(This was a message given to Bible students recently. It was shared in part to impart encouragement to the students, and to honor the memory of Dr. R. C. Sproul and his faithful ministry. Hope you find this as meaningful as I have.)
Dear students,
A while back, we were treated to a study published by R.C. Sproul on the spiritual disciplines every Christian should adopt – the little green 5 Things book. It packs a wallop of theology for Christians to help us submit to the shaping and molding that the Holy Spirit must do in our lives. A key focus of Pastor Sproul’s, and all grounded-in-Christ ministers is theology. Simply put, theology is a study of God and His ways, thinking, actions, Word. It is the grounding that all followers of Christ must have. You cannot be a Christian without knowing the Triune God and believing in the authority of His Word – His transformative Gospel – in which He reveals Himself to us.
One of the chapters in the Bible which we are told that Pastor Sproul found exceptionally valuable because of the total of theology it expresses is Romans 8. Here is what he and others of us who are Bible students know - as excerpted from Derek Thomas’ new teaching series on Romans 8:
"Romans 8 has almost everything. It begins with our justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (vv. 1–4), continues with sanctification and the work of the Holy Spirit (vv. 5–13), and then speaks about our adopted sonship with the Father (vv. 14–17), the significance of suffering (vv. 17–18), the prospect of glory (vv. 17–18), the final redemption of our bodies (vv. 17–25), and the restoration of all creation (vv. 19–21). It reassures us that as we wait for our resurrection and final transformation (vv. 23–24), the Spirit helps us in our weakness (v. 26) and intercedes for us (vv. 26–27).
It teaches us about the good and sovereign providence of God in our lives (v. 28), and that His goal is to transform us into the likeness of Christ (v. 29). Indeed, Paul says, nothing can stop God from bringing that to pass (v. 30). No one can successfully oppose us, bring any charge against us, condemn us, or finally separate us from God’s love for us in Christ (vv. 31–39).
This is breathtaking theology!
That is the point, isn’t it? Romans 8 is not merely breathtaking eloquence. It is the theology of these verses that puts backbone into Paul’s life—and it can put backbone into our lives too."
Doesn't the above reaffirmation make you want to grab your Bible and read Romans 8? And grab your Bible journals and write your reactions as you read!
In our next Bible Study, we will have an opportunity to learn and be reminded of all God the Holy Spirit is and what He does in our lives to accomplish all God’s purpose in us. We will use the publication by Dr. Charles Stanley, Relying on the Holy Spirit. . . .
... Be blessed with the joy of the Lord today!
