrine of God’s sovereign, effectual call. MacArthur, Spurgeon, Sproul, Whisnant, Piper, York, Bower, Samson, Paul

TO THOSE WHO ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE 4286I would say this. The call of God originates in God’s purpose not ours. It is not like “God I want to be saved, because this is what I want to do.” No. God has His own purposes not ours. God has a much higher purpose that governs his call. When God drove up to my heart’s door back in 1954 it was according to His purpose and will to do so. “Had He waited for me to have a purpose of salvation, I would still be on Facebook.”

HOW DO WE KNOW IF ROMANS 8:28 APPLIES TO USROMANS 8:28-30

Charles e Whisnant August 19, 2012How can we know that Paul’s statement , “All things work together for good…” is true with respect to us,

as to how I may know that this is true of us.

Now I do like to teach with a theological intent, so did the Apostle Paul, but really most of the time Paul was interest was primarily pastoral.

First we need to know whether all this applies to us, and if we conform to the description that is given of the people to whom this does apply, because it does apply to a certain people.

WHO DOES THIS PROMISE APPLY TO:

1A THOSE WHO LOVE GOD

So we can ask the question why does Paul describe Christian folks in this manner. “ Why did he not just say “All things work together for good to them who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ’? Of course that is just as true of Christians. So why does he instead say those who love God?


I Corinthians 2:9, Romans 8:7, Ephesians 4:17, John 2:19

Are we to have an emotional love for the local church? When I say that I love the hearing of the Word of God? Does it bring emotional feeling? Do I undergo an emotional feeling when I am in a church service? Hope so, but that is not all love is. Love of God is much deeper than emotional feelings.

The Lord makes it quite clear that you do not love God at all. John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

There is no value in talking about love unless we keep the commandments.

Well theoretical I love the Lord, really. Love is practical. Here is true love of God, you will have a desire to please the Lord, and to live to his glory and to keep His commandments, and to be like Jesus.

So why did Paul use the “love” rather than “believers?”

One of the best way we can know if we love God or not, is our reaction to life. There are many who say at first that they love the Lord, (at a church altar, or in their home with someone who invites them to be saved) only to find themselves in living life and say where is God?

Here is who you know in one way that you love God. You lose everything you have in a forest fire. You are told that you are no longer needed in your position at work. You just learn that you have one month to live. You learned that your child was shot at school today.

Are you going to be like Job or Job’s wife. Remember the story of Job. “The reason Job is happy and loves you is because he is so blessed.” The devil said. You know the story, tell it. Job 1:21-23

The greatest proof of God’s love to us is in the fact that we love Him: First John 4: 19 We love him, because he first loved us.

We would not love him if He had not first loved us. So if I find myself in love with the Lord, with all my heart, should, mind, and life, I then have an absolute proof that He loves me

ROMANS 8:28-30 ‘ACCORDING TO THE PURPOSE OF GOD’

THE PURPOSE OF OUR BEING SAVED: THE DOCTRINE OF ETERNAL SECURITY

Charles e Whisnant, Pastor/Teacher/Theologian September 23 2012

The debate will go one until the Lord’s return: You can lose your salvation, or you can’t lost your salvation! Those that say grace covers any sin, thus I do what I want.

THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN JUSTIFIED WILL BE GLORIFIED. IT IS THE PURPOSE OF GOD.

So not only is our salvation secure by the purpose of God but by the outworking of that purpose by the intercession work of the Son and the Spirit.

HERE IS GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE:

Some where in the process you are going to have to set aside your reason, say by-by to your lodge and your human reason and just believe the Word.

You must realize that we are limited in our understanding to the purpose and plan of God for us.

“Well my concept of this whole matter is this!” Is not wise to come to.57 Romans 8 outline Charles e Whisnant, Pastor-Teacher

Note God’s purpose and plan for salvation in Ephesians 12:3-11

The idea of modern evangelism: Leaving the idea that your salvation is left up to you to made the decisions.

1A THE PURPOSE OF SALVATION

1B To conform us to the image of His Son.

Hebrews; 1:3, II Corinthians 3:18, I Corinthians 15:49, Hebrews 2:10

2B The primary purpose of our salvation: “That He might b e the First-born among many brethren.”

Philippians 2:9-10, Colossians 1:18

Why were we created? How do you understand why you are saved?

THE PURPOSE OF OUR BEING SAVEDRomans 8:29 Series #133

Charles e Whisnant, September 30 2012SO HOW DO WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE SECURITY OF BEING WITH CHRIST IN ETERNITY?Our security is ultimate found in the purpose of God.

1A THE PURPOSE OF SALVATION

1B “To conform 4832 us to the image of His Son.”

God is redeeming a holy Christ-like, glorified race of humanity that. That is why we were redeemed. The goal of predestination- - - that believers would be conformed to the image of His Son.”

Within us after salvation will be the holiness of Christ

Late adjective from sun and morph and so an inward and not merely superficial conformity. Eikwn is used of Christ as the very image of the Father (2 Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:15). See Philippians 2:6 for morph. Here we have both morph and eikwn to express the gradual change in us till we acquire the likeness of Christ the Son of God so that we ourselves shall ultimately have the family likeness of sons of God. Glorious destiny. Vine.


Hebrews 1:3, 2 Corinthians 3:18 I Corinthians 15:49; Hebrews 2:10.

This salvation is a process of taking you to one level of glory to the next level of glory, and the next, until little by little, and step at a time, and you move toward Christ-likeness until the day you see Him and you become like Him. That is what God is doing in salvation.

2B THAT HE MIGHT BE THE FIRST BORN 44516 (reflecting His priority & supremacy) AMONG MANY BRETHREN: eis to einai (PAN) auton prototokon en pollois adelphois: (Psalms 89:27; Matthewt 12:50; 25:40; John 20:17; Colossians 1:15-18; Hebrews 1:5,6; Hebrews 2:11-15 Revelation 1:5,6)

What does that mean? “first born.” To bear, bring forth. Means position, priority, preeminence over.

Why? So there will be a whole redeemed humanity over which He will be the supreme one.

Philippians 2:9-10: A group of people in heaven who will for all eternity give Christ glory. Colossians 1:18.

Why were you created? For His glory.

Do you now understand why you are saved? You were redeemed to be like Christ and give Christ preeminent one glory due to his name.

He not only in His plan brought them into the family for glory but to be one with Himself so we are brothers.

Why Is the Goal That Christ Would Be "Firstborn Among Many Brethren"? So your holiness, your sanctification, your becoming like Jesus is God's aim for your life from eternity. Predestination means: Predestined to become like Jesus. That is what you should be giving yourself to. Pray and study and fight and suffer and trust to be like Jesus.

THE ATTITUDE YOU SHOULD HAVE FOR THIS WONDERFUL DOCTRINE OF ELECTIONRomans 8:28-30 #136 (44th in Romans 8)

Charles e Whisnant, Pastor/TeacherOctober 21, 2012

TODAY I WANT TO ADDRESS THE WAY IN WHICH WE SHOULD APPROACH OUR CONVICTION ABOUT THIS MATTER OF SALVATION.


Understanding and Appreciating Election and PredestinationWe should by now be seeing why it must be true of necessity that God works all things together for good to them who love Him, and who are “the called.” And the answer is provided in the great statement at the end of verse 28 that says “according to His purpose.”

God’s purpose will be fulfilled to the “called”, because we are “called according to His purpose.” God’s purpose is going to be fulfilled. There are times I might not love the Lord as I should, forbid that I do. But all things must work together for me because I love God and I love God because I am “called” of God, and because I am included in God’s purpose of salvation.

THE DOCTRINE of FINAL PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS.

While this is true, we do have security in our hope of everlasting life with Christ in Heaven, it’s not of itself the `main reason for our salvation’. We must also say that to say “all things work out for our good” is not the primary reason for our thinking. It is God’s purpose and our good, and anything that comes to us, is nothing but a part of the carrying out of that great purpose of God.

The guarantee that all things work together for our good, lies in the fact that it is all a part of God’s great purpose with respect to us.

The assurance of our salvation rests in the fact that it’s a part of the purpose of God.

THE DOCTRINE OF ELECTION IS NOT FOR THE UNBELIEVER

Look, the doctrine of election is for the children of God and for their comfort, it’s not for others.

The Bible itself is for Christians, the children of God. Look -- the unbeliever is not going to understand the Bible, you know. They cannot understand the Bible unless they are born-again, the way God wants them to understand Him.

THE RIGHT APPROACH TO THE DOCTRINE OF ELECTION

Here is the right approach to this doctrine set before us: You are going to find in them the greatest urge and desire to holiness and sanctification.. If your belief of these doctrines have not driven you to holiness, you are in a dangerous condition.

Lloyd Jones continues:

The man whose interest is purely philosophical and whose life is not turned towards godliness, is a believer in philosophic determinism, not the truth of God.” He continues “That is counterfeit, and entirely spurious.” He says also “If you are filled with a spirit of militant partisanship, again you are probably arguing philosophically.”

I have learned that this being the truth of God, always humbles, without a doubt, because it is the highest, it is the most humbling of all truths.

The higher the truth the more it should humble us; the more glorious the truth, the more ought we to be amazed and astonished at it.

THE QUESTION TO BE ASKED: WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THESE TRUTHS?

Is it a slogan that you wave on a banner?

Are you waiting patiently for a discussion of election and predestination? If so, beware? We are at the foot of a very holy mountain, and if you imagine that you can run up this mountain you are deceiving yourself.


Can I say that this doctrine is not for argument or a banner, it’s pastoral; it is comfort for the children of God, for believers faced with trials and tribulations, who do not know what to pray for as they ought.

Now as we have and are looking at these verses one step at a time, we must not forget they are part of a whole theme and must never be isolated alone. We need to see this doctrine in their setting.

The terms “all things,” “predestinate,” “called,” “justified,” and glorified” should always be seen as a whole.

As you take the whole doctrine in its setting, take every particular statement in its complete surroundings.

They are but individual links in a chain and they can only be understood in their relationship to other links and to the whole chain.

THE KEY OF UNDERSTANDING THIS TRUTH OF ROMANS 8:28-30

The way to move toward it is to ask the question, why did Paul add verse 29 and 30 after saying, “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose”? That is a complete statement in and of itself; why did Paul add this exposition, this explanation which we have in verses 29 and 30?

As I have already said, vs. 28 is not merely intended to give us comfort in trouble, but to give us the ultimate comfort of knowing that our final salvation is sure, and that everything that happens to us is but a part of that salvation.

As each step of our salvation is ‘predetermined’ and already sure – that is what Paul is saying – we can be sure that ‘God is overruling everything for our good’.

HERE IS THE POINT: If we are in God’s plan and purpose, then nothing can be against us, as we see Paul saying

in the last verses of this chapter. ROMANS STUDY OF CHAPTER 8 the 45TH Lesson

Charles e Whisnant, Pastor/Lumberjack October 28, 2012 Preaching since 1964


Synopsis overview

Life in the Spirit - Romans 8:1-11- (See Jamieson, Faucet & Brown Commentary)a) Romans 8:1-5 - No Condemnation in Jesus Christ - Before Jesus Christ our minds because of our weak flesh were

not set on the things of God, we had no power to obey the Law, but after we came to Jesus and received the spirit of Christ (The Holy Spirit), and the changing of our hearts & minds in Christ, we now have the power to be able to obey the Law and Commandments, and therefore there is no condemnation. Our minds and hearts are now set on the things of God instead of the things of this wicked world.

b) Romans 8:6-8 - The Flesh is Hostile Towards God - When our minds are focused on the flesh, its desires of sin, then we with our weak flesh are against God, hostile to his Holy Ways rather than loving Him and His Holy Will, and when our minds are set on the things of this world according to our weak flesh, then we become a enemy to God, because through the flesh we can not please God.

c) Romans 8:9-11 - Life through the Spirit of Jesus Christ - Through the flesh our bodies are dead to sin, but once we receive the Spirit of Jesus Christ, we are made alive in Jesus Christ, with that we are no longer obligated to the sinful flesh, we are obligated to the Spirit of Jesus Christ instead.

Summary of Life in the Spirit - Romans 8:1-11 –

1) Once we receive theSpirit of Jesus Christ, we have the power to obey the Law and Commandments, to no longer live in sin, so therefore we are no longer under condemnation, 2) even though our bodies in its sinful nature is hostile towards God, that our sinful sinful, (weak flesh) that desires the wickedness of this world, rather than the Holy Things of God, 3) but through Jesus Christ, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, we are made alive in Christ, made righteous through him, we are no longer trapped, enslaved to our sinful bodies, NO, we are freed indeed, we are over comers of our weak flesh, we now live by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, instead of living by the weak flesh and its sinful desires.

Heirs with Christ - Romans 8:12-17 - a) Romans 8:12-14 - Living by the Flesh we shall die - As our Lord Jesus Christ said, the true worshipers will

worship God in truth and in spirit, so here Apostle Paul is reaffirming that if we live by the Spirit we shall have eternal life, by if we live carnal minded, we shall die, not only in the afterlife, but on this world as well. We shall not be happy nor at peace, instead we shall be in conflict within ourselves and with this world and with God as well. As Jesus told Peter, you are not setting your mind on Gods interest, but on mans.

b) Romans 8:15-17 - We are Heirs with Christ - We are no longer slaves to sin and its fears as we once were, but now we are adopted and in heirs with Jesus Christ if we suffer with Christ in the persecutions and the self denial as He was & as He did.

b) Summary of Heirs with Christ - Romans 8:12-17 - 1) If we live according to the flesh, carnal minded, with the same interest as the world, we shall surely die, not only spiritual death, but death in our current life. We will not be at peace, nor happy.2) We are no longer slaves to the sins & fears of our past, we have been adopted & are now Heirs with Jesus Christ "IF" (since) we repented, believed & have denied our selves, picked up our crosses and abide in & (follow) Jesus Christ our Lord.

Future Glory - Romans 8:18-30 - )a) Romans 8:18-25 - Our Future Hope - The difficulties that the Born Again Christian has to live under in this

wicked world is nothing, and amounts to nothing as compared to our future hope in that someday not only shall our bodies be incorruptible and glorified, but we also may be away from the temptations and the corruption of this world.


b) Romans 8:26-30 - The Spirit Intercedes for Us - When we are weak & we want to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us so deep that words cannot even be spoken, but cries out our hearts to God, according to God’s will, not ours, and we the love God and are called according to His purpose for the Glory of His kingdom, we who God foreknew and are predestined be like Jesus Christ, we who are justified are also glorified.

c) Summary of Future Glory - Romans 8:18-30 - 1) Even though we live in a wicked & difficult world, that is nothing as compared to our future hope of eternal life and our glorified bodies that we will receive according to Gods promise, 2) and when we are weak & want to pray, we don't have to worry about having the strength to pray or what to pray, because the Holy Spirit will intercede for us, the Holy Spirit will cry out to God of what's on our hearts & minds so deep that even words cannot be spoken, but don't fret God searches our hearts and minds, he knows that we are weak and what our hearts and minds are trying to say in our weakened state.

Gods Everlasting Love - Romans 8:31-39 - -a) Romans 8:31-34 - The Elect are Justified - It is not mankind that can condemn or justify us, no it isn't! It is only

God Himself through giving us His son Jesus Christ that can condemn or justify us. And since we are the elect, it is through Jesus Christ that God justifies us, if we repent, believe, deny our selves, pick up our crosses and follow Jesus Christ. And it is those that do so, that are the Elect, the Predestined, the Children of God that has the seal of God (Holy Spirit).

b) Romans 8:35-39 - We are over comers - It is through our Lord Jesus Christ that no one can keep us from His love, nothing that mankind has ever did or say or create, no not even disasters, can make us fall from our faith in Jesus Christ. Nothing can keep the love of Jesus Christ from us, it is through the power of Jesus Christ that we stand firm in the faith.

c) Summary of Gods Everlasting Love - Romans 8:31-39 - 1) It is not mankind that can condemn nor justify, it is God who justifies us "The Elect" 2) We through the power of Jesus Christ stand firm in the faith regardless of what mankind does or says to us, regardless of what disasters comes up on us.

Difficulties and Objections Paul deals with.

HOW DO YOU REALLY KNOW GOD WILL DO WHAT HE SAYS HE WILL DO IN ROMANS 8:28?

Charles e Whisnant, October 28 2012 Romans 1-3 Establishes the doctrine of justification by faith only. Romans 4 Raises a problem with this. Romans 5 The doctrine. Romans 6-7 The objections. Romans8 Confirms the truth.

Seven questions Paul brings up concerning what he said in vs. 28

Paul is answering the question which is the main question: Who or what shall separate us from the love of God?

WHAT SHALL WE SAY THEN TO THSES THINGS?

SUMMARY OF PAUL’S APPROACH TO ANSWERING THE TRUTH ABOUT ROMANS 8:28 AND THE MAIN QUESTION.


1A Is there any conceivable power that can prevent our arriving at that ultimate glorification? Vs. 31

2A Is any danger that God’s love (for believers) to us may undergo a change or be diminished? Vs. 32

3A Is someone or something who may finally convict us of sin and bring us to final condemnation? Vs. 33-34

4A May we not fail or falter, owing to our weakness, as we face the trails and the tribulations of life? What if we should fail?

What has Paul just said in Romans 8:29-30? Salvation is all of God. From start to finish. From predestinated to being glorified.

THE ARGUMENT: God has from the start produced salvation in the person if then so, salvation then is certain.

THE CHALLENGE: Is it not possible that some power may arise and rob us in the ultimate goal?

THE ANSWER: VS. 31 IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?

WHAT SHALL WE SAY THEN TO THSES THINGS?

“IF” in verse 31 is

Literally If God for us, who against us?

The word if translates the Greek first class conditional particle ei, signifying a fulfilled condition, not a mere possibility. The meaning of the first clause then is not really a question but an unchanging maxim we can live on --

In view of the fact that or because God is for us nothing can be against us.

BULLETIN: THE CHRISTIAN LIFE HAS NO ROSES WITH OUT SOME THRONES.

The logic of this text, seriously applied, pushes us to the heights of confidence. John Calvin said. “You may feel ‘defeated”, but Paul’s encouraging truth is that evil will never prevail.” William Newell said “They are ignorant, but He is for them, they have not yet brought forth much fruit, but He is for them.” How is this possible?

GOD IS FOR US: WHO COULD BE AGAINST US?

Genesis 15:1; Psalms 23:4; Psalms 27:1-3; 46:1-2 and 84:1, Number 124:9, Deutermony 33:29; Joshua 10:42; I Samuel 14:6; 17:45-47; Isaiah 50:7-9, Jeremiah 1:10; 20:11, John 10:28-30 and 1John 4:4

WHAT MORE CAN BE DESIRED?

Isaiah 40:10-17, 22-25, 31 Challenge after challenge and now can stand up again Him.

Two great men stood side by side in the early Reformation movement. One was, of course, Martin Luther, the activist. The other was Philip Melanchthon, the scholar. Luther once said of their relationship:

I am rough, boisterous, stormy, and altogether warlike, fighting against innumerable monsters and devils. I am born for the removing of stumps and stones, cutting away thistles and thorns, and clearing the wild


forests; but master Philippus comes along softly and gently, sowing and watering with joy, according to the gifts which God has abundantly bestowed upon him.

Where did Melanchthon get his strength? What made this gentle, retiring man stand with Luther against the world? The heart of the text, Romans 8:31, gives the answer:

If God is for us, who can be against us?

In his lectures and correspondence that verse is quoted more than any other Scripture. It still hangs on his study wall in Wittenberg where visitors can see it. As the record has it, when Melanchthon sensed he was dying he asked to be placed on the traveling bed in his study because that is where he was happiest. When the pastor read Ro 8:31, Melanchthon exclaimed, “Read those words again!” The pastor read, The pastor read, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Melanchthon murmured in a kind of ecstasy, “That’s it! That’s it!”

This text had always been the greatest comfort to him. In the darkest hours of his life when death's cold stare threatened, he comforted himself again by reciting, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

In Ro 8:31-39 Paul developed the fact that God will not lose one whom He has foreknown in this climactic section, and he gloried in

WHAT SHALL WE THEN SAY TO THESE THINGS?

Romans 8:31-34 Number 138 in Romans

Charles e Whisnant

October 27 and November 04, 2012

The climax of this doctrine of eternal security of our salvation in Christ.

What Paul is doing id dealing with the difficulties and objections to this doctrine of eternal security of the believer in Christ. How do we really know God will do what He says He will do in verse 28?

SUPPLYING ALL OUR NEEDS: Vs. 31-32

The argument of vs 28-30 and indeed, the entire chapter, is now summed up in a triumphant hymn – the victorious battle-cry with which the conqueror surveys the vacated field (Godet)

Vs. 31 and 32 refer to God’s call according to purpose.

Vs. 33 and 34 to solemn justification of believers by God

Vs. 35-39 to their final glorifying as involved in the justification.


http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Ro%208.31-39

http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Ro%208.31

http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Romans%208.31

Here the reference is to God’s great purpose in Christ, and the apostle challenges an answer to his question:

‘IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO IS AGAINST US?”

Nay, God’s purpose is unchangeable. And what a pledge has He given of His intent to carry out that purpose to the uttermost! “He spared not His own Son.” Surely, therefore, in Him all things shall be made good to you. Opposition there may be, affliction there may be; but God in Christ shall triumph – triumph in you. The very hindrances shall become helps, the enemies unwitting friends. Yes, “we know that all things…..” will work to the purpose of God now and in eternity.

Overview

Romans 1-3 The doctrine of justification by faith only.

Romans 4 The problem with this is answered

Romans 5 The doctrine of justification and security

Romans 6-7 The objection to this doctrine

Romans 8 The doctrine is confirmed

Paul in these last verse ask seven questions to what he has been saying: Will God do what he says?

Four questions in the form of problems or challenges to this doctrine of eternal salvation

1A Vs. 31 Is there any conceivable power that can prevent our arriving at that ultimate glorification?

2A Vs. 32 Is any danger that God’s love in us may under go a change or be diminished?

3A Vs. 33-34 Is someone or something who may finally convict us of sin and brding us to final condemnation?

4A Vs. 35-37 May we not fail or falter, owing to our weakness, as we face the trails and the tribulations?

IF GOD HAS DONE EVERYTHING IN THE MATTER OF SALVATION, SUCH AS

1. Foreknew us.Predestinated us.Called us.Justified us.WGlorified us.

Then the argument would be: Thus God has done so, therefore salvation is certain.

The problem could be: Is it not possible that some power may come up and rob us of the ultimate goal?

The Answer: NO. If God be for us, who can be against us?

The word “IF” should be “SINCE”. Because there is no doubt there,

The Christian life is not a life without trails and temptations and problems. But God is one who is interested in us: Genesis 15:1; Psalms 23:4; Psalms 27:1; Psalms 46:1 and 86:1 What more could be desired? Isaiah 40 gives a good idea: Who then is bigger than God? No one. Its clear then that our salvation is secure in God.

ANOTHER CHALLENGE IS GIVINE IN ROMANS 8:32


“Is there any danger that God’s love to us lessons, or goes down, or ceases altogether?” NO

Is it possible for God to love us less or change? Is the point of Paul. Romans 5:8-10

Paul’s answer: “Surely, He that spared not His own Son. Surely cannot fail to do anything less than that in order to lead us to the ultimate goal’?

PAUL’S POINT: God’s love for His own can never fail.

DO WE REALLY NEED ALL THIS TEACHING HERE ON OUR SALVATION AND OUR SECURITY?

Yes we do. Doctrine does matter and we should teach the truth.

WHAT DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE ABOUT SALVATON GOES A LONG WAY IN YOUR BELIEFS AND UNDERSTANDING ABOUT YOUR SECURITY YOU HAVE THAT YOU ARE SAVED.

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE CROSS?

What happen at the cross? What is your understanding of what happen when Christ died on the cross?

What was the meaning of the cross: Isaiah 53:4-6, John 19:11; Acts 2:22-=23; Acts 4:26-28; 2 Corinthians 5:21

Romans 6:23 The cross was not an accident. God planned and foreordained it before the foundation of the world. And God’s action at Calvary is my guarantee of what God will yet do. 1 Peter 1:18- It was God who carred out the action and that is our assurance.

WHAT DID CHRIST ACCOMPLISH ON THECROSS? DOCTRINE OF THE ATONEMENT

FOUR IDEOLOGYS SHOULD BE CAREFULLY RMEMBERED AND PUT INTO PRACTICES

Selected Scripture and Romans 8:32 #43 in chapter 8

Charles e Whisnant, November 18 2012 Sermon # 139 in Romans

1A This doctrine is a subject only known by special revelation. Only Scripture can teach us.

2A Only a right understanding and application by faith of this truth will make you see:

1B The nature and depth of the sin out of which you have been redeemed.

2B The amazing love and power of God that accomplished your salvation.

And as you see the suffering of Christ on the cross and understand what it accomplish.

We will be lead to adoring worship and praise.

3B Understand that sincere Christians disagree about the biblical meaning of the nature and

Purpose of the atonement.

4B Every sinner in the whole world who comes to Christ will be received and accepted. The


Question is not the “whosoever will” but the “whosoever will not”.

1A THE NECESSITY OF THE ATONEMENT – WHY DID CHRIST HAVE TO DIE?

1B Once God decided to save sinners, there wasd but one way of bringing about this purpose

Be in harmony with God’s own character and the law of God.

2A THE NATURE OF THE ATONEMENT – EXACTLY WHAT DID CHRIST ACCOMPLISH BY HIS ATONING DEATH ON THE CROSS.

1B The question is not “For how many people did Christ die?”

2B The real question is this: “Did the death of Christ, in and of itself, secure, for certain, the salvation of some people, or did He death it possible for all men to be saved by an act of their “Free will?” In other words, we are not discussing “how many people Christ died for, but rather “What did Christ accomplish” by His death on the Cross!”

3B What is the one single ingredient that makes God’s plan of salvation by grace through faith in the work in one person, who believe in Christ and is saved, and not another, who rejects Christ and is lost?”

4B This why the whole plan of salvation will succeed and accomplish everything God intended in executing that plan.

5B` THE FREE WILL THEOLOGY EXPLAINED:

1C Christ died and paid the penalty for every man’s sins.

2C All men are equally redeemed by they must personally be willing to accept their redemption before it is effectual.

4B The question is: Did the Death of Christ on the Cross Accomplish the Purpose of God for the redemption of the Elect.

The redemption of Christ in and of itself actually redeems and assures the salvation of specific people, or all those given to Christ by the Father (John 10:11, 14-16 and 6:37). It does not make all men potentially redeemable. If they will do their part by being willing to be saved. Christ’s death is not just


provisional in its nature but rather it actually secures salvation for all of it objects.

The question is: WHO MAKES THE DEATH OF CHRIST A SUCCESS OR A FAILURE: GOD’S GRACE OR MAN’S WILLINGS TO ACCEPT GOD’S GRACE?

3A THE PROBLEM WITH TERMINILOGY

4A PARTICULAR ATONEMENT IS THE HISTORIC DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH

5A WHAT DOES THE WORD OF GOD ITSELF SAY ABOUT THE DEATH OF CHRIST

1B Christ’s death was voluntary therefore He has the right to totally control its results

1C John 10:17-18

2C John 3:16

` 3C Acts 2:23

4C Isaiah 53:1

2B Christ’s death was also vicarious therefore it must actually secure a real salvation for all for whom He died. Christ acts as a real and true substitute for His people. He actually collected the wages (death) which they earned, and all for whom He died will, yea must, collect the wages (righteousness) that he earned.

THE SURE FOUNDATION OF OUR ETERNAL SECURITY IS FOUND IN OUR DIVINE ELECTION

Romans 8:33

Charles e Whisnant, Teacher, Pastor January 13, 2013

Ver. 33. — Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.

Among the temptations to which the believer is exposed in this life, some are from without, others are from within. Within are the alarms of conscience, fearing the wrath of God; without are adversity and tribulations.

It is Christ that died, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession or us.’ And as to the last, ‘Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution

It is here established that the elect are saved in such a way that nothing can be laid to their charge. All their debt, then, must be paid, and all their sins must be atoned for. If full compensation has not been made, something might be laid to their charge. This shows that salvation is by justice, as well as by mercy, and gives a view of salvation that never would have entered into the heart of man. Nay, it is so far from human view, that even after it is


revealed, it still lies hid from all the world, except from those who are taught of God. And some, even of them, being slow of heart to believe, are but partially enlightened in this glorious view of the salvation of the guilty.

Ver. 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.

God Himself is pleased to justify the elect, to deliver them from condemnation, and views them as possessing perfect righteousness; and being in this justified state by the judicial sentence of God, who shall dare to condemn them?

None can discover a single sin of which to accuse them as still subjecting them to the curse of the law, and to bring them into that condemnation, from which they have been delivered by what God Himself hath done for them.

THE REASON OF OUR FREEDOM FROM CONDEMNATION:

The Apostle having said that it is God that justifieth them, next proceeds to give the reasons of their freedom from condemnation. Four grounds are here stated: —

(1) To the death of Jesus Christ as the atonement for sin, our eyes are constantly directed throughout the Scriptures, whether by types, by prophecies, or by historical descriptions of the event.

(2) Yea rather, that is risen again. — This is the second ground affirmed by the Apostle against the possibility of the condemnation of God’s elect.

What purpose would the death of Christ have served, if He had been overcome and swallowed up by it?

‘If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.’ If He be not risen, it must be because He had not expiated those sins for which He died, and was therefore retained a prisoner by death.

(3) Who is even at the right hand of God. — This is the third ground on which the security of God’s elect is rested. Jesus Christ sits at God’s right hand.

This is a figurative expression taken from the custom of earthly monarchs, to express special favor, and denotes, with respect to Christ, both dignity and power.

‘When He had by Himself purged our sins, He sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.’

Having finished the work of redemption, this was the result of His labors, and the testimony of its PERFECT ENDING: i.e. consummation.

(4) Who also maketh intercession for us. — This is the fourth and last ground of the security of God’s elect. The intercession of Jesus Christ is the second act of His priesthood, and is a necessary consequence of His sacrifice, which is the first act, and


precedes the third, namely, His coming forth from the heavenly sanctuary to bless those whom He has redeemed to God by His blood.

His intercession consists in that perpetual application which He makes to His Father; in the name of His Church, of the blood which He shed on the cross for the salvation of His people, in order to obtain for them the fruits of that oblation.

It was necessary that His sacrifice should be offered upon earth, because it was an act of His humiliation; but His intercession which supposes the establishment of righteousness and peace, is made in heaven, being an act of His exaltation.

Ver. 35. — Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

In the meditation of those glorious truths and Divine source of comfort or consolations which the Apostle had been unfolding, he had demanded, Who shall accuse, who shall condemn, the elect of God? he here triumphantly asks, Who shall separate them from the love of Christ?

Having pointed out the grounds on which the fears of behaviors from within are relieved, he now fortifies them against fears from without.

This order is the more proper, since their internal fears and misgivings are more formidable than their outward trials, and the hatred and opposition of the world; and until the believer, as has been observed, has overcome the former by having the answer of a good conscience towards God, he is not prepared to withstand the latter.

CAN WE ON THE HUMAN SIDE MESS UP OUR LIFE SO BAD WE COULD LOSE YOUR SALVATION?

Romans 8:35-37Charles e Whisnant, January 20 2013

Thus far in Romans:

1A Need of Salvation: God’s Power 1:18

2A Way of Salvation: God’s Grace 3:21

3A Life of Salvation: God’s Holiness 6:1

4A Scope of Salvation God’s Sovereignty 9:1

5A Service of Salvation God’s Glory 12:1

This 8th chapter is about the Doctrine of Final Perseverance.

Paul puts out three Challenges: God’s Attitudes toward us.


1A Are there any weakening of God’s power?

2A Are there any lessening of God’s love?

3A Are there any challenge of God’s judgments?

Now the Challenge that comes from our side:

THE LOVE OF CHRIST

Ver. 35. — Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

4A What if we should fail? Paul addresses this and answers it.

1B List of possibilities that may come to try us. There were seven.

The term the love of Christ, in itself, may signify either our love to Christ, or Christ’s love to us; but that it is Christ’s love to us in this place there can be no question.

In addition to this, it contributes more to our comfort on to have our minds fixed upon God’s love to us than upon our love to God; for, as our love is subject to many failings and infirmities, and as we are liable to change, to endeavor to impart comfort from the firmness of our love, would be less efficacious than holding forth to us the love of God, in whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of change.

God, however, in loving His children, makes them love Him; and believers are enabled to love Christ because He loves them. It is He who first loved us, and in loving us has changed our hearts, and produced in them love to Him.

To have a just idea of the love of Christ, we must contemplate its duration.

We must remember, too, who we are, who are the objects of His love, —

The love here spoken of as the security of believers being the love of Christ, Christ must be God. Were Christ not God, we might come short of heaven without being separated from His love. He might love, and yet not be able to save the objects of His love.

It is likewise to be remarked, that the confidence of believers that they shall not be separated from the love of Christ, is not founded on their high opinion of themselves, or on their own ability to remain firm against temptations, but is grounded on Christ’s love, and His ability to preserve and uphold them.

As nothing can be laid to their charge — as none can condemn them — as all things that happen to them, instead of proving injurious, work together for their good, — it is impossible that they can be finally lost. If Christ so love them, what shall separate them from that love?


SEVEN EVILS THAT WILL NOT SEPARATE THE BELIEVER FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST

1. Tribulation - It means affliction in general.2. Distress - which signifies straits, difficulties, critical situations.3. Persecution is affliction for the profession of the Gospel4. Famine. — To this the persecuted5. Nakedness . — The disciples have often been reduced to indigence and poverty,6. Peril . — This refers to the dangers to which the Lord’s people are exposed.7. Sword . — This means violence carried to the utmost extremity

How can we stand up to these interrogation?

Well the answer is this! It does not depend on us at all. He is not asking, can our live in Christ stand thse tests? But rather can the love of Christ to us stand the test? This then makes the situation entirely canged.

Ver. 36. — As it is written, For Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.


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