Special writing on Romans 8 – All of Nature Waits – November 28, 2023

I have found Romans 8 to be an interesting scripture to explore. GOD uses HIS handiwork to reveal Himself to all people, even to nature and through nature. GOD’S number one desire is for those HE made to search for HIM AND TO BUILD THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM THROUGH FAITH IN HIS ONE AND ONLY SON, JESUS, THE CHRIST. FAITH IN JESUS RESULTS IN A PERSON BEING BORN-AGAIN IN HIS OR HER SPIRIT. WHEN A PERSON IS BORN INTO GOD’S FAMILY, THEY ARE SPIRITUAL INFANTS AND MUST BE FED THE MILK OF GOD’S WORD FIRST. AS HE OR SHE GROWS SPIRITUALLY, THE SPIRIT BORN PERSON CAN BE FED THE MEAT OF GOD’S WORD. Pray that we can grow Spiritually to be fed the meat of GOD’S Word.

Studying the book of John is a good place to begin. 

All Spirit-born Christians are expecting the return of JESUS at any time. The signs of HIS return are ever more prominent. But keep in mind that only GOD knows the instant that HE will tell JESUS to respond. At that moment, JESUS will appear in the sky and take all Spirit-born people from earth to Heaven. Those who have not been born-again will be left behind on earth. This will be the second coming of JESUS. As we read Romans 8, we will learn that all of nature waits for its full and complete redemption – let’s explore!

Romans 8:1-39: The Life-Giving Spirit

8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, [a] 2 because the law[b] of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you[c] free from the law[d] of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do since it was weakened by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son (JESUS) in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering, [e] 4 in order that the law’s requirement would be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit. 6 Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mindset of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed, it is unable to do so. 8 Those, who are in the flesh, cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him. 10 Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit[f] gives life[g] because of righteousness (Salvation is the instant a person asks JESUS to forgive him/her for his/her sins and for JESUS to come into his/her body believing that JESUS’ death paid, in full, for that person’s sins. Thus, Spiritual birth into GOD’S Family) 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through[h] his Spirit who lives in you.

The Holy Spirit’s Ministries

12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, 13 because if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons/daughters. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, [i] Father!” 16 The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

From Groans to Glory

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation eagerly awaits with anticipation for God’s sons/daughters to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly, but because of him who subjected it—in the hope 21 that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. 23 Not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the first fruits—we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 Now in this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? 25 Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.

26 In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us[j] with inexpressible groanings. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Did you know that as a Spirit-born person you are a Saint and GOD has plans to use you according to HIS will and purpose while you remain upon earth. GOD equips those HE chooses. 

The Holy Spirit, Himself, searches our hearts and KNOWS the mind of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and lives within every Spirit-born person and communicates with GOD’S Children. Awesome – Listen carefully! Remember, the still small voice of GOD, yet so powerful. When GOD speaks, we are to listen and respond! And so does nature. In John 38:38-40, we read - “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b]

“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

40 “I tell you, “He (JESUS) replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (JESUS was going into Jerusalem and would be crucified because of sin. Nature is under the authority of GOD. HE Calms the Sea --be still, wind cease, thank YOU FATHER.)

28 We know that (GOD is at work in all things to bring about good.) all things work together[k] for the good[l] of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those he foreknew he also predestined (Ephesians 1:3-6) to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified. 

When a person accepts JESUS as his/her Savior that person’s name is written in the Lambs Book of Life.

[ Ephesians 1: 3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. [c] 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.[d] 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ 10 as a plan for the right time[e]—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.

11 In him we have also received an inheritance, [f] because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, 12 so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.

13 In him (JESUS) you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. 14 The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.]

Nature is under the authority of GOD. In Luke 19:

The Believer’s Triumph

31 What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything? 33 Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. 34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. 35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

Because of you

we are being put to death all day long.

we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. [m]

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Read the Bible and talk to GOD, which is prayer. Let HIM know your needs and for HIM to guide you and teach you as you grow Spiritually.

Thank YOU, FATHER, for human life by YOUR choice and eternal life through my choice because of the love JESUS had for all humans. 

JESUS gave HIS perfect life to redeem all who will place their faith in HIM and HIS passion. Even though we were predestined, all must take a step of faith. Ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your life now. Ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for JESUS to come into your life and to confirm YOUR presence in your life by the witness of the Holy Spirit within you through the miracle of Spiritual birth into GOD’S eternal Family. 

JESUS loves you and gave HIS sinless life just for you!

JESUS is coming again – Be ready!

Blessings!!!