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Posted on 23 Jun 2024 by Mark Wilkinson in Romans

The text, from Romans 8:1-39, explains the freedom and life that comes from walking according to the Spirit of God, rather than the flesh. It highlights the struggle between the two and the superiority of the spiritual life. Through Jesus' sacrifice, God has condemned sin and set believers free from the law of sin and death. Those who walk in the Spirit are led by God, adopted as His children, and will ultimately be glorified with Christ. The text concludes with a triumphant declaration of the unconquerable love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Posted on 23 Jun 2024 by Mark Wilkinson in Romans

Certainly! Let's delve into answering these questions based on the insights from Romans 8:

  1. Walking in the Spirit vs. Walking in the Flesh (verse 1): Walking in the Spirit means living under the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit, aligning our thoughts, actions, and desires with God's will and purposes. It involves actively resisting sinful desires and choices that stem from our fallen nature (the flesh). Discerning this involves examining our motivations, actions, and whether they align with the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc., as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23).

  2. The Law of the Spirit of Life vs. the Law of Sin and Death (verse 2): The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus refers to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, which sets believers free from the power and penalty of sin (the law of sin and death). This freedom is achieved through faith in Christ, not through adherence to the Mosaic law but through a new life empowered by the Spirit.

  3. God Sending His Son in the Likeness of Sinful Flesh (verse 3): God sending Jesus in the likeness of sinful flesh emphasizes Jesus' identification with humanity and His role as the sinless sacrifice. By condemning sin in the flesh through Jesus' death and resurrection, God demonstrates His justice in dealing with sin and His love in providing a way for reconciliation and redemption.

  4. Fulfilling the Righteousness of the Law (verse 4): The righteousness of the law, which requires perfect obedience, is fulfilled in believers through Christ. As we walk in the Spirit, we live in accordance with God's will and character, fulfilling the moral requirements of the law. This is not achieved through our own efforts but through the transforming work of the Spirit within us.

  5. Carnally Minded vs. Spiritually Minded (verse 6): Being carnally minded leads to spiritual death because it focuses on satisfying worldly desires and selfish ambitions. In contrast, being spiritually minded leads to life and peace because it focuses on pleasing God and aligning with His purposes. Practically, this means prioritizing spiritual growth, seeking God's guidance in decisions, and cultivating a mindset that values eternal things over temporary pleasures.

  6. Indwelling of the Spirit (verses 9-11): The indwelling of the Spirit confirms our identity as children of God and empowers us to live out our faith. This presence assures us of our relationship with God, guides us in understanding Scripture, convicts us of sin, and empowers us to bear spiritual fruit. It also guarantees our future resurrection and transformation into the likeness of Christ.

  7. Heirs of God and Joint-Heirs with Christ (verse 17): Believers are heirs of God's promises and joint-heirs with Christ, sharing in His sufferings and glory. This perspective encourages us to endure present sufferings with hope, knowing that they are temporary compared to the eternal glory awaiting us. It also emphasizes our intimate relationship with Christ and the privilege of participating in His inheritance.

  8. Nothing Can Separate Us from the Love of God (verses 35-39): The assurance that nothing can separate us from God's love in Christ Jesus strengthens our faith and provides comfort in difficult times. It means that neither external circumstances nor internal struggles can sever our relationship with God. This truth empowers us to face challenges courageously, knowing that God's love is steadfast and unconditional.

  9. Hope in Salvation and Daily Walk (verses 24-25): Our hope in salvation transcends present circumstances and motivates us to persevere in faith. This hope is anchored in the promises of God and the assurance of future glory. It encourages patient endurance amidst trials and fuels our expectation of Christ's return and the full realization of our redemption.

  10. The Spirit's Intercession (verse 26): The Spirit's intercession for us with groanings too deep for words demonstrates God's intimate involvement in our lives and prayers. This intercession aligns our prayers with God's will, even when we struggle to articulate them ourselves. It underscores the Spirit's role as our Helper and Advocate before God, ensuring that our prayers are heard and answered according to God's perfect plan.

These answers reflect the profound theological and practical implications of Romans 8, highlighting the transformative power of the gospel and the believer's secure relationship with God through Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Posted on 23 Jun 2024 by Mark Wilkinson in Romans

Certainly! Here are some deep questions inspired by Romans 8:

  1. What does it mean practically to "walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (verse 1)? How can one discern whether they are living according to the flesh or the Spirit?

  2. How does the concept of "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" freeing us from "the law of sin and death" (verse 2) affect our understanding of sin and righteousness?

  3. In what ways does God's sending of His Son "in the likeness of sinful flesh" and condemning sin in the flesh (verse 3) demonstrate His justice and mercy simultaneously?

  4. What does it mean for "the righteousness of the law" to be fulfilled in us who walk according to the Spirit (verse 4)? How does this relate to our obedience to God's commands?

  5. How can we practically distinguish between being "carnally minded" (which leads to death) and "spiritually minded" (which leads to life and peace) (verse 6)?

  6. How does the indwelling of the Spirit (verses 9-11) impact our daily lives and our understanding of our identity as children of God?

  7. What is the significance of believers being both heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ (verse 17)? How does this affect our perspective on suffering and glory?

  8. How does the assurance that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (verses 35-39) influence our response to challenges, trials, and uncertainties in life?

  9. What role does hope play in our salvation and daily walk with Christ, especially considering the tension between what is seen and what is hoped for (verses 24-25)?

  10. How does the Spirit's intercession for us with "groanings which cannot be uttered" (verse 26) deepen our understanding of prayer and our relationship with God?

[Desire of Ages Chapter 1, 3 pages at a time per 10 questions]

  1. What is the significance of the name "Immanuel" in relation to Jesus Christ?

  2. How did Jesus Christ reveal God to humanity and the universe?

  3. What is the theme of God's wonderful purpose of grace, and what is its significance in the universe?

  4. What is the law of life for earth and heaven, and how is it manifested in Jesus Christ?

  5. How did God reveal Himself in creation, and what message did He write on all things in earth, air, and sky?

  6. How do all created things, except for humanity, minister to other lives and demonstrate the glory of God's excellence?

  7. What is the role of angels in relation to humanity, and how do they minister to fallen souls?

  8. What is the great principle of life in the universe, and how is it demonstrated in Jesus Christ's words and actions?

  9. How did sin originate in heaven, and what was Lucifer's motivation for rebelling against God?

  10. How did Lucifer deceive angels and humans, and what were the consequences of his actions?

  11. What was the reason for the darkness on earth, and how was it to be alleviated?

  12. How did God's government differ from Satan's, and what was the significance of this difference?

  13. Who was the only Being in the universe who could manifest God's character and break Satan's deceptive power?

  14. What was the plan for humanity's redemption, and when was it formulated?

  15. How did Lucifer's rebellion against God lead to the fall of humanity, and what were the consequences?

  16. What was the significance of Christ's voluntary sacrifice, and what did it reveal about God's character?

  17. How did Christ's incarnation and sacrifice fulfill the purpose that had been hidden from eternal ages?

  18. What was the significance of the burning bush and the pillar of cloud and fire in relation to God's revelation to humanity?

  19. How did Christ's humanity and divinity enable Him to relate to humanity and reveal God's character?

  20. What was the significance of Christ's statement "I Am" in relation to His identity and humanity's deliverance from sin?

  21. What character did Christ reveal when He took upon Himself humanity?

  22. What was the purpose of Christ's humiliation, as described in Philippians 2:8?

  23. How did Christ's sacrifice on the cross affect humanity's relationship with God?

  24. What was Satan's purpose in bringing about humanity's separation from God, and how did Christ's work counteract this?

  25. How did God demonstrate His love for humanity through Christ, according to John 3:16?

  26. What is the significance of Christ retaining His human nature, and what does this mean for humanity?

  27. How does Christ's role as the "Son of man" impact the relationship between God and humanity?

  28. What is the ultimate outcome of Christ's redeeming work, and how will it be celebrated throughout eternity?

  29. How does Christ's sacrifice demonstrate God's mercy and justify His government?

  30. What is the ultimate fate of the earth, and how will it be transformed through Christ's redemption?

Posted on 04 May 2024 by Mark Wilkinson in 1 John

  1. What is the mark of those who are born of God, according to verse 5?
  2. How do we demonstrate our love for the children of God, as mentioned in verse 2?
  3. What is the love of God, and how is it connected to keeping His commandments, as stated in verse 3?
  4. How does faith overcome the world, and what is the key to this victory, as mentioned in verse 4?
  5. Who is the one who overcomes the world, and why is it significant, as stated in verse 5?
  6. What is the significance of Jesus coming by water and blood, and how does the Spirit bear witness to this, as mentioned in verse 6?
  7. Who are the three that bear record in heaven, and how are they one, as described in verse 7?
  8. What are the three witnesses on earth that agree in one, as stated in verse 8?
  9. Why is the witness of God greater than the witness of men, as mentioned in verse 9?
  10. What is the record that God has given about His Son, and what does it mean for us, as stated in verse 11?
  11. What is the significance of having the Son and having life, as mentioned in verse 12?
  12. What assurance do we have as believers in the Son of God, according to verse 13?
  13. What is the confidence that we have in God, and how does it relate to our prayers, as mentioned in verse 14?
  14. What is the condition for our prayers to be heard and answered, as stated in verse 15?
  15. What is the distinction between a sin unto death and other sins, and how should we respond to each, as mentioned in verse 16?
  16. What is the nature of unrighteousness, and is there a difference between sins, as described in verse 17?
  17. What is the difference between being "born of God" and being "begotten of God," and how does it relate to sin and protection from the wicked one?
  18. How do we know that we are of God, and what is the contrast with the world, as stated in verse 19?
  19. What understanding has been given to us through the coming of the Son of God, and how does it relate to truth and eternal life, as mentioned in verse 20?
  20. What is the warning or instruction given in verse 21, and why is it important?

These questions can help explore the themes of being born of God, loving God and His children, the love of God and keeping commandments, the victory of faith, the significance of Jesus' incarnation and sacrifice, the witness of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the witness of God and men, the record God has given, the significance of having the Son, the assurance of eternal life, the confidence in prayer, the distinction between sins, the nature of those born of God, the contrast between the true God and the world, and the warning against idols.