Nothing could ever fully describe the love of God, but if you feel it’s absent in your life, Romans 8 helps to unveil it. As we explore the chapter, you’ll get a greater glimpse of the extent of Christ’s love for you.Guidelines
Day 1
Scripture: Romans 8:1-13
Freedom from Our Flesh
Reflect / Discuss
- Do you ever struggle to do the right thing?
- What do you think it means to live according to the Spirit?
Consider
Do you ever feel like you can’t help but do the wrong thing, like you are powerless to change? In reality, we are powerless to change. When Paul talks about living according to the flesh, he is talking about the human condition. We were all born into a life of sin, in a fallen world. No matter how hard we try, we cannot change this. The good news is that Jesus died to do what we are powerless to do! Through His death and resurrection, we are able to live by the power of the Spirit and not our own human weakness.
Life by the Spirit means that we are honest about our struggles. Paul said in another one of his letters that God’s strength is made perfect in our weaknesses (II Corinthians 12). When we have fellowship with the Holy Spirit, we allow Him to search our hearts and reveal the areas that are lacking. When we confess these weaknesses and struggles, the Bible promises that our God is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us of all unrighteousness (I John 1). It might seem scary to be honest with a perfect God about our sins and struggles, but the very first verse of chapter 8 assures us that there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ!” Jesus died for us and took on our sin so that we could freely accept His righteousness. He also died so that imperfect people could live lives that are holy and pleasing to God by the power of His Holy Spirit living in us!
Act
- What area of your life have you been struggling to change or improve? Surrender that issue to God in prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to work in you to make His desires your own.
Day 2
Scripture: Romans 8:14-17
No Longer Slaves
Reflect / Discuss
- How would you describe your relationship with God?
- What does being called “God’s children” mean to you?
Consider
Before God intervened, we were His enemies. Mankind had no choice but to be slaves to sin. We lived only to please ourselves and to fulfill our own desires. When God redeemed us by the death of His son He could have chosen to make us His own slaves. But that is not the relationship that the Bible describes. We are not imprisoned by Him, or even just set free. We are invited to be co-heirs with Christ.
Paul says in this chapter of Romans that the follower of Jesus is adopted by God. During the time Paul wrote this letter to the church in Rome, parents were able to legally disown their children for a number of reasons. However, if a child was adopted, they legally could not be disowned and they immediately had access to all the rights, possessions, and wealth of their new family. In the same way, because God chose us, we have access to His, “glorious riches in Christ Jesus!” (Philippians 4:19) Now God is not just the ruler of our lives and hearts, but our loving and faithful Father.
Act
- When you turn to God in prayer, remember that you are His child. Pray honestly and confidently as a child of God.
Day 3
Scripture: Romans 8:18-25
Suffering and Hope
Reflect / Discuss
- Have you ever experienced good that came about because of suffering in your life?
- How can suffering help us to become more like Christ?
Consider
Sometimes when we go through suffering, we think that we are off track or that we did the wrong thing. The consequences of our own actions or the actions of others can sometimes cause suffering. However, for the believer, suffering is a reminder that better things are coming. In these verses, Paul compares suffering to the pains of a mother giving birth. In childbirth, labor pain is not the end, but rather the beginning. It is a sign of something great that is coming. In the same way, our suffering and trials draw us closer to God, refining us and preparing us for eternity. The pains of labor also serve as a physical reminder to prepare for what’s ahead. Difficulties, suffering, and persecution can help us to remember our need for Christ. They can also give us an urgency to share the truth of the gospel with others around us.
Our “present sufferings” also allow us to experience hope. Hope is perfected during times of uncertainty or suffering. We are able to look at our circumstances and know that they do not have the final word. We have hope because of what Jesus did for us on the cross and because of what is promised to us in the Word of God. Hebrews 2:12 teaches us that Jesus was able to endure the suffering of the cross because He looked forward to joy that awaited him. In the same way, we can endure any trials on this earth by looking forward to the reality of spending eternity with our loving Savior!
Act
- Write down or memorize Romans 8:18. Carry it with you to encourage you in times of suffering.
Day 4
Scripture: Romans 8:26-28
When We Don’t Know What to Pray
Reflect / Discuss
- Are there situations or events in our world that you don’t know how to pray for?
- Have you ever started to pray for someone but could not find the words?
Consider
Have you ever started to pray, but you were not sure what to say? Or perhaps you’ve been praying for a friend or situation that seems hopeless and you don’t even know what to ask for. Paul reminds us in these verses that the Holy Spirit Himself helps us when we pray. Verse 26 says that the Spirit intercedes for us. The word intercede means to intervene on someone’s behalf. The Holy Spirit, who knows God’s perfect will and knows the answer to every question – even the ones we don’t know to ask – intervenes on our behalf. He knows the desires of our hearts and helps align those desires with the will and plans of God as we pray.
We can also pray with confidence because we know that God is working on our behalf. In verse 28, Paul reminds us that God works in all things for our good. God has a purpose for each of us that ultimately ends in redemption and the hope of eternity with God. No matter what we are facing, we can be confident that God is working to produce these things in our lives. It is not a shallow promise that guarantees only happiness and good things, but rather a powerful truth in all circumstances. No matter what we face, God’s plans for us are plans of hope.
Act
- Read about how Jesus taught His disciples to pray in Matthew 6:9-13. Begin to pray these things over each area of your life.
- Consider starting a prayer journal for daily prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in praying for God’s will in each area of your life.
Day 5
Scripture: Romans 8:31-39
Nothing Can Separate Us
Reflect / Discuss
- Do you ever feel like things in your past keep you from experiencing God’s love?
- How would you describe the love of God?
Consider
Perhaps the most important part of Romans 9 are the final verses that teach us a powerful truth. When our life circumstances are not ideal, we may be tempted to think that God loves us less. This lie can cripple us into living discouraged and hopeless lives or to strive to earn something that we are not capable of earning. God’s love is not like human love.
Our view of God’s love is often tainted by relationships we have here on earth—with our spouses, children, family, or friends. These relationships always involve some level of disappointment. The love we feel and choose in these relationships is always based on something—a relation, a shared experience, or an attraction. The love of God has no beginning or end. It is not based on a circumstance or experience because it is a part of the character of God. Love is who God is. He simply cannot and will not stop loving us. Nothing can separate us from his unfailing love.
Act
- Thank God for His unending love for you. Write out a prayer of thanksgiving for His love.
- Find a way to reflect God’s unfailing love to the people around you.