Romans 8 is beautiful! v12 says we are not obligated to the flesh, to live according to it – our obligation was released by faith in the finished work of Christ at the cross. I CAN sin, but I’m not bound to it any longer.

v15 – we’ve received a Spirit of adoption… 16 the Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God 17 … (we are) co-heirs with Christ.

This world is hard and suffering is real, but so is our inheritance. We were born sinners, under condemnation, but IN Christ, we gain more than just being an heir – kleronomoi – but immediately Paul strengthens his statement to co-heirs – SYNkleronomoi = co-inheritor.

I’m mindful of John 10 Jesus saying that no one can take us from his hand, nor from the Father’s hand.

So the connection to the Love of God is deeper than emotion or feeling, but there is a legal commitment, knowledge, and purpose of God.

v23 – The Spirit, elsewhere is called a deposit, but here is called a firstfruit – God gave him to us as a taste of a greater harvest / inheritance that is to come – aparchen = firstfruit or first piece.

My bride often makes cupcakes. When she does, she brings me one, the first one, it’s just a taste, but I know that a whole plate is in the other room. The Spirit is a first piece, first taste, first fruit… of what God has for me in the other room

v25 – we hope for what we do not see

v26-27 – the Spirit helps us pray right and intercedes for us

v28 – then we all quote – all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Too Often one of two things happens here. 1) we stop right there on that verse alone 2) we read the next verses without connecting them to this verse. God has a connection based on legal obligation, his knowledge of who we are, and his purpose in adopting us.

v29 – for those he proginosko (knew beforehand) – those God knew beforehand would become his adopted sons (children) – How do we become his adopted sons? John 1:12 – to as many as received him… believed in his name… gave the right to become the children of God. “To all” – hosoi = whatever, as many as, how much, inasmuch, those whom – “THOSE” – he – proorizo = predetermined, foreordained, predestined – to WHAT? to be conformed to the image of his Son.

God knew I would receive, believe, and become his child, with full rights and become a Co-Heir WITH Christ – So,

v30 he called… justified… glorified me. All of that action is “past tense” from antecedent history, that I would be a son that shares in the inheritance of Christ.

v31 what then are we to say about those things? – Oh we are going somewhere here – what then are we to stay… if God is for us, who can be against us?

Oh I Might SHOUT HERE!

v32 he who did not spare his own son… will he not also grant everything?

* All of this Connects us to the Love of God

In ancient Hebrew Law, you could not disinherit an Adopted Child. We have been Adopted, knowing we would believe, receive, and become his children – He knows that while I may not appear as much right now, He is Conforming me to the image of Christ, so that Christ is the Firstborn of MANY Sons – That’s his Purpose – SO

v35 – WHO – Greek word is tis – a pronoun interrogative meaning it asks a question. tis = who? what? which? why? – So, “who, what, which, why, how can we be separated from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Make a List – can it?

v37 NO – in all things we are MORE than conquerors through him who Loved US… It’s not that I loved HIM, but that he LOVED ME…

It’s not just emotionally, but willfully, purposefully, legally, with full knowledge of me and what he is doing in me.

<–SHOUT GOES HERE–>

v38 for I am pitho – persuaded, assured, confident, convinced… neither death nor life, angels nor rulers, nor present nor future, nor powers, height, depth, not ANY other created thing… will be ABLE (dynamai = have power) to separate us from the Love of God that is IN Christ Jesus our Lord

Come On NOW…

Are you IN Christ? Then you are IN the Love of God

if you are NOT in Christ, you CAN be… as many as, to all that… That’s YOU… ANY you

Alright, Alright, I can STAND on that