Romans 8

CONTEXT: We need to look back at Chapter 7 for a moment and note that Paul had ended that chapter v.14-25 speaking about the conflict he had between knowing what was right and doing what was right. In otherwards his sinfulness kept getting in the way of his striving to be Holy (more like Christ).

Paul then begins Chapter 8 with a profound statement v.1, Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]. he spends the first 25 verse speaking about how we, true believers have escaped the bondage of sin.

Then beginning in v.26 until the end of the chapter, Paul explains why, because our Victory [over sin] is found not in ourselves but in Christ.

I want to point out a few things about the Victory in Jesus, from the bondage of sin to the fellowship with Christ:

It is only for those who are called according to his purpose.

God knew from time eternal, those folks, those whom He would call For whom he did foreknow

God had a predetermined plan for His chosen, he also did predestinate

God plan was for His chosen to be like Christ, made holy through Christ’s sacrifice at Calvary, to be conformed to the image of his Son

The important thing we all need to recognize immediately is our role in all of this, it is missing as it were. It is never about us and always about God. Yes, we must surrender all in the Order of Salvation, our conversion, when we willingly respond to the Holy Spirit pricking our hearts with the Gospel call. Yet that response is only because God calls, not because we desire Him on our own.

The last thing in the Chain above is Glorification the hope that drives true believers. The thing we get to look forward to in eternity that can never be achieved here in this, the ultimate and final removal of all sin from our lives.