Bible 365 - Nov 26th (print-friendly version)

Romans VI-VIII
(Freedom!)
November 26th

Produced by The Listening for God Ministry
Copyright 2016

Please refer to one or more Bible versions of your choice to read this section. We recommend that you read at least two versions for added understanding. For your convenience, we have provided six links below, each of which takes you directly to today's chapters in a specific version:

Bible Gateway
Romans 6-8 (King James Version - KJV)
Romans 6-8 (New Revised Standard Version - NRSV)
Romans 6-8 (New International Version - NIV)
Romans 6-8 (The Message)

US Conference of Catholic Bishops
Romans 6 (New American Bible - NAB) (click the "next chapter" link on the site for chapters 7-8)

British Bible Society
Romans 6 (Good News Bible - GNB) (click "Next" for chapters 7-8)

Key Verse

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

- Romans 8:37-39 (NIV)

Summary of Chapters

In the previous chapters, Paul explains that we are sinners but can be forgiven in Christ. In this next set Paul describes how this forgiveness gives us freedom from sin.

In chapter 6, Paul describes how we can declare ourselves dead to sin. Instead of being slaves to our sinful desires we can free ourselves by becoming voluntary slaves of righteousness, a commitment that leads to eternal life. He also explains that we would not know what sin is without the law to define it. He quotes the 10 Commandments from Exodus 20:17 when he says, “For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.’ ” In chapter 7 Paul acknowledges that even after accepting Jesus there is an ongoing struggle with sin:

We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

- Romans 7:14-20 (NIV)

Only through Jesus can we be rescued from the thrashing of our souls.

In chapter 8 Paul explains that the “Spirit helps us in our weakness (Rom 8:26).” We may not even know how to pray but the Spirit will guide us. He concludes the chapter by emphasizing that if we believe in him, then nothing can separate us from God.

Reflection and Application

This section has no shortage of complications and apparent contradictions. Paul says we can be free by being a slave to righteousness. If we are slaves to that concept, then how can we be free?

Apparently, Paul struggles with this topic himself as he freely admits “For what I want to do I don’t do, but what I hate I do (7:15).”

Then he gives us the answer –we have an alliance with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. If we open ourselves up to time in prayer with our doubts and questions and struggles, then the Spirit will help us communicate that message to our Father in Heaven and will guide us as to how to work through our questions.

Still confused? I can’t blame you. If so, go straight to the end of chapter 8, where Paul emphasizes that if we believe, then nothing can separate us with God. We do not necessarily need to understand every technical issue of the theology. Paul says that believing is sufficient – and perhaps, is the most important step. We are entering a season where we encourage each other to believe – let us also encourage ourselves.

Questions and Prayers for Further Reflection