Glory of Christ in Romans 8

Glory of Christ #1 … 8:1 … There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

1. What a wonderful verse of scripture! Our condemnation is cleared! Christ is the reason!
2. When we open the chapter, a conclusion is made from the previous one (Rom 7:24-25).
3. Without Jesus Christ, God’s gift for hopeless sinners, we will all be condemned forever.
4. Condemnation = judged guilty to be punished = eternal damnation for sin (Mark 3:29).
5. No matter how bad your life might get, it is nothing compared to eternal punishment.
6. The first verse has three great doctrines – salvation, union with Christ, sanctification.
7. There is only one way out of your horrible future – God seeing you legally in His Son.
8. If in His Son legally, seen clearly since dying on the cross, condemnation is eliminated.
9. We get into Christ for salvation by God’s election and predestination (Rom 8:29-30).
10. We do not get into Christ for salvation by faith, baptism, membership, good works, etc.
11. There is only one way to know you are in Christ – a lifestyle dictated by the Holy Spirit.
12. This compound clause, teaching holy living for evidence, is missing in modern versions.

Glory of Christ #2 … 8:38-39 … For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1. Maybe a little strange to go from the first verse to the last, but see the same key element.
2. Here is the conclusion or a summary to the chapter, for the next verse is very different.
3. God’s everlasting love, the only kind He has, can never be taken away, for it is in Christ.
4. So we begin the chapter and end the chapter with the same emphasis of being in Christ.
5. Our union with Christ, called the eternal union, began by election in Christ in eternity.
6. The everlasting covenant is certain and sure, divinely and morally logical and settled.
7. God’s love for us is in His Son, whom He gave for us, guaranteeing love (Rom 8:32).
8. God and His Son’s love for you, not redundant or the same, is the only guaranteed love.
9. Paul was persuaded of it, and he by inspiration listed ten things Christians might fear.
10. His list is complete enough – nothing can hinder or interrupt God’s love for His sons.
11. Are you persuaded of His love for you? It should drastically alter your life for Him.
12. The truth here refutes the heresy God loves everyone, for most are separated from it.

Glory of Christ #3 … 8:3 … For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

1. Paul declared no condemnation in Christ, and then he explained how God got rid of sin.
2. Love this creative verse, for Paul used flesh and sin three times each to glorify Christ.
3. The Law of Moses could not help anyone, for our weak flesh could not keep its rules.
4. Rather than provide a means of salvation, it showed the terrible sinfulness of all men.
5. God sent His Son like us, with a flesh body, tempted just like us, though without sin.
6. The doctrine of incarnation says – God was manifest in the flesh; Word was made flesh.
7. He loved righteousness and hated sin; He died a flesh death to pay for our flesh’s sins.
8. He was born under the Law, kept the Law His whole life, died a cursed death on a tree.
9. Note that His perfect life and substitutionary death condemned sin, not us, but sin itself.
10. Why is there therefore now no condemnation to them in Him? He condemned their sins!

Glory of Christ #4 … 8:9 … But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

1. This is a rare place where the Holy Spirit of God is called the Spirit of Christ (Gal 4:6).
2. If born again, the Spirit of God dwells in us, giving ability to please God (Rom 8:6-8).
3. Grasp this profound and glorious aspect of salvation – Jesus Christ in us by the Spirit.
4. While we still have a flesh (sinful) nature, we also have by regeneration a spiritual man.
5. We conclude Paul elliptically meant they were not the flesh only, but in the Spirit also.
6. If we do not have the Holy Spirit in us, we are not Christ’s, and if so, still condemned.
7. We must prove the Spirit in us by minding (5-6) and walking (1,4) after spiritual things.

Glory of Christ #5 … 8:11 … But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

1. Here is the doctrine of the resurrection of the body. The chapter has much gospel truth.
2. The Spirit of God raised Jesus from the dead, and if we are born again, He is inside us.
3. If the same life-giving divine Spirit that resurrected Jesus is in us, He will also raise us.
4. The Holy Spirit gave them power to live resurrected lives, and He would resurrect them.
5. The glorification of the children of God after being freed from condemnation is a theme.

Glory of Christ #6 … 8:15 … For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

1. The Spirit of Christ in us, an aspect of His glory, is the Spirit of adoption. Hallelujah!
2. Romans stresses justification, but here for the first time we learn that God adopted us.
3. Adoption is better than justification – adopting rebel enemies – not just removing guilt.
4. The spirit/Spirit of bondage is due to the fearful and condemning Law of Moses, but we are not condemned and now, far beyond not condemned, are adopted as the sons of God.
5. The Spirit of Christ, so far from bondage and fear, moves us to embrace God our Father.
6. The difference in spirits between the two covenants and testaments is precious indeed.
7. Christ’s Spirit in us, a glorious aspect of Him as Savior, convinces our spirit of adoption.

Glory of Christ #7 … 8:17 … And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

1. Now let us take the glory of Christ a little higher – we are joint heirs with Him of God.
2. Paul’s reasoning is great – if children, then heirs – adoption must include an inheritance.
3. So great is salvation of Christ, that we are brothers with Jesus Himself in the inheritance.
4. Our salvation is much more than avoiding hell, for it reaches far above and beyond it.
5. Now pay attention, our inheritance includes great glory, if we will suffer with Christ.
6. Inheritance is the easiest way to get anything – a free gift totally by the will of another.
7. A weakness of the analogy is our Father cannot die, so we get Him and His inheritance.
8. God’s predestination included our sonship and the inheritance we will get (Rom 8:29).

Glory of Christ #8 … 8:19 … For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

1. The whole creation waits for an event – when our Brother will reveal us to the universe.
2. This is the glory of Christ, for we are joint-heirs with Him of the new earth and heaven.
3. The universe was created to display the glory of God in adopting sinful men by Christ.
4. The world does not recognize the sons of God yet, but they will when our Lord appears.
5. Forget a 7-year tribulation or a Jewish millennium, which are jokes compared to this.
6. The universe is about you … in a way … for it waits for you to be honored by its Lord.
7. Jesus is not ashamed to own us as His brothers when God manifests us to the universe.

Glory of Christ #9 … 8:23 … And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

1. This is the glory of Christ, for it is back to adoption that we know by the Spirit of Christ.
2. The whole universe will be freed from the effect of sin and renovated into perfection.
3. The creation – inanimate matter and irrational creatures – will be free from corruption.
4. Jesus the Son of God created it the first time, and He will recreate it the second time.
5. While thinking on incredible glory of a new heaven and earth, remember resurrection.
6. We will get our bodies back by the Son of God who died for them along with our spirits.
7. Follow the benefits – from no condemnation to final glorification – all by Jesus Christ.
8. We believe in phases of salvation for truth – adoption past (8:14-17) and future (8:23).
9. So certain is adoption – resurrection and glorification of bodies – it is past tense (8:30).
10. Our bodies must be changed for heaven, and Jesus will do the complete job on them.

Glory of Christ #10 … 8:29 … For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

1. The previous verse has God’s purpose for some and the next one has their glorification.
2. Foreknowledge does not lead to God’s purpose, but God’s purpose to foreknowledge.
3. Foreknowledge here is love before; God foreknew His elect (whom) in love in eternity.
4. Jesus will declare to many He never knew them, but these elect souls He has foreknown.
5. These persons of His loving purpose are predestinated – destiny determined beforehand.
6. What is their destiny? To be conformed – made like to – Jesus the Son of God Himself.
7. If you think this too much for the word image, Jesus Christ is the image of God Himself.
8. As the sons of God, we should bear our Father’s image, and we will like His Son does.
9. Why does God want this? His drama is to save a family of enemies comparable to Jesus.
10. Connect this to our study of Mt. Sion of Hebrews 12:18-28 the general assembly above.
11. Connect this to Paul’s prayer about a family in heaven and earth named after Jehovah.
12. This is the goal of glorification – beyond health and eternal life – be a son like His Son.
13. Among the sons of God will stand one that gets eternal adoration – Jesus the firstborn!
14. Because of who He is and what He did, He deserves the position; we will praise Him.
15. Key questions: Are you conformed to this world or to Christ? How do you help others?

Glory of Christ #11 … 8:32 … He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

1. God the Father loves His Son; not sparing Him for us is proof He will do all else for us.
2. The certainty of God being for us and all being for our good is proved by this question.
3. The argument rests on the value of Jesus Christ – who is the only begotten Son of God.
4. The great proof of God’s love for us is sending His Son to a gory death as our Substitute.
5. The great proof of eternal security is God’s integrity and logic to do all else for the elect.
6. He did not spare Him – it was not a sight-seeing mission to earth, but a violent death.
7. Abraham spared not his own son for God, but God spared not His own Son for enemies.
8. Heathen Gods demand you not spare your sons, but our God spared not His own Son.
9. Fathers spare their sons wherever they can by whatever means, but God spared not His!
10. God delivering up His Son to death argues from the greater to lesser for all else needed.
11. There is nothing else in heaven worth more than His Son, so all heaven shall be yours.
12. Note the gifts here – God gave His Son; His Son gave His life; They freely give all else.
13. This is no offer, but rather an eternal and intentional gift from those with nothing to pay.
14. How can I know Jesus was not spared for me? Walk (8:1,4), mind (8:5-6), love (8:28)!
15. We must ask ourselves, “How shall we not in return give Him all things?”
16. This verse is one of many that refutes Jesus died for all, for the “all” here are the elect, and we know that the majority of mankind will not get the free gift of spiritual blessings.

Glory of Christ #12 … 8:34 … Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

1. No matter who might condemn you – Caesar, pope, devil, enemy, or you – they cannot.
2. Note four reasons here that you cannot be condemned by anyone. Jesus did four things.
3. Each answer is sufficient (in ways) to save you, but they combine for greatest assurance.
4. Jesus died for you – paying the legal price of your sins to satisfy the Judge (His Father).
5. Jesus rose for you – proving He had defeated sin, death, grave, and hell for the keys.
6. Jesus ascended for you – receiving glory and honor from His Father to sit beside Him.
7. Jesus intercedes for you – reminding the Father like a priest of what He did to save you.
8. Two are past – complete actions that cannot be undone – two are present for you today.
9. You are forever safe by the plan of God, work of Jesus, and God acceptance of all four.

Glory of Christ #13 … 8:35 … Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? … Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

1. Though salvation is sure, bad events can cause Christians to wonder about Jesus’ love.
2. Though “who” is used here, there are seven troubles listed that people usually cause.
3. For Christians in other times facing persecution and martyrdom, the promise is precious.
4. Tribulation? Paul and saints endured tribulation for the reward of peace beyond words.
5. Distress? Things pressing our minds are limited to our little thoughts, not finished work.
6. Persecution? Jesus suffered it and reigns forever, and it is token proof of our salvation.
7. Famine? Though God’s providence or enemies starve us, He has a Supper of suppers.
8. Nakedness? Saints have been destitute or stripped of clothes, but His white robe awaits.
9. Peril? Life-threatening words and actions of enemies, but Jesus found John on Patmos.
10. Sword? A martyrs death for Stephen resulted in seeing Jesus and handing off his spirit.
11. Where are the martyrs in heaven? They are under the altar of God with His holy ear!
12. If you could not tell, verse 36 is the answer, we are more than conquerors in these things!
13. God can work them for our good (28), and He can perfect us by them in total triumph.