Living in the 8th Chapter

When I was in seminary years ago, a professor of mine once asked us, "Are you living in the 8th chapter today?"  We were studying Paul's letter to the Romans and just recently finished a study of the 8th chapter of Romans when he asked that question.  What did he mean by asking the question?  Paul opens the 8th chapter of Romans saying, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the Law of sin and death."  The point of these opening words in Romans 8:1-2 is that we no longer have to live lives that are driven by our sin-filled human natures.  We can now live a life that is powered by the wind of God's Spirit and love.  We can choose to walk with God, not walk away from God.  To live in the 8th chapter of Romans is to live a life that walks with God, a life that is powered by the winds of God's Spirit and love.

It also means, as Paul writes in Romans 8:28, that God can work all things - both good and bad - into his greater purpose, and we will see this greater purpose played out in our lives if we are willing to love him and walk with him according to his purpose.  What this means is that we have to let God lead.  We don't walk with God telling him where we want to go in life.  We walk with God, letting God show us where to walk next.  Every fork in the road is a decision that needs to be led by God.

Such a walk can be lonely at times. While it is easy to visualize the Lord walking with us, leading us along the way, the truth about any journey with God is that there are times when God's presence feels far away.  There are times when we wonder where God is, or even why God has abandoned us.  It can cause us to ask, "Does God really care - does God love us still?"  Paul answers, Romans 8:38-39, that God still loves us, and always will.  In fact, Paul tells us that there is nothing in all creation that can ever make God stop loving us.  Hence, we walk by faith in confidence that God will provide the necessary direction when we need it along the journey.  We claim the promise that God loves us still.

All of us are on a journey going somewhere in life.  Some are looking for the next happy hour along the way, while others are trying to find a life that has meaning - one that makes a difference.  For the Christian is who walking with God, one question to ask is - Are you living in the 8th chapter as you walk with God?  There is no condemnation for those who walk with God.  He can use everything we do - both good and bad - and weave it into a journey that takes us where we need to be - if we are willing to love him and are willing to be called according to His purpose.  And when the road gets lonely - and it will at times - we can claim his promise and know by faith that He will always love us.

Life can be good, when you're living in the 8th chapter.

Blessings,

Dennis