Read Romans 8

Highlights:

The Spirit of life in Christ has freed us from the old sin nature and death (Rom. 8:1-17). Nothing that Satan can do can separate us from the love of God (8:31-39). Gentiles also called the children of the Living God (9:23-26,30). Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved (10:9-10,13).

When we accept Christ as Savior and Lord of our lives, we receive the spiritual nature of God and sincerely commit ourselves to a new way of life that the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh. . . . Because the carnal (fleshly) mind is enmity (hostile) against God: for it is not subject to the Law of God (Rom. 8:4-5,7). Praise God we don't have to be ruled by our carnal nature: If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify (put to death) the deeds of the body (the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life v. I John 2:16), ye shall live (8:13).

True repentance results in a change of heart and lifestyle. This change should manifest itself in our becoming involved in sharing the Good News that JESUS . . . shall save His people from their sins (Matt. 1:21), supporting mission ministries, and involvement in a local church when physically able. Sadly, some people join a church, attend worship services, give generously, and assume that their good works are sufficient for entrance into heaven. Still more however, they may only be expressing a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof (II Tim. 3:5). God is concerned first with what we are, then with what we do for Him.

Set your affection (mind) on things above, not on things on the earth. . . . Mortify (Put to death) therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate (unnatural) affection, evil concupiscence (desire), and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy (slander and abusive statements against God), filthy (immoral) communication out of your mouth. Lie not to one another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him (Col. 3:2,5-10).

Thought for Today:

Love not sleep lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread (Prov. 20:13).

Word Studies:

9:15 compassion grace, mercy, gentleness, loving-kindness; 10:21 gainsaying self-willed, disobedient, faultfinding.

Cross References:

For Rom. 8:36: See Ps. 44:22. Rom 9:7: See Gen. 21:12. Rom. 9:9: See Gen. 18:10. Rom. 9:12: See Gen. 25:23. Rom. 9:13: See Mal. 1:2-3. Rom. 9:15: See Ex. 33:19. Rom. 9:17: See Ex. 9:16. Rom. 9:25: See Hos. 2:23. Rom. 9:26: See Hos. 1:10. Rom. 9:27-28: See Is. 10:22-23. Rom. 9:29: See Is. 1:9. Rom. 9:33: See Is. 28:16. Rom. 10:5: See Lev. 18:5. Rom. 10:6-7: See Deut. 30:12-13. Rom. 10:8: See Deut. 30:14. Rom. 10:11: See Is. 49:23. Rom. 10:13: See Joel 2:32. Rom. 10:15: See Is. 52:7. Rom. 10:16: See Is. 53:1. Rom. 10:18: See Ps. 19:4. Rom. 10:19: See Deut. 32:21. Rom. 10:20: See Is. 65:1. Rom. 10:21: See Is. 65:2.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for Government Officials: Gov. Phil Bredesen (TN), Rep. Yvette Clarke (NY), Sen. Richard Durbin (IL), Rep. Chaka Fattah (PA), and Rep. Tom Rooney (FL) • Country: Israel (6.1 million) in the Middle East • Major languages: Hebrew and Arabic • Witnessing to Jews about Christ the Messiah is actively discouraged • 80.2% Jewish (mostly secular); 14.6% Muslim (largely Sunni); 2.1% Christian; 1.6% Druze; 1.5% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Commit your fears to the Lord and He will give you peace (Prov. 3:24-26).

Memory Verse for the Week: 1 Peter 5:7