Chapel in the Hills

After stating God's choice to love Jacob and hate Esau, Paul turns his focus to answering a possible objection that one might have: Is there injustice with God? Another to discuss this topic is whether God is fair? In a culture that pushes equity, that all should have equal outcomes, this is certainly an objection the modern reader would have.

One of the key phrases in this passage is "the children of promise." While Israel contains many who are not faithful to God and His Law, God has always maintained a remnant within Israel. In the New Covenant age, God will still have a remnant within Israel who will follow their Messiah, Jesus Christ.

In this passage, Paul begins a significant section on God's plan for ethnic Israel and how they fit into the salvation plan of the New Covenant. In the first five verses, Paul defines what he means by Israel and carries this through the rest of his argument from chapters 9-11.

Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? The answer to this question is a profound "NO!" Paul demonstrates that we are secure in God's electing love, which is clarified in the "Golden Chain," which should give us security that we will persevere until the end if we are truly in Christ.

If God is for us, who can stand against us? What comfort does the believer have in the mighty love of God, who sent His own Son to secure our pardon? We can bank on this Gospel that there is no condemnation in light of Christ's perfect sacrifice.

In what many pastors and theologians have referred to as "Paul's Golden Chain," we see the amazing sovereign election of God's adopted children. He promises to conform us into the image of His Son, which is the believer's greatest hope.

Paul teaches us a masterclass on God's sovereignty over our lives and calls us to trust God in every circumstance. He works all things according to His good and perfect will, even when we don't understand His purposes for those who love HIm.

What are we waiting for? Christians groan inwardly as we wait for the full realization of our adoption - the redemption of our bodies. Ours is a future hope in a future kingdom, where we will be as Christ is - body, soul, and spirit.

We have a hope as Christians that cannot be taken away from us, which is that our future glorification is secure in Christ. In fact, all of creation groans as it waits for the revealing of the sons of God. It is in this hope that we patiently wait.

One of the most amazing truths of Scripture is that in Christ we are adopted children of God, by which we can cry out to Him, Abba Father! In this study, we will look at the security we have in Christ and all that entails.

There are two mindsets the define every human who has ever existed. The first mindset is the mindset of the flesh, which proves to be death. The second mindset is the mindset of the Spirit, which proves to be life. If you have the Spirit of God dwelling in you, you will be characterized by the mindset of the Spirit, which leads to righteousness.

The apex of Paul's argument is found in Romans 8:1, with the statement, "There is therefore no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus!" Perhaps this statement alone provides the most comfort to the believer within the whole of Scripture? Nevertheless, this statement connects Paul's argument of the Law with its fulfillment in Christ and the believer's new relationship with the Law.

Paul recognizes that nothing good dwells in his flesh, but that he has a new nature and a new mind to do battle with the flesh. Thus, there are two laws or principles at work in his life. Ultimately, He cries out, "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" Only Christ Jesus can do provide this type of deliverance.

Paul, wrestling with the flesh, states, "For I do not understand my own actions..." Every believer in Christ Jesus can and should identify with this statement because we are in an "already but not yet" phase of existence. We have been born again, but we are in the body of sin and death. Thus, we battle against the flesh with our new natures.

Paul defends the fact that it was not the Law that is sinful, but rather it is the Law reveals sin. The Law acts as a mirror that reveals the brokenness of our hearts. Thus, the Law is good because it reflects the righteous character and requirements of God.

What is the believer's relationship to the Law of Moses after he or she is saved? For the believer, they are now dead to the Law because they have been buried with Christ. Nevertheless, Christians are called to produce the fruit of righteousness according to the Spirit of the Law.

All people are born as slaves of sin and are dead in their trespasses. However, Paul makes the case that for those who have been born again, they are now slaves of God and of righteousness. Therefore, Christians are now to live according to the fruit of righteousness. Thus, the end of sin is death, but the end of righteousness is eternal life.