All Scripture text will be presented in normal cased lettering, and all notes within the text will be in TRUE TYPE FONT, as shown. This (I hope) will allow you to avoid confusion between God's Word and my notes. As I update this web site, I will continue to embellish the text so that anyone using NETSCAPE 3.0 or MICROSOFT 3.0 will be able to read the document easier. Greek tenses are abbreviated as follows:

• GREEK TENSES:
• PR= Present Tense: Shows action in present time. When used with Active Voice, and Indicative Mood, often shows linear or continuing action.
• AO= Aorist Tense : Simple, undefined action. The time of the action is undefined, except in the indicative mood.
• FUT= Future Tense : Shows action of the verb as defined in the future.
• PER= Perfect Tense: The action was completed in the past, but has lasting and continuing results into the future.
• IMP= Imperfect Tense: Used only in the indicative mood, and refers to continuous or linear action in past time. As in "I was having".
• PLPF= Pluperfect Tense: The action was completed in the past, with continuing results in the past.
• GREEK CASES:
• GEN= Genitive Case: Usually indicates possession, though it can denote source of the action.
• INST = Instrumental Case: Usually denotes action on the object of the verb.
• DAT= Dative Case
• NOM= Nominative Case
• ACC= Accusative
• PL= Plural
• SG= Singular
• GREEK VOICES:
• AC= Active Voice: Action was completed by the subject of the verb.
• PAS= Passive Voice: The subject receives the action of the verb.
• MID= Middle Voice: The subject acts in some way upon itself or to itself.
• GREEK MOODS:
• IND= Indicative Mood : Makes an assertion of fact, and is used with all Greek tenses. Example: they will go, she saw.
• OPT= Optative Mood: Rarely used, it usually expresses a wish or desire.
• IMP= Imperative Mood: A command to do something.
• SUBJ= Subjective Mood: Makes an assertion about which there is some doubt, uncertainty, or indefiniteness.
• OTHER ABBREVIATIONS:
• PART= Participle : A verbal adjective, such as "having gone, receiving the gift".
• ABL= Ablative of source: When something is out of something. Example, The Spirit out of God.
• INF= Infinitive: A verbal noun, examples = to see, to go, to throw.

Through Christ, Who taught us the way to Love: David Buffaloe, Didaskalos Ministries

Romans 8:23-25 "And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it."

We have the firstfruits of the Spirit.  Firstfruits  is the Greek APARCHEN, which means, "the first installment".  We who are Christians have the first installment of the Spirit's work: we are washed (regenerated), we are sanctified (separated for God's use), we are justified (declared righteous), we are freed from sin.  We are in the Body of Christ and our power is in the Holy Spirit of God, not in the flesh.  We are the spiritually adopted children of God, this evidenced by the indwelling Spirit.  And yet we are not complete.  We have the first installment of the Spirit, but we are not yet glorified. Our bodies are still mortality, we are still subject to death.  So we wait in suspense for the second and final installment of the Spirit when we will be perfected in sinlessness in both body and soul.  We are saved by hope and faith but our redemption is not yet complete -- not until that time when we are complete in righteousness.

In his discourse on hope and faith Paul explains why the Christian is still waiting for the redemption of our body.  We have our adoption as children of God spiritually, but we have not completed our adoption physically.  We still wait in hope because we are not yet complete, and would not be wait in hope if we were already complete.

Romans 8:26-27 "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: 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. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

This is a beautiful text of Scripture, particularly the first line: the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities.  The word helpeth is the Greek SUNATILAMBANO, which means, "To take over together with".  The illusion is drawn of one person who goes over and partially takes the load that another person is bearing.  The Spirit's ministry is not to totally take over the burden of our lives, but to work in partnership and harmony with the Christian who relies on Him.  The word infirmities  is the Greek ASTHENEIA, which means, "Want of strength, weaknesses".  So many Christians fall and then condemned themselves for their failure.  God knows that we are not strong within ourselves, which is why he gave us the Holy Spirit.  We have the responsibility to be reliant on the Spirit's power.  We are freed from sin and given the Divine Helper.  We must be reliant on that Helper in order to achieve a victorious Christian life.

Isaiah 41:10  "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

Hebrews 13:5-6 "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."

When we look at the teachings of the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures we see that His works are often reflective of those works of God and Christ.  The Scriptures proclaim that God is our Helper -- they also proclaim that the Spirit is our Helper.  Romans states the Spirit (Himself) maketh intercession, that he is, he stands between us and the Father as a mediator on our behalf.  When we parallel this statement to:

Hebrews 7:24-25 "But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

We see that Christ also makes intercession for us.  Christ intercedes for us, and the Spirit intercedes for us.  Our Lord tore the veil of the Temple and now stands in the breech to intercede for us before the Father in Heaven.  Christ also left us the Comforter to be with us while we are here on the earth, interceding for us.

John 16:7  "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you."

Christ sent the Spirit to be his replacement here on earth, so it is not unusual to see the Spirit performing many of the personal ministries that were Christ's.  Dr. Berkhof stated: "The Spirit came as the PARAKLETOS to take the place of Christ and to do His work on earth'  that is, to teach, proclaim, testify, bear witness, etc, as the Son had done..". So when the Spirit intercedes for us here on earth, he does it as if it were Christ praying for us in the flesh.  The Spirit took over the work that the Christ left off, so that Christ is now free to intercede for us in the heavenlies.

In our Romans text Paul states that the Spirit intercedes for us when we know not what we should pray.  He makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  Cannot be uttered is the Greek ALALETOS, which means "unspeakable".  The Spirit's intercession for us in prayer is not reflective of a prayer Tongue which the supplicant speaks, but is a groaning which is unintelligible to our ears, unheard by any but God.  The Charismatics seek to use this verse to point out that there is a prayer Tongue, but the Greek text will not support any such proposition.  The Spirit grown things are heard only by God, and this is all is supported by both the Greek and English context of Romans.

In the last part of this text we have the assurance that the Spirit's intercession for us will be accepted, because he intercedes for us according to the will of God.

Think about how truly rich we are, my fellow believers! Two of the three members of the Godhead are interceding for us, loving us, representing us before the Father. Oh, the unsurpassable riches of His Grace. Oh, the security of our salvation and the peace that this knowledge brings. Praise Him for His overwhelming blessings toward us all!
 

Why is the Doctrine of Election such a difficult area to understand?  The Doctrine is very difficult because it seeks to explain the eternal and infinite Plan of God to our finite minds.  All other doctrines that we have discussed have dealt more directly with the creature (us) than with the Creator. The Doctrine of Election deals with the eternal Plan of Almighty God, and this infinite plan is as incomprehensible to us as the plans of men are to mice.

Job 11:7-10 "Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?  It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?  The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?"

Ecclesiastes 11:5  "As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all."

Romans 11:33-34 "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?"

The scripture itself teaches us that the mind of infinite God is unsearchable, and this is the main reason we have difficulty of the Doctrine of Election.  This Doctrine has for it's basis the mind of God. Before we get into our Romans text again I want us to take a minute and look at the three theological views of Election. Perhaps by examining these views we can come to a better knowledge of Election, and a better understanding of this difficult passage in Romans.

The doctrine of Election has been held in three different theological views, each equally liable with the other.  In our study we will examine each of these views:

The first view of election is proposed by Dr Charles Hodge, a prominent conservative theologian in the Church today.  Dr. Hodge teaches that God has not elected or chosen individuals, that his election was a choosing of nations or groups of people with a view toward promoting the Gospel.  This teaching has validity in the Scriptures:

Genesis 21:12-13 "And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed."

Deuteronomy 7:7-8 "The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt."

Psalms 33:12  "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance."

Isaiah 44:1-2, 7  Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. ... And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them."

We also see the evidence of a national Election in God's Plan in Romans 9.9-18.  Though these verses seem to be speaking of individuals it is certain that God was referring to nations (the Gentile and the Hebrew nations) through these individuals.  Granting that Dr Hodge's view has merit, it is still a recognized fact that God speaks of individual Election in the Scripture.

The other two theological views on Election are Arminian and Calvinist.  We will examine each in turn.

The the Arminian view of Election teaches that, though God elected or choose people to salvation, He did so by looking down through the ages to see who would accept salvation.  Once He attained  this knowledge, God chose those who would accept Christ as Savior. The Arminian view holds the free will of man to be first and foremost over the will of God insofar as Election is concerned. The Bible does teach us that we accept Christ as Savior on the basis of our free will:

John 3:15-18 "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

John 7:37-38 "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."

John 12:46-48 "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day."

2 Peter 3:9  "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

The Arminian view has merit, for if God implies in the Scriptures that man has free will to choose between damnation and salvation, then would God on the same hand determine that he would elect a select group of people unto salvation while excluding another?  In this sense the Arminian view is clearer because it ties the election of God and the free will of man together.

The Calvinist view of election holds that God unconditionally elected individuals to salvation in time, and holds there is severe error in the Armenian view.  To highlight this, the Calvinist's present the following passages:

Psalms 102:25-27 "Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:  But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. "

Malachi 3:6  "For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed."

Hebrews 1:10-12 "And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail."

James 1:16-17 "Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

The Calvinist's hold that the Arminian error is in their failure to recognize the unchangability of God.  The Scripture teaches that God in his essence does not grow or change as we finite creatures change.  God is complete.  If God were to change this would imply that He is not complete in His perfection, as growth is a trait of incompleteness.  The Calvinist's hold that if God look down through the ages to see who would be saved and, on that basis, elected man to salvation, then God would of necessity have grown in knowledge.

The Calvinist's do believe in the free will of man, contrary to popular opinion.  Calvin taught that the Scripture teaches both the freewill of man as well as the election of God. Since it teaches both doctrines then we should accept both as truth.  Calvin felt that any inconsistencies that there seemed to be should be attributed to our finite minds.  Calvin felt that the election of God was a mystery that we would only fully understand what we went to be with the Lord.

Which of the three views are right?  If I feel that all three have merit in their own right.  Honestly, I am not certain in my own mind which view is more correct, though I do lean a little more toward Calvin's view because of God's perfect being.  Regardless as to which theological position you hold, one thing should be remembered: God, through the Plan of Election, has established a schematic which will be followed.  Because of God's unchangeable nature we have assurance of our salvation.  God does not make mistakes in His certain Plan.  In this sense, Election brings me a great deal of comfort. I cannot be sure of anything in this temporal world, but I can be sure that God has me in the palm of His protecting hand. This should be the point that is emphasized in your minds while we study this next section of Romans.  As to which theological position is more correct, theologians for centuries have been arguing the points given here today.  I feel that we might not understand that the Doctrine fully until we go to be with the Lord, and we should humbly accept this, recognizing that we are finite beings. Now, on with Romans!

Romans 8:28-30 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."
 
I am reluctant to interpret these verses because of the division and dissension that such interpretations may bring into the Body.  I have no intent of  bringing division into the Body.  I am commissioned a teacher and preacher of God's Word to build up the Church.  As we interpret these Scriptures I ask you to remember to rely on the Spirit to guide you into all truth.  Do not rely solely on this teaching as the basis for your belief, but rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to help you determine fact from fiction.

I also ask you to remember that there are teachings in the Word of God that we grow into, there are mysteries which we cannot know at this time but will grow to understand.  I ask myself: do I know,  have I grown to understand the Biblical doctrine of predestination?  I must say that I am not sure.  Though I understand the Doctrine of the Trinity, I still do not understand many of its ramifications.  I believe in the free will of man to choose between heaven and hell, but the doctrine of predestination seems to disrupt the doctrine of the free will of man.  The Scripture seems to teach both doctrines, so we must accept both as equally true.

".. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God .."

The Greek tense of know is one which emphasizes "knowing with an absolute knowledge".  The Christian is no longer the enemies of God because of the blood of Christ.  We are them that love God.  We have an absolute knowledge that all things (not just outwardly good things) work together for our good because of the series of reasons.  These reasons are established by Paul in the continuing context.

".. to them who are the called according to his purpose .."

The Greek called is KLETOS, which translates "appointed".  The illusion is not of a mother calling her child so that he comes, but of a ruler of appointing an agent for a specific reason.  The reason the Christian is appointed is to fulfill the plan of God.  This plan of God (the plan of salvation) was established before the foundation of the earth.  This plan is a mystery, as Paul states:

1 Corinthians 2:7-9 "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:  Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

Titus 1:1-2 "Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began".
 

We were not called to salvation because of our own works or because we deserved it, but we were appointed as Saints to satisfy the purpose and grace of God:

2 Timothy 1:8-9 "Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.."

We were saved by Grace, appointed to this state of salvation according to the purpose and grace of God. Just as we did not earn nor deserve the salvation we now enjoy, we also did not earn the right to the offer of salvation. It suited God to call us who believe in Him.

".. For whom he did foreknow .."

Foreknow is the Greek PROGINOSKO, which means, "to know before hand".  God knew before hand whom He would appoint or call unto salvation.  It has often been said that God looked down through the ages and saw who would be saved.  Based upon this gained knowledge he predestinated those He knew would accept salvation.  Yet this interpretation of the verse does not take into account the general tenor of Scripture on the nature of God's changelessness.

Psalms 102:24-27 "I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:  But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end."

Malachi 3:6  "For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed."

Hebrews 1:10-12 "And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:  They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail."

James 1:17  "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

It is a characteristic of man that we continually grow and learn with each new experience.  We adapt and learn with each new change in the environment around us.  But God is not incomplete.  He does not have to learn something to know it, but knows all because he plans all.  He would not look down through the ages to see who would be saved to complete His plan.  This would be an action of  learning and God does not need to learn.  He is complete: nothing can be added to his knowledge.  Also, His Plan is certain.  To be in accordance with the teachings on God's unchanging nature we must believe that God designated whom He would appoint unto salvation at the time he designed His eternal plan.

".. he also did predestinate .."

The Greek word for predestinate is PROORIZO, which means "to mark out the boundaries or limits before hand,  to pre-determined".  To them God chose to appoint unto salvation before the world began he pre-determined that they would be conformed to the image of his Son.  In other words, he determined that they would be saved and later be glorified.  We see this teaching also reflected in the Scriptures:

Ephesians 1:4-7 "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"

1 Peter 1:2  "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied."

We were predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.  We were chosen so that Christ might be:

".. the firstborn among many brethren .."

Firstborn is the Greek APARCHE, which means "first fruits or first harvest".  Christ was the first fruit of salvation in that it was through him that God initiated the plan of redemption.  Christ led the way,  making it possible for many brethren (those who have believed on Him) to follow Him into the glory of Heaven.

1 Corinthians 15:20-23 "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming."

In the next part of the text we see the mechanics of  the plan of God, the means by which it was brought into being.

".. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified .."

On the basis of the plan of God Paul was able to say all things work together for good to them that love God.  Because the Plan is certain, our salvation is certain, and no bad thing could happen to us that would not ultimately be for our good.   God is Sovereign and will protect those whom he has appointed (predestined).

Proverbs 3:24-26 "When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.  Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.  For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken."

Hebrews 13:5-6 "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."

God gave us security in his plan through Christ.  He delivered up his Son to die for our sins.  Based on our security in His Plan we should fear no man, for we have protection in God.  We know that if we are killed for the faith then, based on the surety of God's plan of salvation,  we shall certainly be glorified and with God forever.

Romans 8:31-33 "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth."

Elect is the Greek EKLETOS, "chosen out ones".  This word is used to point back to the teachings given in verses 29-30 to reaffirm the surety of our salvation.  To lay any thing to the charge is to condemn, or to put  judgment against.  Paul  points out that no one can lay a legal charge against the Saints because God has justified them.  God will not justify (declare someone innocent) and at the same time condemn them.  Either one statement is true or the other statement is true: both cannot be true at the same time.  We have been justified by God, and  no one can bring us to a state of condemnation again.  God has promised our continuing justification unto glory.

A final note should be made in this section of Romans: The Scripture fully teaches the free will of man as well as the predestination of God.  As Christians we have a responsibility to uphold the integrity and authority of the Scriptures.  We must accept both doctrines as true based upon the testimony of the Scripture, and attribute any alleged discrepancies to our own lack of understanding.  There are two interpretations of the Doctrine of predestination that are popular within the Church today that could be within the realm of truth.  Some teach that God predestinated each Christian individually unto salvation.  Others teach that God predestinated the Body of Christ as a group, and not individual members within the group.  Let the Spirit guide you into all truth.

In these verses Paul recognizes the situation the Roman Christians are in.  They were under extremely great persecution.  The same text can be applied to any Christian who is a great persecution or tribulation.  Since we are in God's Sovereign plan, who can truly hurt us? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:34  "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."

Christ paid our debt. He is the only one in a position to condemn us, since we are His.  Christ cannot condemn us and at the same time be interceding on our behalf.  Christ is actively making  intercession for us all on the right hand of God  the Father (the right hand being the position of honor).  God is compelled to listen to His Son.  Because of this the Christian is secure in his salvation in the courtroom of God.  The text places importance on the death of Christ, but it places greater importance on his resurrection.  This greater emphasis is there because the resurrection of Christ insures our salvation, whereas the death made our salvation possible.

Romans 8:35-37 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."

The love of Christ is permanent, regardless of the conditions that might be present around us.  Christ is our key to continuing salvation, sitting and making intercession for us on the right hand of God.  Some might say, "but what Christ stops loving us, what then?  Will we not then be condemned by  God the Father?"  The Bible asserts that no condition or action will ever cause Christ to stop loving us.

John 10:27-30 "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.  I and my Father are one."

We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.  The phrase more than conquerors is the Greek compound HUPERNIKAO, which means "to gain a surpassing victory".  We do not have just victory over the power of the world, but we have a surpassing and splendid victory through Christ.  We have more than enough power to handle the sting and persecutions of this world because He first Loved us.
 
Romans 8:38-39 "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, 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 in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Because of the Plan of God and our place in it (eternal redemption), Paul was persuaded that nothing could separate to us from the love of God.  Paul next lists all conditions that could be construed to separate us from Christ but cannot.
 

1. Death, the the great separator, cannot take us from God.
2.  Life and the world have no power to break us away from His eternal love.  Though we may walk out of fellowship we remain in in God's Plan.
3.  Angels: even the fallen angels, who are much more powerful than we are, have no ability to separate us from God.
4.  Principalities: refers to the demons that inhabit the atmosphere of the earth. No Christian can ever be demon possessed, or cast away from God's Plan. (Ephesians 2.2; 6.12)
5. Powers: earthly rulers have no control over our security as God's Elect.
6. Things present: Refers to those things that are not mentioned in the preceding text.  Paul was not about to have someone come up with an area not covered later on and say "what about so and so?"  Sin has no power over us, nor does any man, woman, or child have the power to cast us from Christ.  This can even applied to ourselves: we might walk out of fellowship, but we still have no power to cast away the Love of God.
7.  Things to come: Refers to the certainty that our place in God's Plan of salvation has in the future.  The world can not even invent something that will separate us from God's love.
8.  Nor height, nor depth: Nothing in the sky nor nothing below the earth has the power to destroy His love for us.
9.  Nor any other creature: Nothing in God's creation has the power to cast us from God.  We are eternally secure in our salvation, secure because of His immutable Plan.

2 Timothy 1:12  "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. "

God is able to keep that which we entrusted unto Him, the salvation of our souls, unto the day of complete redemption.

We will take a short break and resume our study in Romans chapter nine.  God bless you all!
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