We are making progress in our study of Romans 8. Are next section begins at verse 12 and goes through 17 and it is titled in many Bibles as our being:
Heirs with Christ:
Romans 8:12-17 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if we live after the flesh, we shall die: but if we through the Spirit we mortify (Romans 12:1-3, with the other references to Jesus' own words dealing with our taking up of our cross daily) the deeds of the body, we shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of GOD, they are the sons of GOD. For we have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear (this fostered by man's religion in which billions are now snared and held captives and slaves, as shown in John's book of Revelation); But we have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of GOD: and if children, then heirs; heirs of GOD, and joint-heirs with Christ; If it be that we suffer (the religious persecutions) with Him, that we may be also glorified together.
Even King David learned of the Lord's Lovingkindness
How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house. (Psalm 36:7-8)
We have been meditating from Old Testament passages in the Psalms for a few months now, and upon God's lovingkindness (a term very much like the word grace in the New Testament). We have been considering verses from David's life and testimony. David treasured the lovingkindness of the Lord. "How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!" An understanding of the far-reaching implications and applications of the Lord's lovingkindness our steadfast love, gave him this perspective. David learned that the Lord's lovingkindness (His zealous, steadfast love for His people) drew hearts to seek GOD for His gracious protection. "Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings." David also knew that God's lovingkindness fully satisfies hungry hearts that seek the Lord's fullness. "They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house."
Man is so needy, and God has so much to give. The needs of man could hardly be overstated. The resources of God could only be understated. Words like emptiness and deficiency describe humanity, snared and trapped by man's religious systems and programs, based on the workings of the flesh. Words like fullness and abundance describe our God.
Man begins his human existence in spiritual bankruptcy (born in sin and ready to pursue ungodliness). "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me . . . The wicked are estranged from the womb; They go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies" (Psalm 51:5 and 58:3). For these desperate needs, the LORD has forgiveness by our being redeemed from them and more awaiting salvation, our departing. "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered . . . The LORD is . . . my salvation" (Psalm 32:1 and 18:2). Yet, once redeemed, man still must not look to himself, nor to the world from which he came.
"My soul thirsts for You . . . in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water" (Psalm 63:1). The Lord must be our new supply for the new man. Like David, we must find what we need from "the fullness of [God's] house." When we look to God's fullness to replace our inadequacy, we will find today the same spiritual satisfaction that David testified about long ago. "My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness (this hidden in Leviticus 17:11 and acknowledged in Hebrews 13:10 with 1John 5), and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips" (Psalm 63:5). We also will rejoice, because we will be "abundantly satisfied."
This one seemed to be very short as it's message is simple. But the LORD awakened me to more of Him early this morning. I shall look at verses 19-26 and then 27-29, and 30-9:4.
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