Freedom Road 4

Romans 8:31 CSB

What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

INTRO—

So, this road…

Frees Us from Fear…(8.1-17)

Of Condemnation

Of the Flesh

Of Abandonment

Is Built… (8.18-30)

On God’s Promises

For God’s Purposes

Holman New Testament Commentary: Romans III. Conclusion: The True Meaning of Freedom

Is Romans 8 the greatest chapter in the Bible? If it is not, it could only be because another portion states its message even more clearly, for the message of chapter 8 is surely the greatest: for those who are in Jesus Christ there is freedom from condemnation and all its attendant fears, and a new life in the Spirit that guarantees our ultimate and eternal glorification in the presence of God.

…and we celebrate our FREEDOM…

John 8:32 CSB

You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

2 Corinthians 3:17 CSB

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

James 1:25 CSB

But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works—this person will be blessed in what he does.

…and...

Isaiah 61:1 CSB

The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners;

Today, in vv. 31-39, we see (read, are informed…) that “WE ARE SECURE ON THIS ROAD!

Paul lists two really big reasons for our security...

God SAVES Us. [Romans 8.31-34]

He gave his son for us! [8.31-32; Our Substitute]

Isaiah 53:5 CSB

But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds.

1 Peter 3:18 CSB

For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,

John 1:29 CSB

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

1 John 4:10 CSB

Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

He defends us! [8.33; Our Justifier]

Romans 3:23–26 CSB

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God presented him as the mercy seat by his blood, through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his restraint God passed over the sins previously committed. God presented him to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so that he would be just and justify the the one who has faith in Jesus.

He sets us free! [8.34; Our Intercessor]

Romans 8:1 CSB

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus,

Hebrews 7:25 CSB

Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them.

God SUSTAINS Us. [Romans 8.35-39]

Read text. Notice the way Paul focuses us in here...

A — Who can separate us? (35)

B — Can death separate us? (36) [Psalm 44.22]

C — WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERERS! (37)

B’ — SO, neither death nor life can separate us! (38)

A’ — SO, nothing else can separate us! (39)

GOD’S LOVE!

John 3:16 CSB

For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

Also seen throughout Paul’s letters as he encourages fellow Christ followers:

2 Thessalonians 2:13 CSB

But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

CONCL—

Holman New Testament Commentary: Romans III. Conclusion: The True Meaning of Freedom

John Chrysostom (A.D. 347?–407), eventually patriarch of Constantinople, earned the moniker “golden-mouth” because of his eloquent sermons against the lavish excesses of his day. This earned him no favor with Roman authorities, and when he was brought before the Roman emperor he was threatened with banishment if he remained a Christian. Chrysostom’s reply to the emperor reflects the insight of one who understands that true freedom in life comes with freedom in the Spirit and security in the love of God:

“Thou canst not banish me for this world is my father’s house.”

“But I will slay thee,” said the emperor.

“Nay, thou canst not,” said the noble champion of the faith, “for my life is hid with Christ in God.”

“I will take away thy treasures.”

“Nay, but thou canst not for my treasure is in heaven and my heart is there.”

“But I will drive thee away from man and thou shalt have no friend left.”

“Nay, thou canst not, for I have a friend in heaven from whom thou canst not separate me. I defy thee; for there is nothing that thou canst do to hurt me.” (cited by Hughes, p. 171)

Romans 8:39 CSB

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.