The Gospel Call

The Gospel Call
Exodus 35-37 | Psalm 29 | Romans 8

For many Christians, the book of Romans is one of special significance; and for many of these, the eighth chapter is particularly special. I share a similar view of Romans 8, counting it as one of my favourite chapters in the Bible because in this chapter, the Apostle also known as "The Evangelist" (Paul), partially restates and then concludes His exposition of the outworking and effects of God's plan for the salvation of mankind.

After stating that "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (v.1), Paul shows that there are indeed two ways to live: by the law of sin and death, or under the Spirit. This teaching reminds us of the preceeding chapters, where we found that Christians are no longer slaves to sin, but are slaves to righteousness; and here Paul comments that "you...are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you" (v.9a).

The Holy Spirit is indeed a wonderful gift given by God to all believers - He is not "a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear" - He is the Spirit of Sonship: when we are united with Christ through faith, forgiven by God through grace, and receivers of the Holy Spirit through love, we have truly become children of God and we receive the blessings due to God's children: a relationship with God and assurance of eternal life with Him.

Paul then again retraces the gospel message: "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified" (vv.29-30). When the world is viewed in comparison to such a grand scheme it is impossible not to remark, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"(v.31)

Finally, Paul concludes that God's love is insurmounatble:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (vv.35-39)

Praise God for calling you, and reflect on the ways in which He has shown you His love.