The Riches of Romans

Normally for this month I post about everything I look forward to for the new year. But let's go against the norm for once. One of my goals for this year is to memorize chapter 8 of Romans. Why? well Romans is one of my favorite books in the whole bible and Romans 8 is my most favorite chapter in the entire bible. And no need to wonder why, for I'm about to explain.

Romans 8 opens up with a verse that'll have you hooked right out of the gate. "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," People want to be told so many things that the world refuses to tell them. That they're beautiful, that they're smart, they're lovable, they're important, etc. And many many people fear judgment and condemnation. Romans 8:1 doesn't ask you how you're doing or ask where you've been, but instead announces that if you are in Christ, there is NO CONDEMNATION for you. Isn't that awesome? But wait. It get's better. Verse 2 states: "because through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit of life set me FREE from the law of sin and death." So not only are you not condemned, you're FREE from the law of sin and death. and this is just the first two verses my friends.

Now I want to skip down a bit because I want to hit one other point for this post. Verse 11 says: "And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you." How does one have the Spirit living inside of him? Well it's like this. If someone knocks on your door and you open it and let them in, they are now inside your house and because they are alive, they are technically living inside your house. But if you don't open the door, they can't come in. The same goes for the Spirit. The Spirit of Christ comes knocking at the door of your heart. And if you believe into Christ and open the door to your heart, Christ's Spirit can come in. And what about the part of "giving life to your mortal bodies"? Aren't we already alive and have life? Yes. But the key word here is mortal. Mortal means a living being subject to death. All humans will face death. That is a fact. But another wonderful thing about believing in Christ is that when it's your time to go, the end won't be life ceasing to exist or hell for that matter, but instead your spirit, through Christ's Spirit will allow for a continuation of life beyond death. Meaning death is not the end.

Closing thoughts: In these three verses alone, we find that through the simple act of believing into Christ and allowing His spirit inside of us, we are not condemned, we are free from sin and death, and we have the promise of life after death...eternity. A few of the many reasons why I love Romans 8. As the year progresses, I will get into it more. Until next time.