Living With Confidence From Romans 8Sample

The highs and the lows of sport have become part and parcel of our experience.Whilst being opposite experiences, sports people are taught to take them and package them up to create a better future.

“Experience the highs and let that euphoric feeling of achievement, success or performance become the drug you crave.” We’re told.

“When you hit rock bottom, through failure, dropped from the squad, disapproval from the coach then fuel those moments to propel you to better things.” We’re told to bottle up that feeling of disappointment and use it to fuel us.

Use the highs and the lows to become the best competitor you can be and Paul nuances this ideology.

Today, we’ll see how we can be confident in our faith in the tougher times. Paul is suggesting that with the help of the Spirit we can look upon weakness, suffering and adversity through the lens of a changed status and live a transformed life.

Last time we read that those who believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins have been made children of God and co-heirs with Christ. This is their new, irreversible status. It has been won for them by God, through Jesus and brought about by the transforming work of the Spirit.

Now we’re fully equipped to live in the time and the place where God has called us to be amidst suffering, adversity and weakness.

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)

Paul goes on to say that the whole of creation is in bondage to decay and is groaning like a woman in childbirth. Things are not how they were designed. Sin has spoilt everything and we know that all too well in our sport.

Now, Christians know that the punishment for sin has been paid for, but the effects of sin are still ever present.

In this context of suffering and weakness (verse 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.) the Spirit is our enabler and empowers us to endure.

Think about that within your sport today. There is not a situation that the Spirit cannot help you in: to endure, and in time to overcome.

More than that, Paul states that we must trust that in all things, God is working for our good.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

That promise is in the highs and the lows of sport.

To have my confidence set on the truth that God is working for my good in ALL situations is truly a wonderful thing.

And what is our good? We see in verse 29 it is to be conformed in the image of Jesus. To be made more like Christ.

That’s on the sub bench when disappointment overwhelms. It’s in the dressing room when ridiculed for faith. It’s on the medical table entering the third week of injury. God is using ALL things for our good, to ultimately make us like Jesus.

This doesn’t mean we need to be stoic or robotic in these tougher times. The lows of sport and life bring heartache and pain but the Christian’s confidence is not in “better days” or “a chance things will come right”. No! It’s in the truth that even in the hardest moments God is working for our good, by his Spirit in our hearts, to make us more like the Lord Jesus.

Hold tightly to this truth this Game Day and don’t let go.

Prayer

Dear Lord.

Thank you that you are always working for my good - to make me more like the Lord Jesus.

Please help me today, especially in the tougher moments, to remember this truth and seek your face.

In your name.

Amen