Absolute Security: Romans 8

Absolute Security

Who doesn’t want to feel secure? When you feel secure, you feel safe, accepted, and loved. Instead of feeling anxious about a recent diagnosis or upcoming test, you know inner peace. You have hope and confidence that, whatever is going on in your life, ultimately, things will work out for the good. Adding the descriptive term “absolute” means that we are unquestionably, undeniably, completely, utterly, entirely, definitely…secure!

Imagine not having such security! No sense of safety, acceptance, love, or peace. No hope or confidence concerning the future. Unfortunately, it’s the way many people live. Every institution and relationship to which they’ve turned has only failed them. Life is marked by despair.

Instead, God wants us to bask in the enjoyment of our security and new identity in Christ—to know love, safety, acceptance, confidence, and a solid, well-grounded hope concerning the future because of our relationship to Him.

Romans 8 is the chapter to which we turn for encouragement and solid hope. In the 12 weeks we will be living in this chapter, despite what may be going on in our lives, my prayer is that we will develop a robust faith in the promises of God that will lead to our experiencing overwhelming confidence and security for the present and the future. Our church is in the grip of Christ, and so are we!

Romans 8 has everything. It begins with “no condemnation” and ends with “no separation.” Between those incredible bookends, the chapter includes teaching on our justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (8:1–4), continues with a description of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives (8:5–13), and then speaks about our being adopted as children of God (8:14–17). It addresses the significance of suffering (8:17–18), the prospect of glory (8:17–18), the final redemption of our bodies (8:17–25), and, in fact, the restoration of all creation (8:19–21). It reassures us that as we wait for our resurrection and final transformation (8:23–24), the Spirit helps us in our weakness (8:26) and even prays for us (8:26–27).

There’s more. Romans 8 also teaches us about the good and sovereign providence of God in our lives (8:28), and that His goal is to transform us into the likeness of Christ (8:29). Indeed, Paul says, nothing can stop God from bringing that to pass (8:30). No one can successfully oppose us, bring any charge against us, condemn us, or finally separate us from God’s love for us in Christ (8:31–39).

Believers in Christ who are grounded in the themes of this chapter will enjoy greater security. We will then be motivated, out of gratitude, to live lives of worship and service. We will desire to share this amazing message with friends, fellowship with other believers, and grow even deeper in our faith, which will lead to even greater security, worship and service…and so on…as the cycle continues!

Absolute Security: Romans 8

Jonah : Our Mission in God's World

The book of Jonah speaks powerfully to us about the largeness of the heart of God, so that our own hearts might be enlarged to care more deeply about people and make Him and His salvation known to others. No one can read about Jonah without being gripped by the fact that lost people matter to God. The story challenges us to respond in greater measure to the depth of human need that surrounds us.

If we could enlarge the graphic for the series (designed by Pastor Devin), we would see it’s a map of our area. It represents a primary area that God calls us to serve.

The book of Jonah opens with God’s call to the prophet: “Go to the great city…” (1:2). The book ends with the Lord asking Jonah, “Should I not be concerned about that great city?” (4:11).

In a similar way, the Lord is calling us to care more deeply for our immediate city. Let’s be praying for an enlarged heart for our neighbors, coworkers, and student friends and that God would use us to serve them in the name of Christ!