May 5, 2021

More Than a Conqueror

Romans 8

David Cho
Wednesday's Devo

May 5, 2021

Wednesday's Devo

May 5, 2021

Central Truth

By His grace, the promises of God embolden us to be more than conquerors.

Key Verse | Romans 8:37

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Romans 8

Life in the Spirit

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 1 8:1 Some manuscripts add who walk not according to the flesh (but according to the Spirit) For the law of the Spirit of life has set you 2 8:2 Some manuscripts me free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, 3 8:3 Or and as a sin offering he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus 4 8:11 Some manuscripts lack Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Heirs with Christ

12 So then, brothers, 5 8:12 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 29 we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons 6 8:14 See discussion on sons in the Preface of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Future Glory

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because 7 8:27 Or that the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, 8 8:28 Some manuscripts God works all things together for good, or God works in all things for the good for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

God's Everlasting Love

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be 9 8:31 Or who is against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 10 8:34 Or Is it Christ Jesus who died for us? 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Footnotes

[1] 8:1 Some manuscripts add who walk not according to the flesh (but according to the Spirit)
[2] 8:2 Some manuscripts me
[3] 8:3 Or and as a sin offering
[4] 8:11 Some manuscripts lack Jesus
[5] 8:12 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 29
[6] 8:14 See discussion on “sons” in the Preface
[7] 8:27 Or that
[8] 8:28 Some manuscripts God works all things together for good, or God works in all things for the good
[9] 8:31 Or who is
[10] 8:34 Or Is it Christ Jesus who died . . . for us?

Dive Deeper | Romans 8

For most of us, calling ourselves conquerors seems weird, let alone "more" than conquerors. Are you kidding me? You might even think that you don't deserve such a title. You are right. We do not deserve to be conquerors, but we are through Him who loved us. The key to this verse are "these things." Let's focus on them now.

  1. No condemnation. Jesus paid it all through the cross and has set us free to live in a relationship with the Father through the Spirit as His child, which involves glorifying Him through joyous suffering (Romans 8:1-17). You do not have to live up to God's standards because Jesus has done that for you. All that is required is faith (Romans 3:23-25) to receive the gift of grace that He offers; a one-time confession that genuinely invites God to be your Lord (Romans 10:9-10).
  2. No desperation. Paul claims that he can count all the sufferings of the present time and see the coming redemption and glory along with the constant aid, comfort, and witness of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:18-29). In 2 Corinthians 4:7-12, Paul describes this very well. We are fragile, jars of clay. "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair." (2 Corinthians 4:8) In the pain, there is purpose, not desperation (Romans 8:28).
  3. No separation. Nothing can separate us from the love of God through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39). God has promised us such an overwhelming promise. Nothing can separate us from His presence. The psalmist in Psalm 139 describes this very well. "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?" (Psalm 139:7) God does not give us grace and then leave us to fend for ourselves. God is with us. 

"[I]n all these things . . ." (Romans 8:37) lie the promises that embolden us to go into the world as conquerors through Him who loved us. But what does it mean to be more than a conqueror? Paul practices what he preaches. Read 1 Thessalonians 2:2.

Discussion Questions

1. How does the truth of "no condemnation" apply in your own life and relationship with God? Should this truth propel us from God when we mess up or urge us to call on Him when we do?

2. How does the truth of "no desperation" apply in your own life? Think back to tough times in your life and what Romans 8:18-29 would say about them.

3. How does the truth of "no separation" apply in your own life and relationship with God? Does this fact stir your affections for Him more and comfort you? Does this truth lead you to take His grace for granted? Review Romans 6:1-2.

4. Finally, what does being "more than a conqueror" mean in your life? Do you boldly live each day to glorify God and partake in His mission to save the world?