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by Howard Watson
The chord of rejoicing in 7:25 ties in with verse
one of chapter eight. Through Christ Jesus there is presently no
condemnation ("katakrima" Gk. from "katakrino"meaning
to be condemned, to give judgment against) of the law's demand upon
those who have been placed into Christ Jesus. Because of the new
birth of the Holy Spirit into Christ, we are no longer condemned
in our sin, but set free to live according to the Holy Spirit's
rule in our lives. This is a pure rule of love's demand which in
turn fulfills the law to love your brother and neighbor as yourself.
Paul contrasts the old life of living according to our fleshly carnal
nature with our new life of walking in the Spirit's control. Our
mental thoughts ("phronousin" Gk. from "phroneo"
meaning to think, frame of mind/thought) spring from the love "agape"
of God which has been poured out into our hearts. The thoughts of
the Spirit are life and peace. We have true life in peace with God,
Christ Jesus, and others in our hearts/beings. We now truly please
God in our life's works. Note verses eleven through seventeen.
We have peace in our hearts and with God our Father (we cry "ABBA"
father/daddy). See verse fifteen. Yet there is a suffering "pathemata"
in the world as we are disciplined into Christlikeness, and buffeted.
God wills for us to be like Him in nature of character and purity.
See II Peter, chapter one. We have received witness of the sufferings
of Jesus Christ in His life in this world, therefore, we can count/reckon
"logizomai" ourselves to be like and with Christ in His
sufferings while doing the will of His Father. See verse eighteen
and following.
Glory in Christ Jesus lies ahead as we stand in Christ our Lord,
for God in all His wondrous power and love "agape," is
for us and He will see us through our fleshly sufferings in this
world. If God is for us, who can be against us except Satan. See
verse thirty-one and following.
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