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Through the Bible with Les Feldick
LESSON 2 * PART 4 * BOOK 23
ROMANS 8:14-17
Now, let's pick up again in Romans Chapter 8. In the last lesson we left off in verse 24 where Paul continues:
Romans 8:24
Well, we are, but faith and hope are in the same meaning, actually); but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?"
Faith. Let's go back to the Book of Hebrews, Chapter 11, for a moment, and look at a verse on hope and faith.
Hebrews 11:1
"Now faith (taking God at His Word) is the substance (the very meat) of things hoped for (just like in Romans Chapter 8), the evidence (the proof) of things not seen."
My faith isn't blind my faith is documented, and that's what The Word is all about. Verse 1 again:
For by it (faith) the elders obtained a good report (now here it is again in verse 3). Through faith (by simply taking God at His Word) we (believers) understand that the worlds (the universe) were framed by the word of God,..." Because God is infinite. There is no putting an outer shell on God's creation. Finishing verse 3:
Hebrews 11:3
"Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen (tangible) were not made of things which do appear."
So faith and hope, then, are so intricately intertwined. Now, come back to Romans Chapter 8.
Romans 8:24b
Now, verse 25.
Romans 8:25
"But if we hope (again by faith) for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it."
With God, time doesn't mean much. We wait patiently. Christ is going to return. Now, verse 26 and let's move into a little deeper area.
Romans 8:26
"Likewise the Spirit (the Holy Spirit who is now indwelling us, according to Paul's teaching) also helpeth our infirmities (our weaknesses. God can strengthen us in our places of infirmity): for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
I John 2:1
"My little children (who is he talking to? Believers! He doesn't call the unbelieving world his children. Just because we're under Grace, just because the sin is always less than God's Grace, that doesn't give us license. Don't sin!). And, if any man sin (that's conditional. I've told my classes over the years, and I think I've even said on the program, this is one of the miracles of our God. Now, back in Romans 8, the Holy Spirit is interceding on behalf of us. A little later in this chapter, no wonder Paul will write, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" We've got all three Persons constantly working on our behalf. Let's read on.
Romans 8:27
"And he that searcheth the hearts (this is the area in which God works. Absolutely! The Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf and the Son intercedes on our behalf to the Father. Romans 8:28a
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God..."
The believer! God may bring some tough things into our lives. Remember the illustration that I gave you about the young lady, when invited to partake of the love of God said, "I hate God!" Well, God's there, but it's their problem, not His. Now, let's continue with verse 28:
Romans 8:28b
Romans 8:29a
Romans 8:29a
Now, that's not heaven or hell. That's a position that God has reserved for every individual believer. Ephesians 1:4
Now, watch verse 5:
Ephesians 1:5
We were predestinated, not to heaven or hell, but we're predestinated as a believer to this position right there with Christ from day one as a joint heir in the process of the adoption. Ephesians 1:11
Just like we saw in Romans 8, that we are joint heirs with Christ. Now, if you're a joint heir that means whatever belongs to the other party is yours. The heir does. Now, reading verse 11 again:
Ephesians 1:11
God has predetermined everything. Let's go back to the Book of Acts for a moment and let me show you a verse that ties in. "Him (Jesus), being delivered (up to be crucified) by the determinate counsel (It's the same word) and foreknowledge of God (notice the language is the same as it was in Ephesians 1:11), ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:"
Now, what's a determinate counsel? It's a meeting of the minds (plural). The Trinity. Way back in eternity past, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, came together and by a determinate agreeing of their three minds, they decided to create the universe, and they decided to put in little old planet earth, and on it they would put the human race. God put the finger on everyone of us and said, "I have a place waiting for you." "Chosen in Him, before the world was ever created." We have to decide for ourselves, and yet the moment we decide God says. "I chose you."

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