Let us be glorified with Him

"Let us be glorified with Him" - Romans 8:12-17 Now, when we see the sharp contrast between the flesh and the Spirit, what conclusion do we come to? That we owe nothing to the flesh, that we may live according to its dictates. The old, ancient, corrupt nature has been nothing but a hindrance. It has never done us any good. "If Christ had not saved us, 'the flesh' would have dragged us into the deepest, blackest, fiercest places of hell. What obligation can we feel towards such an enemy? (13)

I. Those who "live" according to the "flesh" are to die.

A. They are to "die," not only physically, but "eternally."

1. To live "according to the flesh" is "not to be saved."

2. It's clear in verses 4 and 5.

3. Paul had great reason to write these words to those who were Christians.

4. It was a great warning and self-examination in his letters, knowing that in every congregation there may be those who have never been genuinely saved.

5. It describes what is characteristically true of genuine believers.

6. By the "training" of the Holy "Spirit" He causes "the works of the flesh to die."

7. They now enjoy eternal life, and they will enter life in its fullness when they "leave this earth."

8. (14) Another way to describe true believers is to say that they are "led by the Spirit of God."

9. Paul is not referring here to spectacular instances of divine guidance in the lives of eminent Christians, but referring to what is true of all of God's children, namely, that they "are led by the Spirit of God."

10. It is not a matter of the degree to which they give themselves to the Holy Spirit, but of a relationship that is inaugurated at the moment of conversion.

11. Coming to God as a child implies receiving (accepting) "the family of God," with "all the privileges and responsibilities of adult children." (You're not a kid.)

12. (15) When a person is born again, he is not born into a position of servitude.

13. He is not brought into the house of God as a slave but receives "the spirit of adoption"; that is, he is placed in God's family "as a mature son."

14. Out of a true spiritual instinct he raises his gaze to God and calls Him "Abba", Father, Dad.

15. Spirit of adoption means "positioning of mature children" and "adults" (not child) with all the privileges and responsibilities of parentage (seeks to establish the legal paternity or maternity of one person over another.)

16. Every believer is a child of God in that he or she is born into a family of which "the Father is God."

17. But every believer is also a child—a special relationship that carries with it the privileges of someone who has "reached maturity" of adulthood.

18. (16) There is a spiritual instinct in the newborn believer that gives him the "assurance that he is a child of God."

19. The Holy Spirit tells you.

20. The Spirit Himself bears witness together with the spirit of the believer "that" he is a member of the family of God.

21. As the believer reads the Bible, the Spirit confirms the truth that, having trusted in the Savior, he is now a child of God.

22. (17) Membership in God's family gives privileges that are "beyond our capacity for "understanding."

23. All of God's "children" are "heirs of God."

24. An heir naturally comes to inherit his father's possessions.

25. This is precisely what is indicated here.

26. All that the Father has is ours.

27. We have not yet entered the promised land and the enjoyment of it all, but nothing can prevent it from doing so in the future.

28. And we are "joint heirs" with Christ.

29. When He returns to take the scepter of universal government, we will share with Him the ownership rights of all the Father's wealth.

30. When Paul adds, if we suffer with Him, that we may be "glorified" with Him, he is not making of a heroic suffering the condition of our salvation.

31. Nor is he describing an elite or inner circle of overcomers who have suffered great afflictions.

32. Rather, it contemplates "all" Christians as suffering together and all Christians as glorified together with Christ.

33. The "if" is equivalent to "by how much."

34. Namely, there are those who suffer more than others in the cause of Christ, and this will result in varying degrees of reward and glory.

35. But all who acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior are here looked upon as if we suffer with Him, that together with Him we may be glorified (recognized and exalted). Amen.