Romans 8:16-20

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it.

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When we repent, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us. And the Holy Spirit makes us clearly realize the fact that we are living as children of God.

Even when we commit a small sin, the Holy Spirit rebukes that sin and urges us to repent. However, when we do not repent even after sinning, the peace of the Lord disappears from our hearts and anxiety sets in.

At that moment, if we repent again, the Lord’s peace is restored, and tangled problems begin to untangle.

When we read the Bible, the Holy Spirit enables us to rightly understand the meaning of His word. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit broadens our hearts to yield to our neighbors and bring about harmony. The reason we are able to forgive our neighbors is also that the Holy Spirit pours a forgiving heart into us.

When we are guided by the Holy Spirit, we gain assurance of heaven and become filled with the hope of eternal life. Therefore, even suffering on this earth for the sake of the Lord turns into joy. We come to firmly believe the fact that the sufferings of this earth can never be compared with the glory we will receive in the future.

The Holy Spirit causes us to believe the promise that Jesus will come again and take us to heaven. Thus, He holds onto us so that our hearts are not stolen by the things of the world.

The human flesh and everything in the world grow old and decay. However, our souls are renewed day by day. The Holy Spirit makes us realize this truth, enabling us to overcome the world.

That all creation grows old and decays is not because the creation itself desires it. It is because God has ordained it so. The reason is to prevent us from putting our hope in worldly things, and instead, to make us place our hope in heaven, having been saved from sin.

The purpose of our living on this earth is to go to heaven. Therefore, through all the things of the world, we must realize the Lord’s living presence and His working, repent of our sins, obey the word of God, and firmly hold onto the hope of heaven.

Those who live for worldly things will all be destroyed when the Lord comes again.

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Romans 8:21-25

Because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

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God created human beings as the head of all creation. However, when humans fell, death did not come to humans alone; all creation also grew old, decayed, and was placed under the agony of death.

Human sin brought destruction upon humans themselves, grieved the heart of God, and caused even the natural creation to suffer.

However, when humans realize their sins, repent, and receive salvation, all nature rejoices together. When a drought occurs, if humans realize their sins and repent, the Lord sends a sweet rain so that crops grow well, and the mountains, rivers, plants, and trees rejoice and dance together.

Yet, recovery on this earth is not yet a perfect restoration. Only when we put on a new resurrected body and enter heaven is complete salvation finally achieved.

In heaven, saved humans, all of nature, and every creation will eternally enjoy the peace, freedom, and happiness given by the Lord. Therefore, even the natural creation is eagerly waiting for the children of God to reach complete salvation.

Those who live bearing the fruit of the Spirit on this earth still live amidst groaning. While the saved soul is walking toward heaven, our flesh, which contains that soul, still suffers within the temptations of sin.

Nevertheless, looking forward to the eternal happiness we will enjoy in heaven in the future, we live day by day by faith on this earth.

The things seen in the world can never be our true hope. For everything in the world eventually grows old, decays, and vanishes.

Living eternally in heaven, where there is no death or curse, by obtaining new life—this alone is the perfect hope we must look upon.

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Romans 8:26-30

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

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The Holy Spirit helps human weakness and guides us to the path of life. Even those who believe in God sometimes do not know what they should pray for. However, the Holy Spirit helps those who love God realize the grace of salvation in Jesus Christ, points out our sins, and leads us to salvation by causing us to repent.

The Holy Spirit guides those who love God. It is not that a person believes in Jesus because God predetermined that specific person beforehand. When the Lord extends grace to all people, He chooses those who realize that grace, love God, and believe, and the Holy Spirit guides them to the path of life.

Before Jacob and Esau were born into the world, God knew in advance what attitude they would take in the future. Jacob loved God, and Esau distanced himself from God. Although the two were born under the same conditions, each chose a different path. They chose their own paths by themselves; it was not that God ordained them to do so.

The sins humans committed in the past and present are evil, and the sins they will commit in the future are also evil. Therefore, we must always pray to the Lord so that we do not commit sins in the future. When the Lord helps, we can avoid sin. However, if we lead a life of faith without prayer, we will live according to the lusts of the flesh and ultimately be destroyed.

Jesus knew in advance that Judas Iscariot would betray Him. Therefore, the Lord warned him several times to stop his sin. However, he ignored Jesus’ words and handed Jesus over to the Jews in exchange for money.

It is not that humans believe in God because He predetermined it. When God bestows fair grace upon all people, He gives faith, sends the Holy Spirit, and guides to heaven those who realize that grace, believe in God, and follow Him.

Therefore, the human doctrine that "a person can only believe in Jesus if God has predetermined it" does not align with the Bible. The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit guides those who realize God’s grace, repent, and follow the Lord in faith to the path of life.

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Romans 8:31-34

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

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God the Creator came into this world clothed in human flesh. The God who came into the world is none other than Jesus Christ. Jesus bore the sins of mankind and died on the cross. Jesus shed His precious blood to redeem humanity's sins.

Therefore, whoever believes in Jesus and repents receives forgiveness of sins and obtains salvation. No one can snatch this salvation away, because there is no being greater than God the Creator.

Who would dare to condemn those who have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ? Who can bring a charge against those chosen by the Lord? That is absolutely impossible.

Romans 8:38-39

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Neither demise nor death can harm the Lord’s love and salvation. Neither angels nor worldly rulers can block it, and nothing in the present or the future can cut off those who are in Christ Jesus from the Lord.

However, we must read this Bible verse very carefully. This salvation and protection are promises given to those who abide in Christ Jesus. It never applies to those who are outside of Christ Jesus.

Those who repent of all sins and strive to obey the Lord’s word are the ones who abide in the love of Jesus. Such individuals receive the protection and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

However, those who disobey and do not repent are practicing their faith outside of Christ. This kind of fake faith cannot receive the protection and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

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Romans 9:25-28

As He says also in Hosea: "I will call them My people, who were not My people, and her beloved, who was not beloved." "And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not My people,' there they shall be called sons of the living God." Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, the remnant will be saved. For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth."

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Jesus died on the cross and rose again. The death of Jesus was an event that redeemed the sins of all mankind. From that time on, the gospel began to be proclaimed to the whole world, and anyone who confesses Jesus as Lord and repents receives salvation.

The redeeming blood of Jesus cleanses away the sins of those who repent. In the Old Testament era, Gentiles were not called the people of God, but after Jesus shed His redeeming blood, the way was opened for anyone among all nations of the world to become a child of God by believing in Jesus Christ as Savior and repenting.

Because all human deeds are imperfect, no one can reach salvation through human righteous acts alone. Salvation is obtained solely by believing in Jesus Christ and repenting of sins. True repentance is the fruit of a living faith.

Acts 11:18

When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life."

Now, not only the Gentiles but also the people of Israel no longer rely on the Old Testament sacrificial system, but receive salvation solely by believing in the blood of Jesus and repenting. After Jesus died and rose again, the way to serve God was completed.

The sacrificial system of the Old Testament era was a shadow showing in advance that Jesus would come into the world, die on the cross, and redeem the sins of humanity. Offering countless animals as sacrifices symbolized that Jesus would eventually be sacrificed for mankind. The Old Testament sacrifices foreshadowed the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

However, even though the New Testament era arrived, many people of Israel failed to understand God’s will and remained in a life of disobedience without repentance. As a result, countless descendants of Israel defied God’s will and went down the path of destruction. Among them, only a remnant repents according to the word of God and obtains salvation. The prophet Isaiah foresaw this and prophesied about it.

Those who do not hold onto human doctrines and self-righteousness, but abide in the will of God until the end, will be saved. Even if the number of the people of Israel and churchgoers is as numerous as the sand of the sea, those among them who obey the word of God and repent of their sins will be recognized by God as the remnant and gain salvation.

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Romans 9:31-33

"What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone. As it is written: 'Behold, I lay in Zion a stumblingstone and rock of offense, and whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.'"

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Gentiles who did not believe in God heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and became righteous through repentance. This is being justified by faith, not by works.

However, the people of Israel, who held the law and zealously offered sacrifices, failed to attain the righteousness of God. They tried to obtain salvation by relying on visible sacrificial acts rather than faith. This is not true faith.

True faith is that which cleanly transforms the heart and life. One must realize their sins through the law, truly repent, and bear the fruit of love.

The fruit of love is forgiving neighbors, discarding evil thoughts, loving one another, and achieving harmony.

Neither Jew nor Gentile, nor any human being, can be saved by keeping the law perfectly. Because all humans are fallen, they cannot completely keep the law.

Yet, God’s law must absolutely be among us. This is because the law makes us realize our sins and guides us to proper repentance, serving as the standard that makes us righteous. The law is the absolute standard for true repentance.

If there were no law, people would not realize their sins, would settle for a sham repentance, and ultimately fail to reach heaven.

With Jesus dying on the cross, the sacrificial laws and Sabbath regulations of the Old Testament era were abolished. However, God’s will to love God and one’s neighbor has not changed.

The commandment of love given by Jesus is the law that the people of God must keep in the New Testament era. Believe in the blood of Jesus and repent. And love God and your neighbor.

Discarding idols is loving God, and forgiving the faults of neighbors and loving one another is a life of obedience to God. Do not do evil to neighbors, but live with good words and good deeds.

A person who merely attends church zealously without a life of repentance and obedience cannot become righteous.

This is identical to the appearance of the people of Israel in the Old Testament era, who were destroyed after zealously offering sacrifices merely to show off to people, while refusing to obey God’s word and repent.

In any era, one cannot become righteous before God through hypocritical religious acts. It is only through true faith accompanied by repentance and obedience that one becomes righteous and reaches salvation.