intercession for us. Romans 8:28, an oft quoted verse, even speaks of this. Notice also the provision in giv ing us the power to overcome sin (8:2). Christ died for us making it possible for the Holy Spirit to dwell in our lives, enabling us to live vic toriously. Our flesh is weak. There is no possible way we can keep the law. Yet, the Holy Spirit puts a de sire for righteousness within our hearts. This is the same power that raised Christ from the dead (8:11- 13). Do you remember the Candid Camera program? On one a wo man was driving a car which had to coast downhill to a service station. It had been fixed up with the motor taken out. The wo man acted oblivious when the at tendant pointed out that he could not find the engine anywhere. He was shocked and frustratingly ob served, "Lady, you have no motor!" This is what every person in the world has to be convinced of. Apart from Christ we have no mo tor and nothing to give us power to live a life pleasing to God. It is the Spirit of adoption into the Father's family (vs. 15). Let us nev er forget the Holy Spirit's ministry in and through our lives (vs. 26, 27). He is there to help "our in firmities." All of us experience dif ficulties and trials. Yet there is a power within that enables us to see us through these testings (I John 4:4). The basis of assurance comes from a mutual accord. "The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God" (vs. 16). We should now have the desire to praise the Lord. God has announced exciting plans for a bright future (vs. 18). How can even the most pro
nounced sufferings of this present time even begin to be worthy of comparison with the glory which shall be revealed in us? There is coming a day when, as sons of God, we will receive our glorious resurrection bodies. It will be clear ly evident that it paid to cast your lot on the side of the Lord. The whole creation is awaiting that day. The recent earthquake here in California made a number of peo ple very frightened. One family I heard of, who had their home ruined by the disaster, decided to move to Florida. A short time la ter, a tornado hit their trailer and completely destroyed it. Who can escape the results of the curse of sin in this world? Yet, we know there is a better day ahead. God is going to bring all chaos into or der. Christ is going to remove the curse. There will be a whole new world made by Him. We look to the very nature of God for our assurance. He has set His eternal love on us and nothing can take it away (vs. 35). This ought to be a challenge to every person to accept Christ as Saviour. It ought to be a reason to give the believer courage so that he may face difficult circumstances trium phantly. It ought to be cause for each of us to weigh carefully the values of life, investing our time, talent and tithes only in what is eternally worthwhile. HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE There is an interesting paren thetic portion in the ninth to the eleventh chapters of Romans. We see God's miraculous dealings with the Jews, His chosen people. The Lord has graciously stretched forth His hands in invitation, desiring Page 33
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