Given the word “God,” without self-editing or over-thinking, what’s the word or phrase that comes immediately to mind? If you’ve been schooled in the false gospel of ceaseless striving, you may come up with words like judgment, severe, or disapproving. After all, it’s clear that we are not equipped to measure up on our own to the demands of a holy God.
However, if you’re tuned in to the truth of Romans 8, you are living a better story for it begins with the soul-liberating truth:
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
In If God Is For Us: The Everlasting Truth of Our Great Salvation
- Life in the Spirit
- Our role as heirs with Christ
- The promise of future glory
- Our assurance in the present moment
- The everlasting love of God that is the foundation of our life with him.
A Favorite Chapter from a Cherished Book
The six-week in-depth study begins with an overview of the book of Romans and a flying trip through the first seven chapters to serve as background for the material in Romans 8. This is a sound practice to establish here and to carry forward into our independent study of Scripture, because context is crucial to a full understanding of what we read. Evangelical tradition often has us jumping right into application of a passage without a full knowledge of the author’s intent.
Insightful questions lead the reader into considering what the passage says AND what it means, urging a full engagement with the text and a deep dive into all that’s unknown before giving in to the temptation to consult with the “experts” through commentaries. Then and only then are we ready for application of the truth to our lives, and Romans 8 delivers in so many ways, for not only does it unpack the heart of the gospel, but it offers assurance to those who are “in Christ Jesus” that we can indeed, through the power of the Spirit, live in fellowship with God on this fallen planet he created and loves.
Free from the law of sin and death,
Many thanks to Moody Publishers for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which, of course, is offered freely and with honesty.
Photo by Paweł Czerwiński on Unsplash
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Michele, I LOVE Romans Chapter 8 and your review of this powerful six-week study…I will definitely get it!
Romans Chapter Eight is uniquely the chapter of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is mentioned in Romans 8 no less than 19 different times. No other chapter in the New Testament contains as many direct references to the Holy Spirit. Romans 8 is also the chapter of Christian assurance. As theologian Frédéric Louis Godet said, Romans 8 begins with “no condemnation” and ends with “no separation” . . . which draws me to a word study of the word, condemnation…
https://bethwillismiller.blogspot.com/2017/09/prodigal-grace.html
Many blessings to you sweet friend ❤️
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Thank you, Beth.
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This is one of the most important lessons to truly embrace, this idea that God is for us. So grateful for the reminder on this Monday morning!
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Thanks, Rebecca! Hope your week is wonderful.
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This is one of my very favorite verses. I’m sure I read it even as a child, but only as an adult did it prick my heart and make me so grateful to belong to God! Thanks for sharing this verse and this resource today, Michele.
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I love that you bumped into this verse so early in life, Lisa! I discovered it when I worked through the chapter slowly, memorizing as I went. It’s still a favorite.
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This is crucial for each of us to know and embrace. So many voices from within and without can hurl condemnation at us. Sounds like a great study, Michele. Thanks for the review!!
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Thanks for reading, Pam. It’s a very well-constructed study.
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We did a study of Romans at our church and it took several weeks. So much to unpack and you’re so right about misuse of scripture without context. It is very important to look at the whole story, not just bits and pieces.
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Amazing how much our understanding of important passages of Scripture is enhanced by a knowledge of context.
So good to hear from you, Molly!
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I was supposed to have won a copy of this book from another blog, but never received it. I was so looking forward to it, because it sounded so good. I don’t know much about Trillia, but I see her tweets retweeted sometimes and have enjoyed her comments. I’ll have to put this on my wish list. This is a chapter packed to the brim with truth to meditate on.
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I’m eager to go through this book with a group of women! I’ve been wanting to do an in depth study of Romans 8!
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Yes, yes, yes! Loved this, Michele. This is the message that we need to shout from the rooftops. Too many people think of judgment and condemnation when they think of Christianity. This verse from Romans is the perfect accompaniment to your review. Sounds like another book to add to my list!
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It’s a great study. I’m looking forward to an opportunity to lead a group of women through it.
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Michele,
Having viewed God, for many years, as the judgmental Father, it took me a long time to wrap my arms around the truth that if I have seen Jesus, then I have seen the Father. Romans 8:1 was a scripture I had to speak to myself continuously as I tried to escape the striving, earning, and perfectionism treadmill. In His great mercy, God worked this Truth deep into my heart that there is now NO condemnation. None, zippo, zilch. Christ paid the debt and grasping this truth allows us to walk in freedom knowing we are forgiven. Thanks for sharing what looks like an enlightening read.
Blessings,
Bev xx
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This truth is counter to what we are used to telling ourselves, and it feels scandalous to us, but then, grace is a scandalously free gift.
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Michele, I am so thankful for no condemnation! So very, very thankful for His mercy and grace and how He has continually pursued me throughout my lifetime.
I have not read this book but should put it on my list. Thanks for the great post and book recommendation.
Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
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Isn’t it a glorious thing to be pursued by the Hound of Heaven?
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Like most who commented I love this verse too. I remember reading it for the first time after salvation 37 years ago and thinking, since nothing can separate me from Jesus I am never condemned by Him. Oh I may not walk as close as I should at times but even then He does not condemn me. It was a wonderful truth to start my Christian walk with Him. Love this post.
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Betty, it’s wonderful that you have that verse as a foundation for your relationship with God.
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Michele, I so appreciate your take on this book and on studying the Bible. We do need context surrounding the passage we’ll study so we accurately understand it.
I love how God, when we take the time to seek Him first to understand His word, is so good about giving us His insights into both what He’s saying in the passage and how it applies in our lives.
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Yes!
Somehow we’ve bought into the idea that Bible study should be “easy.”
Nope.
God wants us to roll up our sleeves and dig for the treasure.
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oh yes, we’re free indeed!
i am so grateful for all that Christ has freed us from and freed us for …
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From and For!
I love that, Linda!
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Romans 8 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. I too have it memorized. This study will no doubt add to the reasons why I love its truths and encouragement. It’s on my purchasing list! Thank you, Michele.
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Do you find that you have to be continually reviewing in order to “keep” the treasures you memorize? This book reminded me that it’s been a long time since I reviewed Romans 8 in a focused way, and I want to do that this summer.
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I sure do have to keep reviewing! My habit is to rotate through the passages I’ve committed to memory, one each day. Rarely can I breeze through without peeking once in awhile at the cards on which I’ve written the verses!
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It does take a lot of focus and commitment!
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MIchele, I was blessed with having done this study. I was encouraged with the reminder that every difficulty has purpose, even in our weaknesses the Spirit is at work, and to share the Gospel in my circle of influence as God brings opportunities. Wonderful review!
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So glad you got to do this study! I’m hoping to use it in a group SOON!
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Romans 8 – a fave. 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 created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. *never talk me out of that truth*
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Yes, definitely a favorite!
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I love the whole Book of Romans and went through Bible Study Fellowship last year on Romans. But Chapter 8 is my favorite. I read Trillia Newbell’s book, If God is For Us as a member of her launch team. I loved the depth of her study. Thank you for sharing!
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I can’t even begin to imagine how AMAZING it would be to excavate Romans with BSF!
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Roams 8 is totally my favorite book in the bible – and I have many!
It is so important to read things in context. Recently, I realized I jumped into a study without rereading the whole thing to get an idea of context. Things didn’t go as well as normal because of it. I’m not going to make that mistake again!
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Lesson learned!
Thanks for the reminder. I think we all tend to get whipped up and go rushing into things sometimes.
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This sounds like a great encouragement. laurensparks.net
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I read somewhere that we are all legalists at heart. It seems to come so much more naturally than embracing the gospel. We can never stop meditating on those gospel truths … the truth that sets us free to love and serve God!
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It sounds like a great way to explore faith and your own life. Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging
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Thank you for sharing at #ThursdayFavoriteThings. Pinned and shared.
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A wonderful reminder of who God is and how he is working for our good! Thanks for sharing with us at The Blogger’s Pit Stop
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Good to hear from you, Roseann!
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[…] Trillia Newbell has produced a comprehensive guide for my favorite New Testament chapter of the Bible–a deep dive into Romans 8! The six-week in-depth study begins with an overview of the book of Romans and a flying trip through the first seven chapters to serve as background for the material in Romans 8. Insightful questions lead the reader into considering what the passage says AND what it means, urging a full engagement with the text and a deep dive into all that’s unknown before giving in to the temptation to consult with the “experts” through commentaries. Then and only then are we ready for application of the truth to our lives, and Romans 8 delivers in so many ways, for not only does it unpack the heart of the gospel, but it offers assurance to those who are “in Christ Jesus” that we can indeed, through the power of the Spirit, live in fellowship with God on this fallen planet he created and loves. For more detail, check out my review here. […]
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