SCRIPTURE REFERENCES » Romans 8

Jul 13
22

This Week’s Catechism – 7/21

Doctrinal Standard WSC #79 & 80

  • Q. What is the tenth commandment?
  • A. The tenth commandment is: You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
  • A. What does the tenth commandment require?
  • Q. The tenth commandment requires us to be completely satisfied with our own status in life and to have a proper, loving attitude toward others and their possessions.

Memory Verse(s)

  • Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Romans 8:26-30
  • Support Passages: Exodus 20:17; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Timothy 6:6; Job 31:29; Romans 12:15; 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
  • Bible Story: Job 1:13-22

Thoughts

  • “It would not be inaccurate to say that coveting is the root of all other sin. James says, ‘every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lusts [or covetous desire] and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death’ (James 1:14-15). So, as Paul says, a ‘covetous man… is an idolater’ (Eph. 5:5). Or in other words, if the sinful desire is there, then there is already a violation of all the other commandments at least in principle. Thus some have held that the first beginning of sin in Adam and Eve was covetousness (the sinful desire to eat the forbidden fruit). Then, when this desire was expressed outwardly, there was a simultaneous violation of all other nine commandments.
  • But why does this commandment speak of such common possessions (house, wife, manservant, maidservant, ox, or ass) if it has such far-reaching implications? The answer is this: covetousness begins with a dissatisfied heart. It begins when we compare our own situation with that of another who has (or appears to have) more than we do! ‘Take heed,’ said Jesus, ‘… for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth’ (Luke 12:15). Let a man once become dissatisfied with the portion God has given him, and he will then be tempted with a thousand other sins. And it can hardly be denied that this a besetting sin today. We are constantly stimulated, by television, by advertisement, by easy credit plans, and so forth, to feel that we must have something newer, and bigger, and better! The ‘good life’ is pictured as belonging to those wgi have everything. How different the thought expressed by the Apostle Paul. ‘ I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need’ (Phil. 4:11-12). This, then is the biblical requirement: full contentment with what God has given us.
  • This does not mean that we should make no effort to improve our wealth and outward estate. The Bible says, ‘he becometh poor that dealth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich’ (Prov. 10:4). Scripture teaches us that God has given us abilities that we ought to use diligently. God also gives us the opportunities that come to us to use our abilities. It is therefore our duty to us both our abilities and opportunities fruitfully. But we must at the same time be content with the limits of both our ability and opportunity. And we are not to grieve when someone else is enabled to advance beyond what we are able (Gal. 5:26; James 3:14, 16). There is a sense, in other words, in which men are not created equal. God himself gives more to one than to another. And it is our duty to accept our place as God ordains with humble and thankful hearts.” [1]

Discussion Questions

  • What is the Tenth Commandment?
  • What does the Tenth Commandment require?
  • What does it mean to be content? How does this relate to the Tenth Commandment?
  • Explain the difference for wanting (working for) something better and covetousness.
  • Read Phil. 4:11-12 regarding contentment in Paul’s life. Discuss if you are content with your life.
  • What does covetousness and contentment reveal about our heart and appreciation towards God?
  • Discuss the statement, “coveting is the root of all other sin.”

[1] Williamson, C.I. (2003). The Westminster Shorter Catechism – 2nd Edition. Phillipsburg, New Jersey, USA; P&R Publishing Company.

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Oct 12
8

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #36 (2 of 3 Weeks)

Doctrinal Standard #36 (2 of 3 weeks)

  • Q. What benefits in this life go with or come from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
  • A. The benefits that in this life go with or come from justification, adoption, and sanctification are: the assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Spirit, and growing and persevering in grace to the end of our lives.

Memory Verses

  • “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:31–32 (ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Romans 8:26-39
  • Support Passages: 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 10:27-30, Philippians 1:6, 2 Peter 1:5-11, John 17, Hebrews 9:13-15
  • Bible Story: Genesis 47:13-26, 50:20

Thoughts

  • Wayne Grudem does a good job explaining the joy a believer experiences when they understand their purpose in life (Pg 441-442).
  • “What is our purpose in life? The fact that God created us for his own glory determines the correct answer to the question, ‘ What is our purpose in life?” Our purpose must be to fulfill the reason that God created us: to glorify him. When we are speaking with respect to God himself, that is a good summary of our purpose. But when we think of our own interests, we make the happy discovery that we are to enjoy God and take delight in him and in our relationship to him. Jesus says, ‘I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly’ (John 10:10). David tells God, ‘In your presence there is fullness of joy, in your right hand are pleasures for evermore’ (Ps. 16:11). He longs to dwell in the house of the Lord forever, ‘to behold the beauty of the Lord’ (Ps. 27:4), and Asaph cries out, ‘Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing upon earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever (Ps 73:25-26).

    Fullness of joy is found in knowing God and delighting in the excellence of his character. To be in his presence, to enjoy fellowship with him, is a greater blessing than anything that can be imagined. ‘How lovely is your dwelling place O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yea, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God… For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere (Ps. 84:1-2, 10). Therefore, the normal heart attitude of a Christian is rejoicing in the Lord and in the lessons of the life he gives us (Rom. 5:2-3; Phil. 4:4; 1 Thess. 5:16-18; James 1:2; 1 Peter 1:6, 8)

    As we glorify God and enjoy him, Scripture tells us that he rejoices in us. We read, ‘as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you’ (Isa. 62:5), and Zephaniah prophesies that the Lord ‘will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud signing as on a day of festival’ (Zeph 3:17-18).
    This understanding of the doctrine of the creation of man has very practical results. When we realize that God created us to glorify him, and when we start to act in ways that fulfill that purpose, then we begin to experience an intensity of joy in the Lord that we have never before known. When we add to that the realization that God himself is rejoicing in our fellowship with him, our joy becomes inexpressible and filled with heavenly glory’ (1 Peter 1:8, author’s expanded paraphrase). [1]

Discussion Questions

  • What does it mean to be joyful?
  • Why can we have joy in our lives?
  • How can we glorify God?
  • Why does joy come from glorifying God?
  • Examine your own life. Do you take joy in God? Explain

 

[1] Grudem, Wayne (1994). Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA; Zondervan Publishing House.

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Sep 12
17

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #35

Doctrinal Standard #35

  • Q. What is sanctification?
  • A. Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace by which our whole person is made new in the image of God, and we are made more and more able to become dead to sin and alive to righteousness.

Memory Verses

  • “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:1–2, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Romans 7-8
  • Support Passages: I Thessalonians 5:23, II Thessalonians 2:13, Romans 6, I Corinthians 6, Philippians 3:1-16, Romans 12:1-2, I Peter 1:13-21
  • Bible Story: Genesis 12-25:11

Thoughts

  • “Sanctification is the continuing work of God in the life of the believer, making him or her actually holy. By ‘holy’ here is meant ‘bearing an actual likeness to God.’ Sanctification is a process by which one’s moral condition is brought into conformity with one’s legal status before God. It is a continuation of what was begun in regeneration, when a newness of life was conferred upon and instilled within the believer. In particular, sanctification is the Holy Spirit’s applying to the life of the believer the work done by Jesus Christ” (pg. 980). [1]
  • While justification and sanctification are connected it is important to understand the distinction between the two. Justification is what saves an individual from their sins and allows them to be accepted before God. This is made possible through the righteous life and death of Jesus Christ (see lesson #48-49). Justification is applied to an individual through faith and by faith alone. While sanctification does not save an individual sanctification is the response to the justification in the life of a believer. Sanctification is the “progressive work of God and man that makes us more and more free from sin and more like Christ in our actual lives” (pg. 1259).
  • Romans chapter seven and eight is an interesting passage of scripture that explains the connection between God’s Law, justification, and sanctification. In chapter seven, Paul explains that God’s Law is good and it is the measure by which man must perfectly live by in order to be accepted by God. Paul goes on to explain that it is impossible for man to live up to this expectation. In fact, the more Paul understands the Law, the more he realizes how much sin is in his life. Paul teaches that’s it’s the imputed righteousness and forgiveness in Christ blood that takes the place of man’s efforts to keep the Law and be accepted before God (justification). Does this mean that the Law is done away with? Paul says no! While there is no way man can keep the Law to be accepted before God, with the Spirits help we are called to live pure and holy lives which the Law points towards (sanctification).

Discussion Questions

  • Explain in your own words sanctification.
  • How does sanctification differ from justification?
  • What is the measure of sanctification?
  • Is sanctification an option for believers? Explain
  • How does God play a part of sanctification?
  • Does the sanctification process ever stop for a believer?

[1] Erickson, Millard J. (1998). Christian Theology. Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA; Baker Books.

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Sep 12
10

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #34

Doctrinal Standard #34

  • Q. What is adoption?
  • A. Adoption is the act of God’s free grace by which we become His sons with all the rights and privileges of being His.

Memory Verses

  • “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Romans 8:16–17, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Romans 8:12-17
  • Support Passages: Ephesians 1:3-6, II Corinthians 6:18, Hosea 1:10, Galatians 4:1-7, Psalm103:13, Hebrews 12:6
  • Bible Story: Exodus 2:1-10

Thoughts

  • Wayne Grudem in his Systematic Theology book provides insight into the benefits and privileges of being adopted into God’s family.
  • “One of the greatest privileges of our adoption is being able to speak to God and relate to him as a good and loving Father. We are to pray, ‘Our Father who art in heaven’ (Matt 6:9), and we are to realize that we are ‘no longer slaves, but sons’ (Gal. 4:7). Therefore, we now relate to God not as a slave relates to a slave master but as a child relates to his or her father. In fact, God gives us an internal witness from the Holy Spirit that causes us instinctively to call God our Father. ‘When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God’ (Rom. 8:15-16). This relationship to God as our Father is the foundation of many other blessings of the Christian life, and it becomes the primary way in which we relate to God. Certainly it is true that God is our Creator, our judge, our Lord and Master, our teacher, our provide and protector, and the one who by his providential care sustains our existence. But the role that is most intimate, and the role that conveys the highest privileges of fellowship with God for eternity, is his role as our heavenly Father” (pg. 739).
  • “The privilege of being led by the Holy Spirit is also a benefit of adoption. Paul indicates that this is a moral benefit whereby the Holy Spirit puts in us desires to obey God and live according to his will. He says, ‘all who are led by the spirit of God are sons of God’ (Rom. 8:14), and he gives this as the reason Christians should ‘put to death the deeds of the body’ by means of the Holy Spirit working within them (v.13; note ‘for’ at the beginning of v. 14). He sees the Holy Spirit as leading and guiding God’s children in paths of obedience to God” (Pg. 740).
  • “Another privilege of adoption into God’s family, though we do not always recognize it as a privilege, is the fact that God disciplines us as his children. ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves and chastises every son whom he receives’ (Heb 12:4-6, quoting Prov. 3:11-12). The author of Hebrews explains, ‘God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?… he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness’ (Heb 12:7, 10). Just as earthly children grow in obedience and righteousness when they disciplined properly by their earthly fathers, so we grow in righteousness and holiness when we are disciplined by our heavenly Father” (Pg. 740). [1]

Discussion Questions

  • What does it mean for someone to be adopted into a family here on earth?
  • How is this similar to Christians being adopted by God?
  • What are the benefits of being adopted into God’s family? Explain
  • How does God discipline His children?
  • How is being disciplined by God a sign of being in his family?

[1] Grudem, Wayne (1994). Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA; Zondervan Publishing House.

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Aug 12
13

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #31

Doctrinal Standard #31

  • Q. What is effective calling?
  • A. Effective calling is the work of God’s Spirit, Who convinces us that we are sinful and miserable, Who enlightens our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and Who renews our wills. This is how He persuades and makes us able to receive Jesus Christ, Who is freely offered to us in the gospel.

Memory Verses

  • “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified” (Romans 8:29–30, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Ephesians 2:1-10
    • Support Passages: Acts 26:14, Romans 8:28-30, John 3:5-8, Acts 28:23-28, Ezekiel 36:25-28, I Corinthians 1:22-25, II Thessalonians 2:13&14
  • Bible Story: Acts 10

Thoughts

  • Below is taken from Chapter thirty-three of Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology on the Gospel Call and Effective Calling (pg. 692-693).

“When Paul says, ‘Those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified’ (Rom. 8:30), he indicates that calling is an act of God. In fact, it is specifically an act of God the Father, for he is the one who predestines people ‘to be conformed to the image of his son’ (Rom. 8:29). Other verses describe more fully what this calling is. When God calls people in this powerful way, he calls them ‘out of darkness into his marvelous light’ (1 Peter 2:9); he calls them ‘into the fellowship of his Son’ (1 Cor 1:9; cf. Acts 2:39) and ‘into his own kingdom and glory’ (1 Thess. 2:12; cf. 1 Peter 5:10; 2 Peter 1:3). People who have been called by God ‘belong to Jesus Christ’ (Rom. 1:6). They are called to ‘be saints’ (Rom 1:7; 1 Cor 1:2), and have come into a realm of peace (1 Cor. 7:15; Col 3:15), freedom (Gal 5:13), hope (Eph. 1:18; 4:4), holiness (1 Thess. 4:7), patient endurance suffering (1 Peter 2:20-21; 3:9), and eternal life (1 Tim. 6:12).

These verses indicate that no powerless, merely human calling is in view. This calling is rather a kind of ‘summons’ from the King of the universe and it has such power that is brings about the response that it asks for in people’s hearts. It is an act of God that guarantees a response, because Paul specifies in Romans 8:30 that all who were ‘called’ were ‘justified.’ This calling has the capacity to draw us out of the kingdom of darkness and bring us into God’s kingdom so we can join in full fellowship with him: ‘God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his son, Jesus Christ our Lord’ (1 Cor. 1:9).

This powerful act of God is often referred to as effective calling to distinguish it from the general gospel invitation that goes to all people and which some people reject. This is not to say that human gospel proclamation is not involved. In fact, God’s effective calling comes through the human preaching of the gospel, because Paul says, ‘to this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ’ (2 Thess. 2:14). Of course, there are many who hear the general call of the gospel message and do not respond. But in some cases the gospel call is made so effective by the working of the Holy Spirit in people’s hearts that they do respond; we can say that they have received ‘effective calling.’

We may define effective calling as follows: Effective calling is an act of God the Father speaking through the human proclamation of the gospel, in which he summons people to himself in such a way that they respond in saving faith.

It is important that we not give the impression that people will be saved by the power of his call apart from their own willing response to the gospel (see chapter 35 on the personal faith and repentance that are necessary for conversion). Although it is true that effective calling awakens and brings forth a response from us, we must always insists that this response still has to be a voluntary, willing response in which the individual person puts his or her trust in Christ.

This is why prayer is so important to effective evangelism. Unless God works in people’s hearts to make the proclamation of the gospel effective, there will be no genuine saving response. Jesus said, ‘no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him’ (John 6:44).

An example of the gospel call working effectively is seen in Paul’s first visit to Philippi. When Lydia hearf the gospel message, ‘the Lord opened her heart to give heed to what was said by Paul’ (Acts 16:14).

In distinction from effective calling, which entirely an act of God, we may talk about the gospel call in general which comes through human speech. This gospel call is referred to all people, even those who do not accept it. Sometimes this gospel call is referred to as external calling or general calling. By contrast, the effective calling of God that actually brings about a willing response from the person who hears it is sometimes called internal calling. The gospel call is general and external and often rejected, while the effective call is particular, internal, and always effective. However, this is not to diminish the importance of the gospel call – it is the means God has appointed through which effective calling will come. Without the gospel call, no one could respond and be saved! ‘How are they to believe in him whom they have never heard?’ (Rom. 10:14). Therefore it is important to understand exactly what the gospel call is.”[1]

Discussion Questions

  • Why do we need the work of the Holy Spirit in order to receive Jesus Christ and please God?
  • Why does God need to enlighten our minds in the knowledge of Christ?
  •  Why does God need to renew our wills?
  • The catechism says He “persuades and makes us able to receive Jesus Christ.” What does the catechism mean when it says persuades?
  • What part does God’s word and prayer play in people receiving Jesus Christ?
  • How does it make you feel that God is in control of our salvation?

[1] Grudem, Wayne (1994). Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA; Zondervan Publishing House.

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May 12
22

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #25 (Week 3 of 3)

Doctrinal Standard #25 (Week 3 of 3)

  • Q. How is Christ a priest?
  • A. As a priest, Christ offered Himself up once as a sacrifice for us to satisfy divine justice and to reconcile us to God, and He continually intercedes for us.

Memory Verses

  • “ Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Romans 8:34, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: John 17
  • Support Passages: John 14:6; Romans 8:31-39; Hebrews 4:14-16, 7:23-8:3; I John 1:9-2:2
  • Bible Story: Numbers 16

Thoughts

  • According to John 17, while Jesus Christ was on earth he prayed for his current disciples and for those who would believe. Jesus prayed that the Father would “keep” all those who are His (assurance of salvation). Jesus prayed to the Father and asked Him to allow His followers to have His joy. He asked God to not take His followers out of the world but to “keep them from the evil one.” He asked the Father to sanctify, or, to set apart believers by the word of truth. Jesus prayed that all of His current and future followers might be of one mind in a loving community of faith.  Jesus also prayed that His followers would one day return with Christ and witness His magnificent glory.
  • Not only does Jesus Christ pray to and interact with God on our behalf, He also communicated to mankind on God’s behalf. Jesus mentions in His prayer (John 17) that He accomplished the work that the Father had given Him. Jesus mentions how He came from the Father bringing the truth of God to the world. Hebrews 1:1–4 explains it this way, “long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”
  • Jesus Christ, as our High Priest, intercedes on our behalf before God the Father and He intercedes on God’s behalf before us. When we worship God the Father, Jesus Christ is the conduit or the door by which we are able to approach and be accepted before our Mighty Lord.

Discussion Questions

  • Read John 17. Who is Jesus praying for?
  • How does this make you feel?
  • List and discuss the types of things Jesus prayed for.
  • How does this make you feel?
  • Why do we need Jesus to intercede or mediate for us?
  • Jesus intercedes for us before God, but how does Jesus intercede for God before us?
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