Romans 8:5-11

Paul writes: "The Spirit seeks life and peace."

Paul's letter to the Christians in Rome was written towards the end of his ministry. Romans is the longest of Paul's letters. It is the first letter presented in the New Testament, because Paul's letters are sorted by length. In chapter 8 of Romans Paul explains that life in the Spirit is life and peace.

Despite our sin the Spirit of God dwells in us. Paul says that if we set our minds on Christ and not on the desires of our flesh, the Spirit will help us. In Romans 8:15, Paul cries out, like the child of God he is: "Abba! Father!" This intimate word in Aramaic for God, which is like "Papa" or "Daddy" in contemporary English, appears two other times in the New Testament. Paul uses it once more in his letter to the Galatians (4:6), and Jesus refers to God as Abba in the gospel of Mark (14:36). Although Paul's teachings are directed to Gentile Christians, this word links his faith with the Aramaic prayers of Jesus. In this Spirit, the eighth chapter of Romans ends with Paul's stirring affirmation that nothing can separate us from the love of God we know in Christ Jesus.

Grace and peace...Bob