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The Holy Spirit – Prayer, Providence, & God’s Will – Romans 8:31-39
Last time we looked at how Christians are the temple of the Holy Spirit, but the question is, “what does He do?” The Bible speaks about the involvement in the Christian’s life.
Opening Question — Get Us Thinking:
After reading Romans 8, what do you learn about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? What do we learn about ourselves?
"The intent of this lesson is to examine three areas of Godhead's will. Special consideration will be given to prayer and to His providence as they relate to His will. As we examine these areas, keep in mind the role of the Spirit in all of the things discussed.
What are some areas of God’s will? God's will may be divided into at least three categories or areas of emphasis. God's planned or deliberate will refers to His selecting a specific goal or result and then working directly to bring about the result He wants. The permissive or circumstantial will refers to what God "allows" to happen within the natural order which He has established. The ultimate or eternal will refers to how things will be in the end-righteousness will be rewarded and sin punished. We will come back to this later in the study.
Research Questions — “Dig Deeper” to find God’s Word & Will.
The main text we will look at is Romans 8 —What is the context of Romans 8? It has been called the "high water mark" of New Testament study. Paul begins the book of Romans by discussing sin; the sin of the Gentiles (1:18-32), the sin of the Jews (2:1-29), the sins of both Gentiles and Jews (3:1-23). He then reveals how God has chosen to make sinful people to be righteous — through the merit of Jesus (3:24-5:21). Those redeemed by the blood of Jesus are to grow into His likeness (chapters 6-7) the Spirit helped us with moral help. This means to grow more and more away from the world and more and more into the heart and lifestyle of Jesus. This process is known as sanctification, a process of growth in Jesus. After Paul discusses sin, righteousness, and sanctification, he discusses "life in the Spirit" (8:1-39). In Romans 8, Paul declares that those in Christ truly are victorious. We have victory over sin (8:1-3). Victory comes by the power of the indwelling Spirit (8:9). Victory is ours because we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus (8:15-17). Christians are victorious because of assisted prayer (8:26). God provides victory through His providence (8:28). Final victory is assured (8:37-39). It is in this context of victory that Paul discusses the Spirit's intercessory work (8:26-27).
In Romans 8:1-39 The Holy Spirit Helps Us...
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... making us free from the law of sin and death, giving us victory (1-2)
The Holy Spirit does, because of no other spirit could it be said that such is the Spirit of life.
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... when we are spiritually minded (3-7)
The Spirit empowers Christians for a faithful and full life. He promises life and peace. To be walking in obedience to the Spirit of Christ. This gives life to the soul, maintains a vital union with Christ, and brings peace, or conscious enjoyment of the grace of God.
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... when He dwells in us, giving us victory (8-10)
Our spirit is made alive by union with Christ, and partaking of his righteousness.
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... put to death the deeds of the body and giving us a victorious life (11-13)
The Spirit will raise the Christian’s body. The Holy Spirit in us is a pledge that God will raise us, even as Christ was raised from the tomb. Though the body be doomed to death "because of sin," it shall be "quickened" for those who have God's Spirit dwelling in them. Even our mortal bodies shall be raised, not in corruption, but in incorruptible (1 Corinthians 15:42-44).
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… by leading us (14)
We as the created, desire for the Creator to lead us in right paths. Interestingly, Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted. While there needs to be much study on that at another time, let us be reminded that the Holy Spirit leads the Christian to a deeper spiritual life just as He leads the sinner to salvation by the Word of God.
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... when we receive the adoption of sons unto hope (15-25)
In deciding whether we are children of God, we have two witnesses: first, the Spirit himself, and second, our spirit. The Spirit testifies as to who is a child of God; our spirits testify as to what we are. If our spirits testify that we are the character which the Spirit says belongs to a child of God, then we have the testimony of the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirits that we are children of God.
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... pray by interceding from our suffering heart and giving victorious hope (26-27)
What does the Spirit do in worship and the prayer process? Paul begins these verses by saying that the "Spirit helps our weaknesses" An honest person realizes that he or she has weaknesses. God promises help. Paul goes on to say that "we do not know how to pray as we should." Not only do we have weaknesses, we have a lack of knowledge. We do not always know "how" to pray and "for what or whom" to pray. "But the Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." The latter part of verse 26 clearly states that the Holy Spirit Himself intercedes on our behalf. The feelings that we may be unable to express, the Spirit understands, and takes these on our behalf before the throne of God. In heights of joy or in depths of sorrow, feelings come which cannot be verbalized. "He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." What a tremendous promise! The Spirit helps our weaknesses, assists in our lack of knowledge, and expresses our deepest feelings before the throne of God. He does all of this "according to the will of God" (8:27).
Prayer to God involves all three personalities of the Godhead. Petitions are addressed to the Father (Matthew 6:9) through one mediator, Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5), and by the assistance of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26).
The word mediator (mesites) means "a go-between." "For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5). There is only one who is qualified to "go between" deity and humanity—Jesus, who is both God and man (Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 4:15-16). He is also the one who is mediator of the New Testament covenant of grace (Hebrews 12:24).
Intercessor (enteuxis) means a "meeting with; a conversation; a petition" (1 Timothy 2:1; 4:5). The work of the Spirit in prayer is what I want to note especially. Prayer is a vital part of the will of God. Jesus is shown praying many times in scripture (John 17:1-26; Matthew 14:23; 26:39). Certainly the followers of Jesus must pray often. The Spirit assists the Christian in this relationship. One of the ways the Spirit assists is by teaching "how" we should pray. The Spirit then strengthens our inner being (Ephesians 3:16). He further intercedes personally for us (Romans 8:26). Prayer and God's will go together. The Spirit plays an important role in this relationship.
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... with victorious assurance that nothing separates us from the love of God (28-39)
Providence, we will talk more about this later. How this comes about is usually a mystery, but it does occur. It doesn’t always work out as we wish, but it does serve us according to the Lord’s purpose — and that should be enough for the Christian.
Now come back to God’s will, what are some of the areas to consider? Many examples of God's planned / deliberate will are found in scripture. What are some examples of God’s planned will? The eternal purpose which God had to save mankind is one example (Ephesians 1:3-11). God selected the goal of saving mankind, and He worked directly to bring about that desired end: the blood sacrifice of His Son to redeem us all and the establishment of the New Testament church (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 3:10-11). Punishment for the people of God by means of captivity is another illustration of God's planned or deliberate will. Israel went into Assyrian captivity. Judah went to Babylon. Judgment upon nations other than Israel is God's will (Jeremiah 25:12). That God selected individuals such as Abraham, Moses, Joseph, David, Paul, and Jesus illustrates His having specific goals in mind and working to bring these about. Also, God's chastening of His children is another example of His will (Hebrews 12:6).
In all of these instances, the Holy Spirit was active. God is still active. However, we must be careful in making judgments as to whether or not events or circumstances happened by God's deliberate will.
God's permissive / circumstantial will, what He allows to happen within the natural order of things, covers a large area. What things fit into God’s permissive will? The question "Why do bad things happen to good people?" could be discussed here. God has placed man on earth under "natural law." Therefore, many things happen that are a part of that framework. Also, God has given us freedom of choice. Sometimes choices are made that bring about pain. This is not God's fault. In His original creation He did not intend for pain to happen. But after The Fall, pain and suffering became a part of the natural order of things. Thus, God allows a variety of trials to come to His children: "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials" (James 1:2). Scripture says that the trials work for good if we will allow them. God does not delight in the trial, but He does smile at the result. Some things happen by the power of the devil. Peter says, "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Paul declares that the devil transforms himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14).
Natural law, human choice, trials, and influences from the devil are four illustrations of what God allows. Use these to answer the question "Why do bad things happen to good people?" We may not fully understand some things which happen, but if we will stay with God, all things will work out for our good (Romans 8:28). This leads us to the next area.
God's ultimate / eternal will refers to how things will turn out in the end — the result in eternity. Two principles promised by God throughout scripture are that righteousness will be rewarded and sin will be punished. Things do not always turn out the way we would like. They will, however, some day. Good people, at times, seem not to be blessed. They will be eternally. Evil people seem not to be punished. They will be some day. There will be "pay day, some day." God is paying attention to what is going on. The challenge is to leave to God the areas of responsibility which are rightfully His. This frees us to make sure that we personally are "walking in the light as He is in the light" (1 John 1:7-9).
What about the Godhead and providence? The Greek (pronoia) translates to "forethought." It is the word from which we get the words provide, provision. and providence. An extended meaning of "pronoia" is "to look forward; to look after, to make ready." A general meaning would be "God's abundant provisions for life in Him."
What is the relationship between the Spirit and providence? The Spirit has a direct relationship with God's provisions. All of the provisions fit within the framework of His will. The following relationships to the Spirit are revealed in scripture.
The Psalmist asks the following question: "Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from thy presence?" (Psalms 139:7). The answer is that God's Spirit is everywhere. Answered prayer is connected with the Spirit in providence. "For I hope that through your prayers I shall be given to you" (Philemon 22). "And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up" (James 5:15). The Spirit is connected with providence in "giving life to our mortal bodies." "But 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 indwells you" (Romans 8:11). Paul urged the Ephesians, "Do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18). "To be filled with" means "to be under the influence of the Spirit. God provides for living above the "dissipation" of the world through the influence of the Spirit. The fruit that comes as a result of the Spirit's influence in a believer is mentioned by Paul in the Galatian letter. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). He admonishes them in regard to the Spirit: "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another" (Galatians 5:25-26).
Are there additional areas of the Spirit's activity in providence? Yes — fellowship, sanctification, and invitation. God is at work in these areas today. The Spirit is an important part of that work. May we give Him due credit.
First, in regard to fellowship, Paul urges the Philippians to unity by writing, "If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind" (Philippians 2:1-2). Second, the process of growth in Christ known as sanctification is directly associated with the Spirit. "But if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live" (Romans 8:13). Peter addressed the aliens of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia by saying, "Who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:1-2). Finally, in the last chapter of the Bible, the Spirit invites us to come to Jesus: "And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come'" (Revelation 22:17).
In Summary, Why do bad things happen to good people? We may never (in this life) be satisfied completely with answers to some specific situations. It will help tremendously if we understand the "three areas" of God's will. Observe caution when calling any current event an act of God's "deliberate" will.
How do prayer and providence fit into the will of God? The Holy Spirit is active today. He indwells the Christian. Prayer is a very significant part of God's will. The Spirit makes intercession for us continually. The Spirit is active in providence. May the following verse from the "Lord's Prayer" be our compass: "Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10).
Reflective Questions for a Response — Live it today.
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The Holy Spirit is alive in you, transforming and sanctifying you. What does this mean to you?
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I will... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this study? How will you apply it to your life this week?
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How does this equip us to be better disciples and help empower us to “make disciples”?
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You can... Who do you know who needs to hear this?
The whole passage illustrates in even a startling manner the truth and reality of the ‘coming’ of the Holy Spirit to help us.
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