Reflection on Romans 8:27-28
Rom 8:27 “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.”
The power of God working through prayer is conditioned by the working of the Spirit of God. Therefore every Christian must not only receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit like the Apostles on the day of Pentecost but also allow His power to work in him and to make him a true witness of Christ. This is what Jesus Himself desires (cf. Acts 1:8). A true witness of Christ must be a prophet, a seer, at the same time. Besides God’s prophets there have always been false prophets too (today liberal theologians). These false prophets are bearers of the spirit of lies. Old- and New-Testament prophets were bearers of the Spirit of God, the Spirit of truth, who worked in them especially in their personal prayer. For instance, the Prophet Ezekiel prophesies in prayer over the people of Israel in the Babylonian captivity. He cries to the Lord for the sake of His people. In such prayer, the Spirit makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Verse 26: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness … the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” also refers to the prayer of the Spirit, or prophetic prayer. Even Christ Himself, when He cried out “I thirst” and “Eloi, Eloi” (My God, My God), struggled for the fulfilment of God’s will, that means, for the victory over sin and the devil and for our deliverance from bondage. Both the Holy Spirit and Jesus pray for us when we groan and struggle in prayers for the sake of us, our families and our nations.
Rom 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God.”
Everyone can taste and see that this holds true in our life. There is but one condition: to love God. The First Commandment says: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” Jesus is the only begotten Son of God – true God. How to love Jesus? He says: “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.” To keep His commandments means to lose our soul for His sake and the Gospel’s (Mk 8:35). To love God means to realize especially in prayer: He is here, He sees me, knows me and loves me. God so loved the world (you) that He gave His only begotten Son for you too (cf. Jn 3:16). Jesus laid down His life and shed His blood on the cross for you of His own accord, that you may have eternal life. This is a manifestation of God’s love for you. Saints gave the first place in their lives to God and His commandments. Millions of martyrs sacrificed their lives for the sake of Christ and the Gospel. We are unable to love God with our own strength. “The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Rom 5:5) If we love God, then really all things – suffering, persecution, ridicule as well as intrigues of enemies – work together for our supreme good – eternal glory in heaven.
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