Romans 8:27-39

man oh man...behind by about 3 weeks at this point...apologies to any readers who were coming on a semi-regular basis...

here's another late catch-up bit from the end of August...

Romans 8:27-39

27 And he who searches our hearts* knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those
who love him,+ who+ have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son*, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined,* he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. 31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? 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, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge* against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.* 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."+* 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors* through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,+ neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,* 39 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.

*8:27 = Rev 2:23 - I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

+8:28 Some manuscripts And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God

+8:28 Or works together with those who love him to bring about what is good--with those who

*8:29 = Php 3:21 - who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

*8:30 = Eph 1:5,11 - he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance
with his pleasure and will--...In him we were also chosen,having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,

*8:31 = Ps 118:6 - The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

*8:32 = Jn 3:16, Ro 5:8 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.... But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

*8:33 = Isa 50:8-9 - He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. Who is he that will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up.

*8:34 = Heb 7:25, 9:24, 1Jn 2:1 - Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them....For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence....My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

+8:36 Psalm 44:22 - Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.

*8:36 = Ps 44:22, 2Co 4:11 - Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered....For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.

*8:37 = 1Co 15:57 - But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

+8:38 Or nor heavenly rulers

*8:38 = Eph 1:21 - far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

well, my only comment is that really, when it come down to it, what do we have to be afraid of?...we've got a blood-relative who has the ear of the Ultimate & Final Judge, so whatever happens here is kinds inconsequential, isn't it?...