Read Romans 8:1-32

Highlights:

The new law of life in the Spirit; Israel's failure because of unbelief; a means of mercy for the Gentiles.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (Rom. 8:14).

Some people are guilty of grieving the Holy Spirit because they are seeking His power merely to perform a variety of good deeds. The heart is deceitful above all things (Jer. 17:9) and, often under the guise of doing good things, is guilty of “puffing up” the self-image. God is more concerned about what you are than about what you do for Him. We can do godly things without being godly. We can feed the hungry, work with the sick and hand out Bibles in the street, but none of this is a guarantee of the love of Christ being in our hearts. Does the outward give a reflection of the inward? The answer is yes. However, there could be differing motivations for giving the appearance of serving God. Our service may not be from a true servant's heart. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity (Matt. 7:22-23).

Many Christians today have endeavoured to live the Christian life in their own strength. But it is only when the believer accepts his own powerlessness and turns to the Holy Spirit that he will seek after and attain the likeness of Christ. We have no hope of truly serving God without the Holy Spirit working in our hearts and lives. The Holy Spirit will empower us to walk upright and Christlike before the world. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual (1 Cor. 2:13).

The fundamental law of following Christ is this: If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it (Matt. 16:24-25). Turn from your old life of seeking to please self and allow the Spirit of God to work in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13).

Live in faith that the care of your life is in the hands of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. Thus, with the loving presence of Christ in you, the living likeness of Christ will be seen through you. With Christ living inside us, we will walk in His will. We will do the things that He desires for us to do. We will no longer live for our own will, but for the will of the Father.

Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh (Gal. 5:16).

Thought for Today:

Once we have been enlightened by God's Word, we have a responsibility to act upon it.

Cross References:

For Rom. 8:36: See Ps. 44:22. Rom 9:7: See Gen. 21:12. Rom. 9:9: See Gen. 18:10. Rom. 9:12: See Gen. 25:23. Rom. 9:13: See Mal. 1:2-3. Rom. 9:15: See Ex. 33:19. Rom. 9:17: See Ex. 9:16. Rom. 9:25: See Hos. 2:23. Rom. 9:26: See Hos. 1:10. Rom. 9:27-28: See Is. 10:22-23. Rom. 9:29: See Is. 1:9. Rom. 9:33: See Is. 28:16. Rom. 10:5: See Lev. 18:5. Rom. 10:6-7: See Deut. 30:12-13. Rom. 10:8: See Deut. 30:14. Rom. 10:11: See Is. 49:23. Rom. 10:13: See Joel 2:32. Rom. 10:15: See Is. 52:7. Rom. 10:16: See Is. 53:1. Rom. 10:18: See Ps. 19:4. Rom. 10:19: See Deut. 32:21. Rom. 10:20: See Is. 65:1. Rom. 10:21: See Is. 65:2.

Word Studies:

9:15 compassion, grace, mercy, gentleness, loving-kindness; 10:21 gainsaying, faultfinding, contradicting, opposing.

Prayer Suggestion: Pray and call upon the Lord with assurance that He will answer if you pray with a godly spirit free from sin (Is. 58:9-11).

Memory Verse for the Week: Titus 2:13