Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 27, 2022: SOAP #4558: Proverbs 4-6; Romans 8

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 8:3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so, he condemned sin in sinful man, 4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

OBSERVATION: Paul wrote the book of Romans to people he had not yet visited.  So, he presents an over-all view of the believer’s life.  He covers the Holy God’s judgment on sin.  He covers being justified by the sacrifice of Jesus.  Now that his readers are justified, here in chapter 8, Paul tells them how they are to be living now. 

With the life of the Spirit of God in us, we live in dependency on the Holy Spirit.  Paul tells us how to think (vs. 5).  He tells us to glorify God with our body (vs. 11).  Paul tells us to live as children of God (vs. 14-17). 

We can live this way because we do not need to worry about our past sins.  The righteous requirements of the law have been “fully met” in us!!!

APPLICATION: In a desire to include more people, many organizations have lowered their standards.  They have lowered their requirements to belong.  God also desires to include people in His kingdom.  He wants to include everyone.  He wants us to meet His standards.  But God does not lower His standards to a level I can meet.  NO!  But through the death of Jesus to pay for my sins and the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life, He raises me to meet His standards!!! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, as a Holy God you did not lower your standards to include me, but as a Loving God, you raised me to “fully meet” your standards!  My eyes fill with tears as my heart overflows with gratitude!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon