The Great Eight - Pt 10

But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. (Romans 8:10-11 ESV).

As I said at the beginning of this journey through the eighth chapter of Romans, we would be here for a while. Over the last ten days we have really just scratched the surface of the meaning of these principles. Today, we’re going to look again at a part of yesterday’s reading. Since its Valentine’s Day also, I thought the timing was good for us to examine what the gift of God’s grace means to us a bit more. It is centered in the work of redemption in Christ. Paul says, If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you (v. 11). Let’s see if I can make this a bit clearer in a practical way. First, it means that our destiny, the end of this life, will be a “seat” in the heavenly places (cf. Ephesians 2:6). To understand this image we need to recognize how the typical meal looked for the first century Jew. Today most people merely eat when they can and where they can. It is a necessary evil. In the Biblical context mealtime was an event. It affirmed kinship, friendship, and good will. The seating acknowledged your status and recognized a peaceful disposition and commitment to those at the table. It was a declaration of personal relationship. If we get a seat in the heavenly places with Jesus, it means we are a part of His family; we are trusted friends with a deep relationship. Jesus said, No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15 ESV). Second, in Christ Jesus all the promises of God are “yes” for us (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:20). All of the “if/then” statements of Scripture are ours. All of these statements are more than promises; they are law. Laws are different than commandments in the Scripture. Laws always give us clear direction. It’s much like math. If you add one to one, you will always get two. You will never get less or more. You get two. There is incredible assurance in that truth. God is giving us great clarity in living our life. Believe in Jesus, get eternal life; sow good seed, get a good harvest. There are many more; however, here’s what so important for us to recognize. God is not selective with his children. We are all loved, because we are all redeemed. All of His promises are yours. That’s a real Valentine’s gift!