Finally, Paul gives us the key to the endless cycle of law and death that we humans and our weak bodies cannot unlock. The answer is not blowing in the wind, 42 or found by looking inside ourselves. God sent his own son, in our likeness, to save us. Driven by only our earthly desires, we war with God, nature and our fellow humans, but with the Holy Spirit we can experience life, wholeness and peace.
“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:11
Under the law, our sin created a debt that enslaved us, but Christ is not only setting us free, and giving us life, but he is bringing us into the family of God with himself. Paul addresses his readers as fellow siblings. We don’t have to look God as our jailer that we owe a debt to, but as our Dad. As adoptive children of God by the Spirit, we are co-heirs with Christ, yet we also suffer in this present age.
Our present suffering is nothing compared to the glory to be revealed. God has promised to save all of creation from the bondage of corruption that we currently dwell under. Like the pains of childbirth are extreme, they are also temporary, leading to new life. Similarly, we are going through temporary, but intense difficulties in order to experience new life. Between our present suffering and our future glory—we have hope to sustain us.
Additionally, we have the Holy Spirit that lives inside us that prays for us and through us with wisdom beyond ourselves, according to the will of God. And for those who love God and are called according to his purpose, he works all things together for good.
It was always God‘s intention to remake us in the image of Christ so that we could be brought back into the family that we rebelled against. God never wanted us to be separate, so he planned to redeem us. He sent Jesus to save us. He gives us his spirit and eternal life and offers us a share in the inheritance of Christ.
Paul wraps up by asking, if God is for us, then who can be against? He is showing us that we don’t need to be afraid because we already have everything we need and more. The opinion of God is the only one that counts, and through Christ, he has forgiven us so we don’t need to worry about the judgment or condemnation of others. We are still living in this world with tribulations and famine and wars and sorrow, but nothing and no one can separate us from the love of God through Christ Jesus.
