Effie Darlene Barba

Romans Chapters 1 through 11, Paul dealt largely with theology.  He laid out the truth regarding sin, human depravity, humanity’s inability to save themselves, God’s miraculous plan of salvation and sanctification.  Then, ending that with a shout of exuberant praise and joy; he turned to discuss the practicality of what that means in our lives.  Having shown us the how to, he turns to the what for in our lives.  It is no wonder that in Romans 12, he addresses the truth that we MUST love with no hypocrisy! But what does that mean?  We speak a lot about love in our society. However, do any of us understand love at all?  Or are we more like Joni Mitchell’s song Both Sides Now.

Moons and Junes and ferries wheels
The dizzy dancing way that you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I’ve looked at love that way

But now it’s just another show
And you leave ’em laughing when you go
And if you care, don’t let them know
Don’t give yourself away

I’ve looked at love from both sides now
From give and take and still somehow
It’s love’s illusions that I recall
I really don’t know love
Really don’t know love at all[1]

I guess we could try to say, “Paul is referring to a different kind of love than Ms Mitchell.”  But is he?

C.S. Lewis’s wrote of 4 types of love: Storge (Affection), Philleo (Friendship), Eros-(Romantic), and Agape (Divine Love).  Yet, would it not be true that all types of love must be subjected to the highest love to be real?  Was Jesus addressing this when questioning Peter about his love?  He asked Peter twice ‘do you “agapeis” me?’ And Peter answered, ‘I “Philo” you’.  Then, Jesus asked, “Do you ‘Phileas’ me?”

Peter and Jesus

Continue reading “What is True Love with No Hypocrisy?”

As Paul continues in Romans 11, we find he continues with his discussion regarding the nation of Israel.  And the mystery of the gospel message to the Gentile nation. There are those who question whether perhaps God abandoned His promises to the children of Abraham. However, the Apostle Paul presents the argument that due to their disobedience, God has allowed them to slumber. Imprisoned by their own sin their eyes were blinded to the truth. Meanwhile, God sends forth His gospel message to the Gentile nation. Thereby, the church age began.  The church is to worship God with such fervency as to draw back in a remnant of the Jewish nation.  That is to continue until the day God calls the nation of Israel forth to fulfill His promises for them.

Jesus Christ will yet return and reign over all the earth during His millennial reign as prophesied with Jerusalem at the center.  We also know that there will be 144,000 Jews who during the tribulation proclaiming the gospel message.  Therefore, Paul asks and answers this question in Romans 11:1. “Hath God cast away His people?  God forbid!”

Then Paul proceeds with a warning to any of the Gentiles not to move forward with pride that God has chosen them to establish His church. Rather, this had always been His plan. He desired to present salvation to all who would believe, the Jews and the Gentiles.  Don’t fall into their same pride filled rebellious ways of thinking.

Was God surprised by what the Nation of Israel did? Never!  Did He take their failure and turn it into something beautiful for you and me? Yes! Therein, lies the mystery which compels us to worship God—overflowing with praise for His wisdom, grace, and love.

Warning: Behold the Goodness and the Severity of God.

Continue reading “What Is the Mystery Compelling Us to Worship God?”

Paul begins Romans 10 with a deep grief for his lost Jewish Brethren, much like Jesus when He wept over Jerusalem.  Even though, all that Paul has spoken of and understood regarding the absolute Sovereignty of God to choose those who would be saved, he also fully understood the truth of humanities’ own culpability.  We may question as to how God could have chosen Jacob with all his failures and trickery over Esau his brother before they were ever born.  Yet, the truth be told.  Even those chosen did not deserve any of the grace they were given.  Always turning their backs on the one who lavished such grace, while falsely believing they somehow had won his favor through their actions.

Yet, this is one of those moments I truly believe we must through faith accept both the full Sovereign Authority of God in the act of salvation and at the same time recognize the guilt of every human being in choosing to deny God through their own will.  Throughout Romans we are shown that both are true; much as J. L. Packer explains in “Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God”.  Both the absolute Sovereignty of God in the act of salvation and the responsibility of every human, remains an antimony.  Not the only one we find in scripture; but certainly, one that has brought great discord and argument among the various groups of Christians.

However, I do find the book of Romans as being clear, that both are true God has complete Sovereignty to show mercy upon whom He will, and we have no argument that can be presented in our favor.  Our total depravity is ours, no one else to blame. Furthermore, our guilt and God’s Sovereignty are both equally true at the same time.

Didn’t they hear?

Continue reading “Does the Absolute Sovereignty of God Absolve Sinful Man?”

As I read the first few verses of Romans 9, I felt a heavy conviction within my own heart.  One that has reached deep, ripping at my soul, and awakening me from my sleep.  A restlessness deep within grows as I realize just how short I fall from having the real heart of an evangelist.  I have been pleading for God to give me a heart of love for the lost.  A heart of an evangelist that truly mourns for the lost like Paul, the apostle.  Really, I wish my heart were like my Savior’s heart; but I know that still seems such a distant hope.  So, even if my earthly heart can never fully love like Jesus; maybe it could love like a true Evangelistic heart should.

I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost… I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh (Romans 9:1-3). 

Do I truly have heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart for those who are lost?  Certainly, I have some or I would not do that which I do here.  For it is time and labor intensive; yet I am compelled to write even if only one soul is reached or touched.  But is mine truly the heart of an evangelist?  Perhaps, I would and have pleaded with great weeping to God for one or another of my children.  I would rip my heart out or plead to take their punishment for sin for them; but would I for anyone else. Or would I really be willing that God cast me aside eternally for them or anyone else?

The Heart of the Evangelist

Paul’s heart so yearned for his brethren he longed for their salvation with such fervor, he at times would have been willing to exchange his salvation for theirs.  Although that is impossible, for anyone who has truly come to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord cannot be separated from God.  Nor could one imagine a life without Him, once having tasted of the sweet fellowship one has with Christ.  Yet, Paul truly had the heart of the Evangelist for even that thought to have entered his heart.

As for me, though I love my children with that fierceness of love; what about others?  Perhaps there were moments in my life when one or another might be the focus of my love.  It was such when I was in the jail ministry.  Yet, more recently, I realize how far short I fall when it comes to loving all sinners as I should.  What if there is someone extremely near and you feel they may be drawing one of your children away from Christ?  Can you genuinely love them enough to say your heart mourns for them?  Or someone who has hurt your family, can you sorrow so for their salvation?

Paul here spoke of those who wanted him dead or jailed with such compassion.  I wish and long for the day my heart will love like Jesus does.  Or at least I wish I could comprehend how to hate sin while loving the sinner with the heart of the evangelist.  But until that day, I come before my Savior and Lord every day to pray.  I know that as I said in the last message, the Holy Spirit will not stop until I am complete.  So, I wait with patience or sometimes impatience for the transformation to be complete.

Concluding Thoughts

For right now, I continue to pray, study God’s word, and spend time alone with Him.   I lay my own burdens and sins at the foot of the cross, awaiting eagerly for the redemption of this body, while lifting my head in songs of praise to the one who saved me.  For I know the fruit of the Spirit is love, so I also know as I lean into Jesus and allow the Spirit to reign in my heart, He will teach me love and show His love through me.  He will clear away the smudges, so my heart might be like mirror to shine forth  His love through me to all those whom I meet today.  That is my earnest prayer.    What about you?

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link.  There is nothing more important than this; because   He is the way, the truth and the life.   Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Or  if you would like to share  your story or thoughts, you can  comment here

Previously

9 Provisions of the Holy Spirit for Every Believer

Books Available

If you want to know more about books I have written,then, click on this link to my Book Resources.

Another option is going to Amazon.com. Because, there you can find my books by searching for Effie Darlene Barba.  Or click this link to be taken there

Furthermore,  for inspirational photos or home decor click here.

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2019
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

credits:

Photo by Joel Muniz on Unsplash

Romans 8 begins with No Condemnation and ends with No separation from God- EVER! Which is absolutely, utterly amazing!  But how?  Ah, that is the work of the Holy Spirit within us.  He is mentioned 18 times in these 36 verses and that is key for us to understand all that he does for us and in us.  When we recognize the power that is within us to overcome sin is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, well why wouldn’t we shout for joy, “I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me.”  How does He strengthen us!  He does so by the work of the Holy Spirit within us and His fervent intercessory prayer for us (Hebrews 7:25).

 

1. Sets us Free from Death’s Penalty

“For the law of the life-giving Spirit^[b] in Christ Jesus has set you^[c] free from the law of sin and death” Romans 8:2 (NET).   He can do this because of the finished work of Christ on the cross.  He, who knew no sin, bore the penalty of our sin—erasing our debt.  “³ For God achieved what the law could not do because^[d] it was weakened through the flesh. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ so that the righteous requirement of the law may be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.(Romans 8:3-4 NET).

I know you might be thinking, “but what about those times that my flesh takes charge and I don’t seem to be walking according to the Spirit?”  Ah, but you see, that will become clearer as we keep moving forward.  Remember as I pointed out, Romans 8 begins with No Condemnation and ends with NO Separation, ever!  The Holy Spirit’s work not only is to bring us to a saving knowledge of Christ, but to keep us ever step of the way through our transforming sanctification.

  For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 NET

2. Provides you with a New Outlook and Focus.

⁵ For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by^[e] the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For the outlook^[f] of the flesh is death, but the outlook of the Spirit is life and peace, ⁷ because the outlook of the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to the law of God, nor is it able to do so. ⁸ Those, who are in the flesh, cannot please God.  (Romans 8:5-8 NET).

Without the work of the Holy Spirit drawing you, awakening your desire for God—you could never possibly decide to follow Christ.  “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws (drags) him” (John 6:44).  The word translated draws here actually is the same word translated elsewhere, as drags him.  He drags us to the altar and sometimes He drags us through this life until we come to realize He is life, hope, peace, joy, love and our greatest treasure.

3. Raises us up to Newness of Life

⁹ You, however, are not in^[g] the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person does not belong to him. ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, but^[h] the Spirit is your life^[i] because of righteousness. ¹¹ Moreover if the Spirit of the one^[j] who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ^[k] from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through his Spirit who lives in you.^[l]  (Romans 8:9-11 NET)

Very clearly it states—if you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit indwells you.  If He does not, you never accepted Christ as your Savior.  Therefore, if the Holy Spirit indwells you, He utilizes the same power that raised Christ from the dead to raise your mortal bodies from death to life.  Only alive can you defeat sin.  The Holy Spirit has the power to defeat the sin in your mortal flesh.  I must cling tight to that truth if I hope to ever win over the sins of this flesh. It is not I, but the Holy Spirit that has the power and I must let Him.

4. He seals the adoption papers for eternity.

“¹⁴ For all who are led by the Spirit of God are^[q] the sons of God. ¹⁵ For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear,^[r] but you received the Spirit of adoption,^[s] by whom^[t] we cry, “Abba,^[u] Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself bears witness to^[v] our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ)^[w]—if indeed we suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him.(Romans 8: 14-17).

I am sealed forever as His child.  The Holy Spirit reminds me of that.  Will that mean there are at times suffering?  Yes!  It is so much easier to give in to our temptations, our anger, our selfish desires, and going along with the crowd.  It is easier to give in to sin than to live in loneliness or to deal with rejection, to forgive when someone hurts you, or for some to remain sober.  But the Holy Spirit gives us the power to march forward, even into the fiery furnace if need be to do the next right thing.

5. The Holy Spirit instills hope

²² For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers together until now. ²³ Not only this, but we ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,^[z] groan inwardly as we eagerly await our adoption,^[aa] the redemption of our bodies.^[ab] 24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with endurance.^[ac] (Romans 8:22-25)

It is the Holy Spirit that reminds us, this is not our final home.  We will one day cease to battle with this sinful flesh.  One day we will have the perfect heart like that of Jesus.  Just hold on, He will complete the work He began and say.  “Well done good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your master.” (Matt 25:21)

6. The Holy Spirit Prays for Us

The Holy Spirit intercedes for us with the right prayer according to the Father’s perfect will.  “²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray,^[ad] but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. ²⁷ And he^[ae] who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit^[af] intercedes on behalf of the saints according to God’s will.  (Romans 8:26-27).  You remember those times you prayed incessantly, and it seemed God did not hear you?  Then years later you could have sung the song, “Thank God for unanswered prayers”.  Well, my guess is that the Holy Spirit had to do a lot of interceding prayers for me throughout the years.

7. The Holy Spirit instills faith while transforming us.

 ²⁸ And we know that all things work together^[ag] for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, ²⁹ because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son^[ah] would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.^[ai] 30 And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.  (Romans 8:28-30).

Everything that happens in the life of the believer is used by God to transform us into the likeness of Jesus Christ.  Often, I could look back over my life and wonder, “What if?”  What if I had made the right choice?  Or what if, I had been a better Christian or spoken wiser?  Yet, you see, God knew before He saved me everything bumbling stupid thing I would do.  And He saved me anyway.

But He never wasted a single failure of mine either.  Because ultimately, He used them each to teach me how to love Him more.  I paid at times a terrible price for my sin; but in the end God, with the work of the Holy Spirit, transformed me and continues to do so.  He teaches me every day how to lean into Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to do His work in me.

8. The Holy Spirit Is Our Protector in this World

³¹ What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² Indeed, he who^[aj] did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, freely give us all things? ³³ Who will bring any charge against God’s elect?^[ak] It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who is the one who will condemn? Christ^[al] is the one who died (and more than that, he was raised), who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us.  (Romans 8:31-34). 

You need not worry what others may say or do against you when you are cradled in the arms of God.  Jesus Christ is always at the right hand of the Father interceding for His own.  Read John 17 and realize all that He prays on your behalf.

9. The Holy Spirit Hold Us Secure

³⁵ Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will trouble, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?^[am] 36 As it is written, “For your sake we encounter death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”^[an] 37 No, in all these things we have complete victory^[ao] through him^[ap] who loved us! ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers,^[aq] nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Romans 8:35-39)

In the recesses of my Bible, I wrote many years ago.  “not even I.’   Is not that the most precious of thoughts!  Through all the years, He has guided me and transformed me.  Yes, there were times He had to rip things out of my hands when I clung too tightly to them, so He could show me—He is my greatest treasure.  I have been through great trials and great sorrows; but I know that He has taken all the broken pieces and is creating a tapestry of my life to look like Jesus one day.  It is for that reason I can sing from the hymn, IN Christ Alone. “No guilt in life, no fear in death, that is the power of Christ in me.”

I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth. Psalm 57:2-3

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link.  There is nothing more important than this; because   He is the way, the truth and the life.   Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Or  if you would like to share  your story or thoughts, you can  comment here

Previously

What about this dilemma between life and death?

How does the Holy Spirit Empower the Christian’s Life?

Books Available

If you want to know more about books I have written,then, click on this link to my Book Resources.

Another option is going to Amazon.com. Because, there you can find my books by searching for Effie Darlene Barba.  Or click this link to be taken there

Furthermore,  for inspirational photos or home decor click here.

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2019
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

credits:

New English Translation (NET)

NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Photo by Joshua Eckstein on Unsplash