And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God. This was a remarkable statement for the Apostle Paul to make, especially when we consider how much he had suffered because of his love to God and his truth. He had been imprisoned, he had been stoned, he had been beaten with stripes; and yet, after all this, he is able to say that "all things work together for good to them that love God." Some might be disposed to doubt such a statement with regard to the experience even of the Christian. Yet many others besides Paul have borne similar testimony. David said, "I have been young, and now am old; yet never have I seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread" (Psalm 37:25). And again, "Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I kept thy Word It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes" (Psalm 119:67, 71).

I. THERE IS GOOD IN ALL THE PROVIDENCES OF GOD. Many persons think there is good only in those things that give pleasure or delight to body or mind. They will admit that there is good in health and prosperity, But they find it hard to see what good there can be in sickness, in adversity, in poverty, or in sorrow. The apostle takes a wider view of life's experiences. He holds that "all things work together for good." He could appreciate the joys of life, but he felt that there was a wise purpose and blessing in life's sorrows and trials also. Our human nature is in itself unholy, alienated from God, easily absorbed by the influences of this present world, and easily led away by temptation and sin. What a proof of the ungodliness of man's nature is afforded by the fact that many are as little affected by the most certain and most important religious truths, which they profess to believe in, as if they did not believe them at all! There are no truths more universally admitted than the existence and moral government of God, the certainty of death and of a future state of rewards and punishments. Yet how many do we see around us whose character and conduct afford almost no evidence that they believe in these truths at all! How, then, are men to be roused from their indifference? How are they to be led to think seriously of their own souls and that eternity that awaits them? Some might be disposed to answer - By what we ordinarily call exhibitions of God's love and goodness. But we are having exhibitions of God's love and goodness supplied to us every day in our daily food, in health and strength, and all the other blessings and comforts which we enjoy. Yet these, instead of making men think of eternity, seem to make them think more of this present world. God's goodness, instead of leading them to repentance, hardens their hearts. The discipline and awakening of suffering and trial are needed. These trials, breaking in upon the routine of our daily business and enjoyments, help to withdraw our desires from the things of this perishing world, and to fix them upon a more enduring substance. They remind us that this is not our rest; that we are entirely dependent upon a power that is above us for all our happiness and comforts; and that there is indeed a God that judgeth in the earth. There is nothing more calculated to show a man his own weakness and his dependence upon a higher Power, and to lead him to reflect seriously upon his future prospects, than to find himself, in the midst of important and perhaps pressing duties, suddenly laid aside, stretched upon a bed of sickness, racked, it may be, with pain, and unable to do anything for himself. In such circumstances we must feel that "it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." There are many Christians everywhere who, with feelings of deep humility and gratitude, are ready to acknowledge that they never had any serious thought of eternity, that they never knew the power of the love of Christ, and that they were never led to seek him as their Saviour, until the day of adversity made them consider; until they were stripped of their dearest possessions; until they were warned by the sudden death of some one who was dear to them; or until they themselves were laid upon a bed of sickness, and brought nigh unto the gates of death. "Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with men, to bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living" (Job 33:29, 30). And through all the Christian life, how many times we have to thank God for the discipline of trial! Our trials have often proved to be our greatest blessings (see also on Romans 5:3-6).

II. WHO ARE THOSE THAT EXPERIENCE THIS GOOD IN ALL GOD'S PROVIDENCES? "All things work together for good to them that love God. It is not all men, therefore, who are entitled to such a happy way of looking at the events of life. There are many in whose case everything that God gives them seems to be turned into evil. Not merely the trials which harden their hearts, but also his blessings which they abuse and are ungrateful for, and the life he gives them, which they misspend. The more they have prospered, the more they have forgotten God. Those things that might be a blessing if rightly used, become their greatest curse. Love to God is the quality that makes all life happy and blessed. Love to God sweetens every bitter cup, and lightens every heavy burden. For if we love him, we must know him, we must trust him. That is the threefold cord that binds the Christian unto God, and that keeps him safe in all the changes and circumstances of life. In order to love God, we must know him and trust him. This knowledge and this trust can only come by the study of God's Word. This love can only come from a heart that has experienced the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit. The natural man is enmity against God. Cultivate the love of God if you would have light for the dark places of life, if you would have strength for its hours of weakness, and comfort for its hours of trial and sorrow. Then you will experience that all things work together for good to them that love God." - C.H.I.

This consists of several links. The middle portion of it hangs down to earth, and comes into the view of men; but the ends of it are fastened to the two eternities and are both hidden. Note: —

I. THE UNBROKEN SUCCESSION OF STEPS IN THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE ORIGINAL PURPOSE OF GOD. Calling and justification are the principal links, but not all the links; they are sufficient, however, to show that between the eternity of purpose and the eternity of glorification there is no flaw or fracture. We gather from this view of the subject that to get possession of any one link is to get all the links — the unseen as well as the seen — and consequently the whole chain. "Calling" carries with it "justification" and glorification on the one hand, and predestination on the other.

II. THE CO-EXTENSIVE UNIFORMITY OF ITS SUCCESSIVE REALISATIONS. Every link of the chain is equally comprehensive in the space it covers. The same subjects are handed over at every stage of the progress to the stage that follows. There is no reduction of the number as the process goes on; and if we leave out all intermediate steps, we may say, "Whom He did foreknow, them He also glorified." Any two terms of the series may be brought into an equation, and if we wish to satisfy ourselves of our predestination, or of our salvation hereafter, then we have only to be clear about our interest in the calling, or in the justification. The unknown quantity may thus be determined by the known, because they are equivalents. Observe that "glorified," like all the other expressions, is in the past tense. And this is used to express the certain and inseparable connection between the different progressive steps in the enumeration, or because what God has determined to do may be said to be done already. There is no tense to express the activity of God, with whom past, present, and future are an eternal now. But besides this, in Christ our salvation is always complete (Ephesians 2:5, 6).

III. HOW ENTIRELY FROM BEGINNING TO END THE WHOLE WORK IS ATTRIBUTED TO GOD! Man acts no part. He is merely the subject. If we turn, however, to Romans 10:14, we have another chain which also begins with God and ends in glory; but there the aspect is human. Both are important. God works by instruments, but the success of the instruments are in His hands. Both these passages require to be taken together, in order to furnish a complete account of the process of salvation. Conclusion: Do not permit yourselves to be bewildered by the deep things of God's eternal purpose and decrees. Rather seek to strike into the line of salvation at the calling of God. God calls you to believe on Christ, and if "you call upon the name of the Lord you shall be saved," and only as you make your calling sure do you make your election sure.

(P. Strutt.)

The book of God's decrees is closed against the curiosity of man. "The lion of the tribe of Judah 'only' hath prevailed to open the book and break the seven seals thereof." How then am I to know whether I am predestinated or no? Until this question be answered my heart cannot rest. The answer is that God has published that page of the sacred decree whereon the character of the predestinated is recorded in His Word: "Whom He did predestinate, them He also called." And if thou be called, it follows as a natural inference thou art predestinated. There are two kinds of callings. The first is the general call, which is given to every one that heareth the Word (Matthew; Isaiah 55:1; Proverbs 8:4); but the call of the text is personal. It is one that is heard and obeyed. Note: —

I. ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE CALL.

1. It is precisely similar to the case of Lazarus. The sinner is dead in sin. Sovereign mercy comes and cries, "Come forth!" and that man lives. "Well," cries one, "but what are the words which Christ uses when He calls a sinner from death?" Why, any words. There came unto this hall a man to whom the simple reading of the hymn, "Jesus, lover of my soul," was the means of his quickening. He said within himself, "Does Jesus love me? then I must love Him."

2. While the sinner is dead in sin, he is alive enough to oppose God, as we see in the case of Saul of Tarsus. Let Peter say, "Saul, why dost thou oppose Christ? The time shall come when thou shalt yet be His disciple," and Saul would laugh him to scorn. But when Christ dealt with him, he fell to the ground, and in a few days the persecutor becomes the preacher.

3. The effectual call may be illustrated in its sovereignty by the case of Zaccheus. There were many better men in the city than he. Why call him? Simply because the call of God comes to unworthy sinners.

4. To illustrate this call in its effects, take the case of Abraham. What a trial to Abraham's faith when he had to leave all that was so dear to him, and go he knew not whither! And yet God had a goodly land for him, and intended greatly to bless him.

5. When effectual calling comes to a man, at first he may not know it. You remember the case of Samuel, who mistook God's voice for Eli's.

II. And now as a matter of EXAMINATION let each man judge himself by certain characteristics of the calling. It is —

1. A holy Calling (2 Timothy 1:9). If you are living in sin, you are not called.

2. A high calling (Philippians 3:13, 14). Has then your calling lifted up your heart and set it upon things above?

3. A heavenly calling (Hebrews 3:1). Is thy calling a call to heaven as well as from heaven?

4. A call, not to the righteous, but to sinners.

5. A call out of darkness into God's marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9).

6. A call to liberty (Galatians 5:15).

7. A call to the fellowship of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:9).

III. CONSOLATION.

1. If I am called, then I am predestinated, there is no doubt about it. The scheme of salvation is like the chain which we see at horse-ferries, fixed into one staple on this side of the river, and into another at the other side, but the greater part of the Chain is under water. You only see it as the boat moves on, and as the chain is drawn out of the water by the force that propels the boat. I can see that part of the chain, which is named "calling," but blessed be God, that is joined to the side that is called "election," and to the side called "glorification."

2. If a man be called, he will certainly be saved at last (Romans 11:29).

(C. H. Spurgeon.)

I. THE NATURE OF THIS CALLING. There are two calls of God.

1. The outward call of the gospel. "Many are called, but few are chosen." To know how ineffectual this often is, I need only look around me. How many sat here ten, twenty, forty years ago, and here they still sit, quite unaffected (Ezekiel 33:31, 32).

2. An inward and effectual call. By this call the sinner's heart becomes softened, his mind enlightened, his will subdued. While others play about the net of the gospel, he enters into it, and is saved thereby. The outward call often brings men into the profession of Christ; the inward call always brings men into the possession of Christ. It is a call —

(1)From sin to holiness.

(2)From the world to Christ.

(3)From danger to glory.

II. THE MEANS BY WHICH THIS IS EFFECTED.

1. The operations of God's providence.(1) Everything in nature God makes to speak; the heavens declare His glory, the firmament showeth forth His handiwork.(2) Then there is the voice of conscience, and God makes this a means of effectual calling, by making it speak so loud that the man cannot resist.(3) Sometimes He employs the voice of affliction. "Hear ye the rod, and Him that hath appointed it."

2. The preaching of the gospel.

3. The influences of the Holy Spirit. Ministers knock at the door of men's hearts, but the Spirit keeps the key; and He unlocks the door and enters in.

III. THE PROPERTIES OF THIS CALLING.

1. It is a powerful call. The Turkish ambassador wished to see Mahomet the second's scimitar, by which it was said he had accomplished such wonderful exploits; when he showed it to him, he said, "I don't see anything different in it from others." And he immediately replied, "The virtue of the weapon depends upon the strength of my arm, and the wisdom and the power with which I have used it." It is precisely so with the gospel. In this call nothing less than "the arm of the Lord" will do. Must not that be mighty which conquers the proud heart, subdues the stubborn will, and enlightens the dark understanding?

2. A heavenly call (Hebrews 3:1).

3. "A high calling" (Philippians 3:14).

4. An immutable calling (Romans 11:29).Conclusion: Admire and magnify —

1. The exceeding grace of God towards you in —

(1)The freeness of this call.

(2)The honour of this call.

2. Take pains clearly to ascertain your calling. Two things certify it. He who is called of God —

(1)Responds to God's call.

(2)Is deaf to other calls. And further, shall I not say, pity such as are uncalled?

3. Those who feel you are still uncalled, see the misery of your condition. It is said that the cure is half effected when the physician or the patient knows what causes the disease.(1) Put yourselves in the way to be called. The same feet that carry you to the theatre, and to places of wretchedness, can bring you to the house of God.(2) Beg of God to call you effectually.

(J. Sherman.)

Did you ever hear of a certain Ludovic, an Italian philosopher, who had imbibed the idea of predestination to the exclusion of every other truth? He could see nothing but fate, and thought religious activity useless. A physician who attended him during his sickness, a godly man, desiring to convince him of his error, said to him as he stood by his bedside, "I shall not send you any medicine, I shall not attend to you; in fact, I shall not call any more, because if you are to live you will live, and if you are to die you will die; and therefore it is of no use my attending to you" He went his way, but in the watches of the night, Ludovic, who had been the slave of a notion, turned it over and saw the folly of it: he saw that there were other truths besides predestination, and he acted like a sane man. As God accomplishes the healing of the sick by the use of medicines, He usually accomplishes also the saving of souls by the means of grace; and as I, not knowing whether I am elected to be healed or not, yet go to the physician, so I, not knowing whether I am elect to be saved or not, yet will go to Jesus as He bids me go, and put my trust in Him, and I hope I shall be accepted in Him.

(C. H. Spurgeon.)

I. IN THIS LIFE.

1. There are three leading benefits which Christians partake of here.(1) They are all justified (Romans 8:1).(2) They are all adopted children of God (Ephesians 1:5). They are brought out of the devil's family, and made members of the blood-royal of heaven (Ephesians 3:15).(3) They are all sanctified (1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:7).

2. There are other benefits which accompany or flow from these. For these come not alone, but each of them is the opening of a treasure to the called, the striking up of a fountain, that runs out in many streams (Ephesians 1:3).(1) Reconciliation with God (Romans 5:1).(2) Access to God, as children to a Father (Ephesians 3:12). The war being ended, and peace concluded, the communication betwixt heaven and earth is opened.(3) Freedom from the slavery of sin and Satan (John 8:32).(4) A right to eternal life (Romans 8:17; Acts 20:32; 2 Corinthians 5:1).

II. IN THE LIFE TO COME. These are comprehended in one word, "glorification." At death the converted soul is received into heaven; at the last day his body will be gloriously raised, and both soul and body made perfectly happy for ever (2 Thessalonians 2:14).

III. USES.

1. Of information. This doctrine lets us see —(1) That the gospel is the best news that ever was heard in the world, and the most excellent offer that ever was made to poor sinners (Ephesians 3:8).(2) That God deals very liberally and kindly with His people that answer His call. They get much in hand, and yet far more in hope (Psalm 84:11), and they can never be shaken out of their privileges (Romans 11:29; Hebrews 12:28).(3) Whatever men lose by complying with and following the gospel-call, they are gainers (Philippians 3:8). He was a wise merchant that sold all to buy the pearl of great price.

2. Of exhortation.(1) To unconverted sinners. Comply with the gospel-call.(a) While ye do not, ye have no part or lot in these benefits. Ye are not justified; the sentence of condemnation is standing in force against you (Galatians 3:10; John 3:1.). Ye are none of God's children, but of the devil's (John 8:44). Ye are not sanctified. A form of godliness ye may have, but the power of it ye are strangers to.(b) If ye will come to Christ on His call, ye shall partake of all these benefits. If your sins were never so great and many, they shall be pardoned (Isaiah 55:7), Ye shall be the children of God through Jesus Christ (John 1:12). Ye shall be made holy (1 Corinthians 6:11).(2) To converted sinners that have answered the call. Labour to know your great privileges for time and eternity (2 Peter 1:10).

2. Be thankful for these privileges (1 John 3:1).

3. Walk worthy of the vocation, that is, humbly, holily, heavenly, contentedly, patiently, and cheerfully, in hopes of the glory that is to be revealed.

(T. Boston, D.D.)

I. JUSTIFICATION is —

1. An act of God passed upon a person needing it, consequently upon a person who could not justify himself. The guiltless need no justification; they have it already. "He justifies."

2. The result of sovereign grace. "By the works of the law shall no flesh living be justified." I cannot earn justification.

3. Has for its matter and means the righteousness of Jesus Christ, set forth in His vicarious obedience, both in life and death. Obedience alone can justify, and where can we have it but in Jesus our substitute?

4. The practical way of its application is by faith. It is not by repenting that we are justified, but by believing.

5. An instantaneous act. Sanctification needs a whole life, justification needs no appreciable time. The sinner looks to Christ, his sin is gone in a moment. Sanctification, moreover, progresses or declines; but justification is complete.

6. An infallible act. "It is God that justifieth"; where, then, can there be a mistake?

7. An irreversible act. Once justified you shall never be condemned.

8. It is generally attended with such a flood of joy, that I think you must know it, Bunyan's pilgrim did not lose the burden off his back and not know it; but as soon as it was gone, he gave three great leaps for joy, and went on his way singing.

II. GLORY. How that golden word has been debased in the coinage of human speech. It has come to mean the glitter of war's helmet, and the noise of the crowd's hurrahs. "Whom He justified, them He also glorified." They follow close together. A little stream divides them, but the apostle says nothing about it, so we will not say anything. Death is not worth thinking of, it is swallowed up in victory. There is —

1. The glory which disembodied spirits are enjoying now. The moment that the soul leaves the body, the justified soul is in glory. Romanism holds that some of the best saints go to heaven when they die; but that the great mass of inferior saints must undergo purgation. But the dying thief was no eminent saint. The only good deed that we ever read of his doing was when he claimed Christ as Lord, and rebuked his fellow-thief for slandering the Saviour. Yet, hear the words, "To-day shalt thou be with Me in paradise." Nor is this the only instance. We find, when Lazarus died, that he was carried by angels into Abraham's bosom. Stephen expected the Lord Jesus to receive his spirit, and the apostle Paul was in a strait betwixt two, being willing "to depart and to be with Christ." In Ephesians 3:15, the apostle mentions the whole family as being in heaven and earth, but he speaks of none of the Lord's people being in limbo. Those whom we are bidden to follow, in Hebrews 6:12, are now inheriting the promises. Let the voice of God decide the case for ever (Revelation 14:13). The glory of paradise was that God walked there in the cool of the evening with His creatures; and the glory of heaven is, that "they need no candle, neither light of the sun, for the Lord God giveth them light," and the days of their mourning shall be ended.

2. The resurrection glory which they will enjoy when soul and body shall be reunited. This will be a joyful meeting. Soul and body often quarrel here; but they are always loath to part, which proves how true is the wedlock between them; but what a happy meeting it will be when there will be no more jars between this husband and wife, when the soul and body shall be merged together in the perfection of union. Then, whatever may be the splendour of Christ will be the splendour of His people.

III. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN JUSTIFICATION AND GLORY.

1. A justified person has in him the bud of glory. What is glory?(1) It is a state of perfect peace. "Therefore, being justified, we have peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord."(2) It is a state of rest. "We, which have believed, do enter into rest."(3) It is a state of safety. When sin is pardoned, I am secure.(4) It is a state of nearness to God; He hath made us nigh by the blood of His Son.(5) It is communion with Christ. But we have already boldness and access through Jesus. Inside the acorn there is the whole oak, and within justification there is heaven, with all its light, life, love, joy, and security. Glory is begun below.

2. Justification is a claim to glorification. He that is right in the eye of the law, has a claim to the protection and smile of the law.

3. Justification would be but a very sorry gift of God, if it did not involve glory.

(C. H. Spurgeon.)

Paul, RomansRomeCrowned, Declared, Fore-appoint, Foreordained, Free, Glorified, Glorify, Glory, Guilt, Justified, Marked, Moreover, Named, Predestinate, Predestinated, Predestined, Pre-destined, Righteous, Righteousness1. Those who are in Christ are free from condemnation.
5. What harm comes of the flesh;
13. and what good of the Spirit.
19. The glorious deliverance the creation longs for,
29. was beforehand decreed from God.
38. Nothing can sever us from his love.

Romans 8:30

     1194   glory, divine and human
     4966   present, the

Romans 8:28-30

     1412   foreknowledge
     6620   calling
     6746   sanctification, means and results
     8410   decision-making, examples

Romans 8:28-33

     6622   choice

Romans 8:28-39

     5805   comfort
     6708   predestination

Romans 8:29-30

     5942   security
     6708   predestination
     8465   progress

Romans 8:29-39

     6639   election, to salvation

Romans 8:30-34

     6679   justification, results

December 18:
December 18th. The misgiving which will creep sometimes over the brightest faith has already received its expression and its rebuke: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" Shall these "changes in the physical state of the environment" which threaten death to the natural man, destroy the spiritual? Shall death, or life, or angels, or principalities, or powers, arrest or tamper with his eternal correspondences? …
Henry Drummond—Beautiful Thoughts

October 10. "If Ye, through the Spirit, do Mortify the Deeds of the Body, Ye Shall Live" (Rom. viii. 13).
"If ye, through the Spirit, do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live" (Rom. viii. 13). The Holy Spirit is the only one who can kill us and keep us dead. Many Christians try to do this disagreeable work themselves, and they are going through a continual crucifixion, but they can never accomplish the work permanently. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, and when you really yield yourself to the death, it is delightful to find how sweetly He can slay you. By the touch of the electric spark they …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

August 6. "As Many as are Led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God" (Rom. viii. 14).
"As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God" (Rom. viii. 14). The blessed Holy Spirit is our Guide, our Leader, and our Resting-place. There are times when He presses us forward into prayer, into service, into suffering, into new experiences, new duties, new claims of faith, and hope, and love, but there are times when He arrests us in our activity, and rests us under His overshadowing wing, and quiets us in the secret place of the Most High, teaching us some new lessons, breathing …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

October 12. "The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus Hath Made Me Free" (Rom. viii. 2).
"The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free" (Rom. viii. 2). The life of Jesus Christ brought into our heart by the Holy Spirit, operates there as a new law of divine strength and vitality, and counteracts, overcomes and lifts us above the old law of sin and death. Let us illustrate these two laws by a simple comparison. Look at my hand. By the law of gravitation it naturally falls upon the desk and lies there, attracted downward by that natural law which makes heavy bodies fall …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

November 8. "For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus Hath Made Me Free" (Rom. viii. 2).
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free" (Rom. viii. 2). There is a natural law of sin and sickness, and if we just let ourselves go and sink into the trend of circumstances we shall go down and sink under the power of the tempter. But there is another law of spiritual life and of physical life in Christ Jesus to which we can rise and through which we can counterpoise and overcome the other law that bears us down. But to do this requires real spiritual energy and fixed …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

September 27. "The Glorious Liberty of the Children of God" (Rom. viii. 21).
"The glorious liberty of the children of God" (Rom. viii. 21). Are you above self and self-pleasing in every way? Have you got above circumstances so that you are not influenced by them? Are you above sickness and the evil forces around that would drag down your physical life into the quicksands? These forces are all around, and if yielded to would quickly swamp us. God does not destroy sickness, or its power to hurt, but He lifts us above it. Are you above your feelings, moods, emotions and states? …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

October 11. "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" (Rom. viii. 27).
"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" (Rom. viii. 27). The Holy Spirit becomes to the consecrated heart the Spirit of intercession. We have two Advocates. We have an Advocate with the Father, who prays for us at God's right hand; but the Holy Spirit is the Advocate within, who prays in us, inspiring our petitions and presenting them, through Christ, to God. We need this Advocate. We know …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

October 21. "Who Shall Separate us from the Love of Christ?" (Rom. viii. 35).
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (Rom. viii. 35). And then comes the triumphant answer, after all the possible obstacles and enemies have been mentioned one by one, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through Him that loved us." Our trials will be turned to helps; our enemies will be taken prisoners and made to fight our battles. Like the weights on yonder clock, which keep it going, our very difficulties will prove incentives to faith and prayer, and occasions …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

June 1. "That the Righteousness of the Law Might be Fulfilled in Us" (Rom. viii. 4).
"That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us" (Rom. viii. 4). Beloved friends, do you know the mistake some of you are making? Some of you say: "It is not possible for me to be good; no man ever was perfect, and it is no use for me to try." That is the mistake many of you are making. I agree with the first sentence, "No man ever was perfect"; but I don't agree with the second, "There is no use trying." There is a divine righteousness that we may have. I don't mean merely that which …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

October 13. "The Carnal Mind is Enmity against God" (Rom. viii. 7).
"The carnal mind is enmity against God" (Rom. viii. 7). The flesh is incurably bad. "It is not subject to the law of God, neither, indeed, can be." It never can be any better. It is no use trying to improve the flesh. You may educate it all you please. You may train it by the most approved methods, you may set before it the brightest examples, you may pipe to it or mourn to it, treat it with encouragement or severity; its nature will always be incorrigibly the same. Like the wild hawk which the little …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

August 4. "Ye are not in the Flesh but in the Spirit if So be that the Spirit of God Dwell in You. Now if any Man have not the Spirit of Christ He is None of His" (Rom. viii. 9).
"Ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of His" (Rom. viii. 9). A spiritual man is not so much a man possessing a strong spiritual character as a man filled with the Holy Spirit. So the apostle said: "Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you." The glory of the new creation, then, is not only that it recreates the human spirit, but that it fits …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Fourth Sunday after Trinity Consolation in Suffering, and Patience.
Text: Romans 8, 18-22. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to vanity not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Fourth Sunday after Trinity Redemption of the Creatures.
Second Sermon. Text: Romans 8, 18-22. REDEMPTION OF THE CREATURES. 1. We have heard how Paul comforts the Christians in their sufferings, pointing them to the future inconceivable and eternal glory to be revealed in us in the world to come; and how he has, for our greater consolation, reminded us that the whole creation as one being suffers in company with the Christian Church. We have noted how he sees, with the clear, keen eye of an apostle, the holy cross in every creature. He brings out this …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Eighth Sunday after Trinity Living in the Spirit as God's Children.
Text: Romans 8, 12-17. 12 So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: 13 for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Accusers Challenged
Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God who justifies. T hough the collating of manuscripts and various readings has undoubtedly been of use in rectifying some mistakes which, through the inadvertency of transcribers, had crept into different copies of the New Testament, yet such supposed corrections of the text ought to be admitted with caution, and not unless supported by strong reasons and authorities. The whole Scripture is given by inspiration of God: and they who thankfully …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Intercession of Christ
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! T he Redemption of the soul is precious. Fools make mock of sin (Proverbs 14:9) . But they will not think lightly of it, who duly consider the majesty, authority, and goodness of Him, against whom it is committed; and who are taught, by what God actually has done, what sin rendered necessary to be done, before a sinner could have a well-grounded …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Triumph Over Death and the Grave
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin: and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. T he Christian soldier may with the greatest propriety, be said to war a good warfare (I Timothy 1:18) . He is engaged in a good cause. He fights under the eye of the Captain of his salvation. Though he be weak in himself, and though his enemies are many and mighty, he may do that which in other soldiers …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

August the Twenty-Fifth Impotent Enemies
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" --ROMANS viii. 31-39. Who can get between the love of Christ and me? What sharp dividing minister can cleave the two in twain, and leave me like a dismembered and dying branch? Terrible experiences cannot do it. "Tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword!" All these may come about my house, but they cannot reach the inner sanctuary where my Lord and I are closeted in loving communion and peace. They may bruise my skin, …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

May the Twenty-Eighth the Sons of God
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God." --ROMANS viii. 9-17. And how unspeakably wealthy are the implications of the great word! If a son, then what holy freedom is mine! Mine is not "the spirit of bondage." The son has "the run of the house." That is the great contrast between lodgings and home. And I am to be at home with the Lord. And if a son, then heir! "All things are yours." Samuel Rutherford used to counsel his friends to "take a turn" round their estate. …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Sons and Heirs
'If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.'--ROMANS viii. 17. God Himself is His greatest gift. The loftiest blessing which we can receive is that we should be heirs, possessors of God. There is a sublime and wonderful mutual possession of which Scripture speaks much wherein the Lord is the inheritance of Israel, and Israel is the inheritance of the Lord. 'The Lord hath taken you to be to Him a people of inheritance,' says Moses; 'Ye are a people for a possession,' says …
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Suffering with Christ, a Condition of Glory with Christ
'...Joint heirs with Christ: if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.'--ROMANS viii. 17. In the former part of this verse the Apostle tells us that in order to be heirs of God, we must become sons through and joint-heirs with Christ. He seems at first sight to add in these words of our text another condition to those already specified, namely, that of suffering with Christ. Now, of course, whatever may be the operation of suffering in fitting for the possession of …
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Witness of the Spirit
'The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.'--ROMANS viii. 18. The sin of the world is a false confidence, a careless, complacent taking for granted that a man is a Christian when he is not. The fault, and sorrow, and weakness of the Church is a false diffidence, an anxious fear whether a man be a Christian when he is. There are none so far away from false confidence as those who tremble lest they be cherishing it. There are none so inextricably caught in …
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Revelation of Sons
'For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.'--ROMANS viii. 19. The Apostle has been describing believers as 'sons' and 'heirs.' He drops from these transcendent heights to contrast their present apparent condition with their true character and their future glory. The sad realities of suffering darken his lofty hopes, even although these sad realities are to his faith tokens of joint-heirship with Jesus, and pledges that if our inheritance is here …
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

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