General- Controversial- Humor- Question?

[AdHoc]

15 hours ago, Neighbor said:

Hi, Interesting take, BUT I do not think it is supported by the entirety, the immediate context, of what is  now a days noted as Chapter 8 of Romans.  It is by the Spirit that one is changed. One does not change of their own accord and then the Spirit adds on.

Let's examine both the context and the grammar. I post the text at the end for reference.

The first part of Romans 8 deals with the Law of Christ's Life which Person and resource we have indwelling in our spirits. This is God's solution to the Law of sin and death that overcomes the most pious of men. The section ends with us Gentiles being adopted. Adoption is a legal move by somebody who is not the blood-parent to place the adopted one into their will and/or testament. Since the Gentile Believers are not blood-line to Abraham, their claim to the Promises given to Abraham can be contested legally.

God overthrows any legal opposition by doing three things. (i) He makes us His sons by a new and additional birth via the Spirit (Jn.1:12-13, 3:6). (ii) He, through the Law of KINDS in Genesis 1:11-12, placed us IN Christ like Abel was in Adam. In John 12:24, when Jesus died He released us. Thus, we had our origin in Jesus and Jesus was a Seed of Abraham. So by being Christ's, we are seed of Abraham and HEIRS (Gal.3:29). (iii) The third way is by legally adopting us. This is a powerful legal move. Jesus was not blood son of Joseph. He was blood-son of Mary and so claims the throne of Israel through Nathan. But to claim the throne of Israel via Solomon, Joseph adopts Jesus. Jesus' claim to the throne of David cannot be contested.

Romans 8 shows our adoption. What is our INHERITANCE? The answer is "the world" (Rom.4:13). The following text then deals with two problems with being HEIRS in the coming age. (i) The first is that we are weaker than our enemy - "The Prince of this world" and "Prince of the power of the air". This produces an uneven battle and subsequent suffering. The cause of this is our body - or, the flesh. (ii) The second problem is that we are just not good people. We are just not like Christ. Chapter 5 says we have Adam's nature and will die. Chapter 6 says we need to be buried to overcome the sins that beset us. Chapter 7 says that a Law dwells within us that causes us always to succumb.

So what is the solution while we wait for the new body?

(i) We have an INTERCESSOR who knows the will of God. When we suffer, the Lord uses the suffering to mature us (1st Peter 1). But we pray that He takes it away (like Paul did). We are in pain and pray against the will of God. So the Holy Spirit, given as a INTERCESSOR, prays according to God's Word, not for the problem to go away, but for our "infirmity". To Paul, over the thorn given by Satan, God answers "My GRACE is sufficient": Paul would much rather have had the thorn removed, but then he ran the danger of pride, like Satan did.

(ii) We need a DISPOSITION like Jesus. We are to manage the creature. But are we fair? Are we merciful? Are we patient? Or, will we carry out the death penalty when required? Will we do the will of God? Now, whatever opinion we have of ourselves, let us regard Jesus. Was He 100% obedient? Yes. But why then must He "LEARN OBEDIENCE BY THE THINGS HE SUFFERED" (Heb.5:8). It is because as God, and possessing the fullness of the Godhead bodily, He would do nothing outside of His father's will.

But would he FEEL the consequences of obedience? As God and as a Man fully possessing the divine nature without measure, how was suffering to become part of Him experimentally? The same way as His compassion as High Priest was wrought - SUFFERING! The suffering added to Him. This is universally known. Every soldier knows what boot-camp does. It takes a schoolboy and makes him a man who runs toward the enemy and not away from him. Every gemologist knows how a diamond is formed. A piece of wood is subject to felling, being buried, tremendous heat and tremendous pressure. Is not the House of God made of precious stones.

Thus, Romans 8 shows us "called" as one thing, and then CONFORMED to Christ's DISPOSITION by suffering. And it is to this GOAL that God predestinated us. the Roman reading Chaper 8 is long saved. He is a Believer. He is addressed in Chapter 1 as part of the Church. Chapter 8 says he is predestined toa further glorious goal - Christ's IMAGE and LIKENESS so that the creature he rules will not have to groan.

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