March 7th, Saturday: Romans 8 & 9

Rom 8

We'll learn about liberty.

We enter God's family by the new birth, not by adoption.

But adoption gives us an adult's standing in His family.

He deals with us as mature sons and daughters, and not as little children.

We can talk, 'Abba Father.'

We can walk and use our inheritance right now.

We're free, but we're still debtors to the Lord.

We'll read about hope.

We're not frustrated by the suffering we experienced or see in our world because we have assurance & steadfast hope.

When Jesus returns, we will enter into glorious liberty.

The Spirit is the beginning of the harvest and assures us that the best is yet to come.

And we'll read about guidance.

God's purpose is to make His children like His Son, and He will succeed.

The Spirit intercedes for us and guides us as we pray.

And the circumstances of life work for our good, no matter how painful they may be.

He is conforming you and me into the image of Jesus Christ.

We'll also read about love.

The Spirit of God makes the love of God real to us.

You can count on that.

The Father is for us.

The Son is for us.

And the Holy Spirit is for us.

That ought to be very encouraging news for us, that God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit is on our side!

See, nothing can separate us from His love.

Is there any reason why we should not be more than conquerors?

Rom 9

In the part of the Bible that emphasizes the the sovereignty of God, we see Paul sorrowing.

We see him praying and woshipping.

He did not feel that God's sovereignty in any way destroyed man's responsibility.

The God who ordains the end, (that is saving the lost,) also ordains the means to the end.

The prayers & witness of His people - they go together.

God is not obligated to save anybody.

For all deserved to be condemned.

Even Israel was chosen only because of His grace and love.

Therefore nobody can criticize God or say that He is unfair.

That He is merciful to sinners should make us rejoice.

Israel's rejection of Christ did not ruin God's plan, for He went to the Gentiles, who gladly received the Good News.

However God does have a remnant among the Jews.

And believing Jews and Gentiles are one in the church.

That's because His mercy endures forever.