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The Pursuit of God (Romans 8)

Writer's picture: Quin. AQuin. A


Romans 8 is loaded with several compelling verses. Paul speaks about how we are to walk by the spirit and not by the flesh. He mentions that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because we have been set free from the law of sin and death. He explains that Christ took on the likeness of sinful flesh and became a sin offering for us so that we can fully meet the requirement of the law without us so much as having to lift a finger towards giving a sin offering—for what Christ did was complete and all-encompassing.


Paul continued and stated that although Christ made the sacrifice on our behalf, if we live according to the flesh, we will do the things of the flesh. He states that those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God, and that if we share in the sufferings of Christ, we may also share in his glory.


He mentions that creation is waiting, groaning, and anticipating our adoption to sonship in Christ just as a woman groans in labor and anticipates the birth of her child. It is quite beautiful that our coming to Christ is as exciting as the entrance of a newborn baby into the world. We all swoon over the sweet innocence of a newborn baby, and we all understand the beauty of newness entering the world. How much sweeter and more beautiful is it when a believer is adopted into the Body of Christ?  Indeed, the heavens rejoice over the repentance of one sinner because there is beauty in newness entering into the Kingdom of God just as there is beauty in newness entering into the world.


Paul continued and mentioned that both the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ himself are intercessors on the behalf of the saints. He states that sometimes we don’t know what we should pray for but thank God that the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf to align our prayers with the will of God. We have a companion, a helpmeet in our prayers—a helper who knows the will of God and can communicate our petitions to God in a way that we may be incapable of doing. Praise God that we have this type of divine assistance!


He then stated that all things work for the good of those who are called according to God’s purpose. And of course it does, right? How could it not when we have heavenly intercessors to align our prayers. If God sent the Holy Spirit to align our prayers, and his Son into the world so that we can be free from death and sin, surely he has proven that he wants all things to work out for our good. God has repeatedly shown himself to be in favor of us, even when we are not in favor of him.


And so then, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” Paul asked.


If God predestines us, calls us, justifies us, and then glorifies us, then how can anyone condemn or be against us? They simply cannot. Because of this, we are more than conquerors. Not by our own strength but by the strength and stability of God’s love. And because of Christ’s love, Paul concludes the chapter with this statement:


“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, neither angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 (Romans 8:38-39)


Romans 8 is so heavily loaded with content that it is quite difficult to condense its teachings down to one message. However, I am inclined to lean into the last two verses. If we examine the scriptures, we see that just as these concluding verses state, nothing has kept us from the love of God. He has always loved us even when he had reason not to.


When Adam and Eve sinned, it caused an inevitable separation between God and mankind. And then mankind continued to sin. Abraham lied. Issac lied. Jacob deceived. Moses struck a rock in disobedience. Noah became drunk. David planned murder and committed adultery. Samson fornicated. Peter denied Christ, and the writer of this text, Paul, persecuted Christians. 


But none of those things kept God from loving them. None of those things kept God from pursuing them. God still wanted them. He wanted them so badly that he was willing to watch his Son live a life that was beneath him and to die by the hands of mankind … the same mankind that continuously ignored his pursuit of them.


Likewise, God wants you so badly—he loves you so intensely that he continues to pursue you even when you ignore him and sin against him. Most people are not willing to pursue anyone to this length. But God did, God has, and God will continue until the last day.

Indeed, nothing has separated us from the love or the pursuit of God; and his pursuit of us continues daily.


And though nothing can separate us from his love, if we die in our sins, we will be eternally separated from him. That eternal separation does not mean he will no longer love those who will be cast away. It just means that the pursuit has ended. It will mean that he has finally accepted the rejection of the unrepented soul.


My prayer is that we will not reject God or his pursuit. May we accept God, love God, and pursue God as he has so diligently pursued us. I pray that your reading of Romans 8 blesses you, but most importantly, I pray that you will allow the pursuit of God to overtake you, and I pray that you will return the favor.


May God bless you and keep you.


 

Quin Arrington is a wife, mother, and author with books available for purchase on Amazon at www.amazon.com/author/quinarrington

Thank you for your time and attention. God bless!

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