It’s All About Certainty
Romans 8:1-39
On many college campuses, harmful ideologies have crept into the classroom and produced detrimental impacts on our culture. Moral relativism (right and wrong determined relative to individual circumstances, not a universal moral standard) and religious pluralism (world composed of many religions that are equally valid and true) have gradually influenced many in our culture to reject certainties, and, thereby, to become morally and spiritually bankrupt.
During a time when many discredit absolute truth, we need to rediscover the certainties that Paul knew through his faith in Christ. Without question, some things will never be known this side of heaven. But as Paul shares in Romans 8, incredible truths can be known and experienced by everyone who relates to God through Christ.
We have the Spirit’s presence: In chapter 8, Paul refers to the Spirit of God more than 20 times – more references than any other single chapter in the New Testament. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, is the Spirit of Christ who indwells the lives of those who have trusted in Christ for salvation and welcomed him into their lives.
The Holy Spirit gives believers the power of life and freedom. In his commentary on Romans, F.F. Bruce explains it this way: “Christ dwells within us by His Spirit, and His Spirit infuses into us a new principle – the law of life – which is stronger than the strength of indwelling sin and sets us free from its tyranny.” Instead of being preoccupied with our sinful nature, we can be controlled by the Spirit of Christ living in and through us.
We have the Spirit’s guidance: Is sin ever present? Yes. Will followers of Christ battle with the sinful nature? Without a doubt. But do we also have the power through the Spirit of Christ to overcome temptation and the detrimental impact of sin in our lives? Absolutely. With his Spirit alive in us, we are able to reject the lure of sin and to be filled with the transforming power of God in our thoughts, words and actions.
We have the Spirit’s prayers: Paul understood that in a fallen world even those who are children and heirs of a life-giving God will encounter suffering for their faith. But he also understood that just as we join with Christ in suffering, we will join with Christ in resurrection. Until then, though, we have the promise of the Spirit’s intercessions, praying for us even during our most difficult times.
We have assurance: What great comfort the certainty of the truths found in Romans 8:28, 31 and 38-39 bring to all who are in Christ. God is at work in this world, and his Spirit is alive in his children. We are “more than conquerors through him who loved us” (v. 37). Now that is truth about which we can be certain.
Owens– Lessons in the ETB series for the fall quarter are being written by Ken Owens, director of the collegiate ministry group for the South Carolina Baptist Convention.