What theological principle was encouraging to you this week in Romans 5-8?
I found all of Romans 8 to be very encouraging this week, but if I had to pick just one part, I would have to point to verses 31-39
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,
Romans 8:31-39
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The past couple of months have been incredibly difficult for me. Distractions at both work and home have left me feeling, in a word, disconnected. But Romans 8:31-39 reminds me that God still loves me even in times like these, and nothing can separate me from His Love.
Additionally, the testimony given at church this past Sunday is also very encouraging in this season. God is faithful, even when I am not. Like a certain pastor once said, “God loves you (me), and there is nothing you (I) can do about it.”
Paul says we are to be slaves to righteousness. What does the word slave imply?
For me, the word slave immediately brings to mind the word bondage. Bondage, as defined in Websters Dictionary, is as follows;
- the tenure or service of a villein, serf, or slave
- a state of being bound usually by compulsion (as of law or mastery): such as
- CAPTIVITY, SERFDOM
- servitude or subjugation to a controlling person or force
The second definition there is I believe what Paul had in mind when he contrasted the slavery of sin and the slavery of righteousness. What motivates us? What compels us? While sin once motivated us, It is now righteousness that compels.
Specify a time this week that you lived according to the Spirit.
This question is a tough one this week. And a convicting one at that. As mentioned previously, I’ve had a pretty tough couple of months. Not only have I allowed myself to be distracted by my work, but I have also allowed myself to be distracted by various projects at home. These things of the flesh have pulled my mind away from the things of the Spirit.
That said, Romans 8 reminded me this week, specifically when Paul says, “those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit” (v.5), how vital worship music has been in my walk with Christ. Specifically, in the beginning, when distractions and temptations surrounded me, it was worship music that helped me keep my eyes fixed on Him.
This is, of course, in addition to reading scripture. It’s very easy for me to read scripture in the morning and then just go about my day. As if I’m checking off a box and nothing more. But things like listening to worship music or podcasts help keep my focus on Him throughout the day.
I realized that as I have been walking through this valley the past couple of months, I have been so “busy” (sorry for the curse word), so distracted, that I hadn’t even taken 5 seconds to turn on some music to worship and praise Him. Sure I have listened to some worship music in the car, but ever since COVID hit and I have been working from home, I have less time in the car and more and more time at my desk in my bedroom. Usually, I have a podcast or some worship music playing while I work, but as things got crazy at work, this seemed to be the first thing I let slip. And it should have been the last.
So, that was the long way of saying that I have turned the worship music back on in an attempt to live more according to the Spirit and to help keep my eyes fixed on Him. And I can honestly say that it didn’t take long to notice the difference. I was almost immediately convicted of other areas that I have let slip during this season of distraction. And while I won’t say that I have come out of the valley just yet, it does certainly feel like I am on my way.