GOD’S LOVE IS OUR HOPE IN THE RESURRECTION-Rom.8

In this study we will find as we continue to go through the rest of Rom.8 that the hope that is in us for the resurrection is possible because we know God loves us. Beginning at vs.16,17 where we left off in our last study. Where we saw that there is suffering Paul talks about that believers go through as they "suffer with Christ". And that this suffering is the spirit birthed in us groaning in anticipation for the resurrection while living in these natural bodies that are subject to mortality. Making "groanings that can not be uttered".

In this later portion of ch.8 Paul goes to great lengths to assure these believing Jews of just how much God loves them. Saying in vs.19-21 that it is these sufferings that show, "the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God."

This "creature made subject to vanity" represents the animals, birds, and creeping things that have been unwillingly subjected to the bondage of corruption that was revealed when man was sent from the garden.

But, will be "delivered from the bondage of corruption" when the glorious liberty from corruption, that is mortality, is manifested in the children of God at the resurrection.

This is what Paul says when in vs.22,23 he writes, "For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." Which is the resurrection. The putting on of immortality.

The pain he speaks of here is again caused by the spirit's desire to be clothed with the new body. A new body that in 1Cor.15 Paul says is immortal and incorruptible because it is not subject to death as are the bodies we now have that are just like Adam's was when he was made.

And in the next few verses Paul shows that this is our hope. And that it is our hope because we have not yet received the new body. So we continue in hope until the resurrection. Hope because we have not yet received it. As no one hopes for what he already has. But, only for that which he does not yet have. But, expects to receive.

A hope that Paul refers to in Rom.5:5 that gives us confidence because we know God's love for us. A love that He has sent the Holy Spirit to shed abroad in our hearts to help us in our infirmities. Infirmities for which the Spirit itself makes intercession because sometimes we don't know exactly how to pray.

But, God that searches our hearts knows what our spirit's are thinking. Because our spirit is in constant communication with God's Spirit. So He makes intercession for us according to His will for our lives. This is why Paul writes in vs.28 that all things work together for the good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.

Because we who love the Lord have submitted to His will as God works in us and through our circumstances to bring us to the mature believers He predestinated all men to be. A predestination that is for all men who have ever lived.

But, one that is only realized in those who will of their own free will choose to believe the gospel when they hear it. Because it is only after making this free will choice that men receive the gift of faith by which they receive eternal life.

This predestination Paul speaks of here is the answer to Jesus' statement that "many are called but few are chosen". The called are all men that have ever lived. Those in Mt.22:9-11 the master sent His servants into the hiways and byways to call to His banquet.

But, the chosen only become the chosen when of their own free will they say yes to the master's call. Because everyone who by their own free will says yes is given the gift of faith by which they receive the gift of eternal life. This is what Paul said in Eph.2:8,9. Through the spiritual birth that happens in all who choose to believe.

So predestination is not God choosing some for heaven and the rest for hell before He made us. God calls all men to His banqueting table. But, only those who say yes to His call when they hear the gospel are allowed there.

So predestination is what Peter said in his epistle. That all men are called because it is not God's will that any should perish. But, that all would come to repentance.

This is what causes Paul to ask and answer this rhetorical question in Rom.8:31 and following about God's love for all mankind,

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

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.

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."

Once we are in Jesus nothing can change that.

And isn't it interesting that in ch.9 there are so many that would have us believe that Paul is there attempting to show that God loves only a few and the rest he hates? Using a statement about Jacob and Esau as proof that these few were chosen before God made the world for God's love. While the many were to be hated so much by God that the reason He made them was to spend an eternity in the lake of fire with no choice and through no fault of their own. But, just because God "made them that way".

Truly an incredible belief having been told plainly that "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..."! And that it is not His will that any should perish. But, that all men would come to repentance.

In our next study in Romans we will look at what God says about this. And we will see that His love is for all men. Just as Paul has so eloquently stated here in this chapter. And what God was really saying about Jacob and Esau there.

A love that Rom.2:4 says it is through His kindness that God leads men to repentance. A love that the whole of the scriptures reveals to us is reaching out to all men to bring them into a relationship with Him. A relationship that neither Adam in the garden, nor anyone else before Jesus came, could ever know.

This is why Jesus said "Ye must be born again". Because what is born of the flesh is only flesh. And only relates with the senses the flesh is equipped with. And what is born of the Spirit is spirit. And now can relate to spiritual things. So only those who have been born again have a spirit so they can now relate to God and His kingdom on a spiritual level.

Having eternal life now because we know Him. And immortality at the resurrection because we are sealed with the Holy Spirit for that purpose unto the day of our redemption. The day when we put off these mortal bodies. And put on the immortal body that will live with God eternally because of the spirit He has birthed in us when we said yes to the gospel to receive the gift of faith.

If you will say yes to the gospel God will give to you the gift of faith.

A gift you must receive because only by it can you receive the gift of eternal life. This is why Paul said in Rom.1:17, "The just(righteous) shall live by faith". Which Jesus said in John17:3 is knowing Him.

In Rom.10:9,10 Paul said if you will confess Jesus is Lord. And believe He has raised from the dead. You will be saved. Because it is with the heart that man believes for righteousness. And it is with your mouth that you make confession for eternal life.

If you will do this you will be saved. If you will do this you will have eternal life and immortality. If you will do this you will be made a child of God and therefore an heir to His kingdom. If you will do this... then I will see you there or in the air!

This message can also be heard at: https://rumble.com/v2utlvf-gods-love-is-our-hope-in-the-resurrection-rom.8.html