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Extreme Life – Life Through the Spirit
Verses 38 and 39 are the concluding statements of Romans chapter 8, and are also the thoughts around which the VBX leadership team created the theme for this year’s kids’ camp. We are teaching the students about Bible characters who lived extreme lives with God. The will be learning about Elijah and Esther. Jesus, of course, is the crowning example because He lived fully in obedience to the Spirit of God. And this is the general concept of Romans chapter 8. Living in obedience to the Spirit is an extreme life, and yet, it is also the only source of life. Verse 9 says, “And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” This amazing chapter describes how to live by the Sprit by saying in verse 13, “For is you live according to the sinful nature, you will die, but if by the Sprit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,” This chapter shows how God cares for us, teaches us, and lives in us by the power of His Spirit. His promises made to those who live by the Sprit are extreme – life, freedom, peace, sonship, hope, intercession, and victory!! We wonder and worry about the things listed in verse 28. When and how will death and life happen? (Only God knows.) Are angels and demons real, and have I ever dealt with them? (Yes. Ask God to reveal them to you when and if He deems it necessary.) Can I change the present and the future? (Yes. Humble yourself completely to God’s authority and promises in this chapter about living by the Spirit.) I’m sure these aren’t the only questions and answers that we have about the things listed in this verse, but rest assured that God promises that if we have the Spirit living in us, and live by it, that we will not be separated from the love of God. What matters more than that?
After Alan’s convicting sermon yesterday, Romans 8:28 is music to my ears. Realizing all the areas of my life that I have not given God authority over, knowing I have blown it and keep blowing it, I despair at my lot. Could God cause these things I despise to work together and result in my good? I don’t deserve that! But the awesome God of the universe, sees all the righteousness of Jesus when He looks at me, and I am the partaker with Him of all the good and all the love He has for His Son. I know this, why can’t I remember it when facing struggles and thinking I can work it out on my own? God knows I need reminders just as He knows every ugly thing in my life. Thank you, Hannah, for reminding me.
Cheri, you write beautifully, you deserve to be addressed by your correct name. I was having a senior moment when I called you Hannah. Where in the world did that come from?