“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God…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 groaning too deep for words. 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. And we know that all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:18-19, 26-28
Do you want to know what’s wrong with your Christian life? Are you stuck on some side roads of sanctification, driving in circles, not getting out of some old town of sin or mediocrity that you should have left behind long ago? Are you eager to find that highway of faith that leads you from the habits of the flesh and those old towns of failure?
It’s here.
Come to this passage of Romans and let your hungry soul feast upon these life-changing truths. Romans 8 is a buffet for the starved Christian who’s been wandering the wastelands of doubt and weakness. These infirmities that we have – our illnesses, our personal failures, the quirks of personality that sometimes are good and sometimes not, and our every limitation – they are treasures in that they bring us to Christ. And there He says to us, “Dear child, these things aren’t worth comparing to what’s coming.” Christianity isn’t a philosophy of stoicism. It doesn’t say, “it is what it is.” Christianity is the religion of personal and loving redemption by the God who died for us. And, what’s more, is now personally interceding for us!
Imagine for a moment if you came to the knowledge that the great leaders of the world were having a summit and that your name was brought up. Think about this for a moment. What would that do for your attitude and life to know that the presidents and leaders were discussing your life right now? Imagine that they talked about your debts and your dreams and all your challenges. And imagine that their goal was to make sure that all things would work together for your good.
Now you see the enormity of this passage.
But look again.
The leaders of our nations are all tyrants these days (insofar as they rule not according to God but according to humanistic principles) and they are mere men. They could give you money and power, yes. Is that what you want? Is that what you think you need? Isn’t that the lure of the old mind – the flesh – to think that our problem is outward and physical, not spiritual? Isn’t that it? The leaders of men can know nothing of your heart. But the Spirit searches yours and knows you in a way more intimate than anything you can fathom. He knows it all. Yes, even the dirt of our faithlessness. But this filth He’s cleaned already at the cross so there’s no reason to hide in shame.
And He intercedes for you according to the will of God, not man. Why doesn’t the Holy Spirit drop a million clams in your checking account right now and “solve” your problem? Because it’s faith in Jesus that is life’s high and great goal! Do you see it? The flesh seeks human glory but the Spirit, interceding for us with, intimately, deeply, and lovingly, seeks the glory of God. Our problems aren’t financial or political. Those issues arise, in fact, because of our problems in a sin-sick world and, no, not all of those accounts will be perfectly settled before our eyes in this present age. That’s part of the glory that’s to be revealed but that glory – be sure – is through faith in the One who has saved us.
Would you want Him to intercede for you with a bigger house or a paid off car? Would you want Him to cancel your student loan debt or some other bill? Do you see these things, real and important as they are, as your primary concerns and Christ is there to service them? If you do then you’ll stay on those back roads, narrow and suffocating, like Israel in the wilderness, until you understand that love is your life’s highest goal. And not love as the world sees it, but love of God through Christ Jesus. A love that’s been poured into our hearts that wells up to righteousness and holy living. A love that’s full of gratitude and joy even in trials. A love that’s thankful for the deliverance from the bondage of sin.
A man will never escape a prison he doesn’t know he’s in. Sin is a prison of deception. It convinces us that slavery is freedom and freedom to God is slavery. Do you think that the Spirit is interceding for you but somehow failing? If so, you’re failing to understand the point of His intercession? Do you wait for Him to change your circumstances while you remain the same inwardly? He won’t do that precisely because He loves you perfectly according to the will of God! The mind that’s set on the flesh is waiting for God to fix the circumstances of life and it misses, tragically, the love of life in Christ. Our great Husband has redeemed us in love, rescued us, and put a robe of righteousness around our feeble shoulders. He calls us “His saints” and “My bride”. He is nearer to us than our very breath. He loves us and died for us. He sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us, praying for us, and always loving us in holy perfection.
So, do you want to change your life? Then focus on that love just like a new bride focuses on her beloved. Adore Him with all your heart and with abounding joy and confidence, serve Him. This is the treasure of our lives! A true and loving relationship with the sovereign God of the universe who loves us is the meaning of life. It’s the motive power of it all. It’s the reality our souls yearn for. It’s the cold drink in the hands of parched sinners, crawling along in shame in the desert of humanism. It’s the highway out of the lower towns of life.
We aren’t saved to an impersonal God. Jesus Christ isn’t an impersonal force like Taoism or Zen. He doesn’t speak in riddles. He doesn’t give you a bureaucratic number and send you on your way as though the Kingdom is some sort of cosmic DMV. He’s the God who is “a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing (Zephaniah 3:17).” And He will “wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:4).”
Every tear.
He will personally touch your face and wipe your tears, Christian. This is His promise and it’s what we look forward to. Who touches your face like that? Maybe your mother; only someone intimate to you. And it’s not only that, because your mother can only soothe you. She can’t solve the problems of pain, and crying, and mourning. He can. And He will. This is your destiny now in Christ.
There is therefore no condemnation. Don’t be afraid. Instead, set your mind on these things to come and the great reality of His love for you. That’s the answer to our every problem and it will provide the needed context for everything else in your life. Do you feel unloveable? Don’t despair because it’s not upon your merits that your salvation rests, but upon His grace. Focus on this and your paths will begin to straighten. Focus on this and you’ll find that you begin to obey Him out of love and out of a renewed heart.
Revelation 21:4 is coming. It’s inevitable. He will not be denied.
Focus. Focus on His love and His promise.
Recent Comments