New Testament | Romans 8:7-17 (with Nick Locke)

Opening Song:
Romans 8 by Daniel Martinez, Jami Garcia, Jonathan Osteen, Luis Garcia, and Tauren Wells

Lyrics:
From before time began
You have held us within Your hands
And even now we believe
That Your love's still all we need
To the end of the age
God Your promise will never change
And even here it rings true
Every mountain bows to you

There's no distance too great
That could separate us from God
There's no trial we face
That could separate us from God
Oh nothing can separate us from God

You've been close through it all
Making ways where there once stood walls
And even now we know this truth
You're working all things for our good

He's walked with us through fire
He's silenced every lie
That's why we can depend
On all His promises
No power can deny
Our savior Jesus Christ
That's why we can depend
On all His promises

Passage:
7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus[a] from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Heirs with Christ
12 So then, brothers,[b] we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons[c] of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Musical Reflection:
Bless the Lord, My Soul by Jacques Berthier

Reflection Notes:
A contribution to the Taizé tradition, this tune by Berthier provides a reverent foundation for the text: “Bless the Lord, my soul, and bless God’s holy name. Bless the Lord, my soul, who leads me into life.”

Prayer:
Let your merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of your humble servants; and, that we may receive what we ask, teach us by your Holy Spirit to ask only those things that are pleasing to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the same Spirit lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.