Romans 8:22-39
English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible
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 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 [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.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be 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. 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.
How much does God help us? Here it says, the Holy Spirit of God helps us.
What did the people who had seen Jesus say about the willingness of God:
Peter wrote saying Jesus does not help us under compulsion. He helps willingly.
1 Peter 5:2
Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly--not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.
Peter once knelt before Jesus and asked Him to leave after seeing Jesus act on God's glory. Peter saw Jesus Resurrected and jumped out the boat, knowing Peter had betrayed Jesus. Peter wasn't just physically fed breakfast, Peter was asked to be part of God's love and work. Jesus justified Peter and forgave his weaknesses.
John lived with Jesus. John says God lavishes His love on us:
1 John 3:1
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
John fully lived most of his adult life knowing he was adopted by Jesus. Changing his life for the great love, the glory, John wrote of 18 times in his Gospel written with the Holy Spirit.
Matthew wrote:
Matthew 5:44
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
Jesus saw past the Temple Priests being picked by Herod and knew the Tax Collectors were just as much under Roman authority. Matthew, a son of Alpheus was from the Capernaum area - an upwardly mobile Jew working for the despised Romans. Matthew was so thrilled to be chosen by Jesus, Matthew didn't throw Jesus a party, Matthew gave Jesus a feast. Matthew brought every tax collector and thug (sinner) he could. Matthew was in awe at the forgiveness of God.
Mark 12:31
The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
Paul, as were all the disciples of Jesus, was sent out two by two. Paul loved Barnabas and really did not like Barnabus' cousin John Mark. Mark would go on to take the Word of God all over the world, through the centuries. We read the Gospel John Mark wrote as he matured in the Lord. What help John Mark grow? Barnabas was willing to love John Mark as himself. Only the Holy Spirit living in the people who had loved Jesus helped this man grow in the Lord.
Who was Jude? The brother of Jesus. The one who taunted Jesus to run up to Jerusalem to proclaim Jesus' ministry and later went to claim Him to come home and recover from being out of His mind. Jude - had his mother, Mary, given to John. Not in unkindness, but Jesus knew:
1 Corinthians 9:5
Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas?
What was Jude's point of view on God's love?
Jude 1:2
Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.
And James, the brother of Jesus:
James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:27
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
And Luke, the evangelist who wrote with the Holy Spirit the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. He is believed by many theologians to have been one of the 70 Jesus sent ahead of him because he uses the word "we" so many times. A second century historian wrote of Luke, "Luke, a native of Anticoh, by profession a physician. He had become a disciple of the apostle Paul and later followed Paul until his [Paul's] martyrdom. Having served the Lord continuously, unmarried and without children, filled with the Holy Spirit he died at the age of 84 years."
Luke started out with an historical account of Jesus and bursts forth with prayer, joyfulness and more stories of the extreme compassion of Jesus. Historians love Luke for his attention to detail.
Luke 10:27
He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Luke, as a physician, knew where priorities were placed in the nitty gritty of life and death. It is the Gospel of Luke recording so many times Jesus' compassion was lavished upon women.
Luke 2:46-50
46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
Look what Jesus does for the weak and the needy in the Gospel of Luke, we hear about Elizabeth - the mother of John the Baptist, with the mute priest husband. We see Anna in the Temple meeting the infant Jesus. Shepherds have angels come to tell the least prosperous, rural people of the Good News. Jesus starts after calling His disciples with healing a leper and a paralytic, a man with a withered hand. Clearly Luke has a hero and it is Jesus.
My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
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