What is the Ezra Ministry?
The Ezra Ministry is largely the research, writing, and teaching ministry of its Director, Dr Andrew Young.
Nothing Against Us
“Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect?” (Romans 8:32) Bible Reading: Romans 8:33-39 The theme of the certainty of those justified by faith being saved reaches its climax in the closing verses of this great chapter. Paul uses a series of rhetorical questions to achieve this effect. He has already asked, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:32). To that, he adds, “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died – more than that, who was raised – […]
All Things Needed
“… how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32) Bible Reading: Romans 8:31-32 In his sermons on Romans 8, the 20th-century preacher Martyn Lloyd-Jones repeatedly stressed Paul’s purpose in this chapter. It is, he insisted, to show that those justified by faith alone will certainly inherit the full blessings of salvation. That theme comes to the surface in the final verses of the chapter (Romans 8:31-39). Having argued that “all things work together for good” for those who love God, Paul continues, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for […]
“Also”
“Those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. ” (Romans 8:30) Bible Reading: Romans 8:28-30 The little word “also” is repeated four times in two verses (Romans 8:29, 30). It forms a link that holds together larger ideas in what is sometimes called “the golden chain of salvation.” We noted last time that God, in his eternal plan or purpose, “foreknows” his people. This is often spoken of as his “fore-loving” them, or sovereignly choosing them before time to be his own. Those whom God […]
The Certainty of Our Salvation
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good…” (Romans 8:28) Bible Reading: Romans 8:28-30 Paul has been highlighting the fact that life in this present age is not easy for those who are God’s children. They suffer and groan in the hope of their future glory (Romans 8:23). In that condition, they are strengthened by the Holy Spirit and enabled to pray for the things they need, often with sounds too deep to be uttered in words (v. 26). In that context, the apostle goes on to speak of the certainty that everything […]
The Intercession of the Spirit
“… the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26) Bible Reading: Romans 8:26-27 Our present existence as we wait for our full revelation as sons of God is pictured by Paul as one of inward “groaning” (Romans 8:23). Here, he tells us of a special ministry of the Holy Spirit in this connection. “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness,” he says (v. 26). Our present condition is viewed as one of weakness, similar to that of the creation which groans in the “pains of childbirth” (v. 22). But unlike the creation, those […]
Groaning in Hope
“… the whole creation has been groaning… we ourselves… groan inwardly.” (Romans 8:22, 23) Bible Reading: Romans 8:22-25 Paul has spoken of the “revealing of the sons of God” as a decisive event in the future (Romans 8:19). Here, he tells us that both the creation and Christians “groan” for that to take place. “For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth till now,” he says (v. 22). We noted yesterday that the creation had been “subjected to futility” as a result of the sin of our first parents (v. 20). Here, […]
The Hope of Glory
“…the sufferings of the present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18) Bible Reading: Romans 8:18-21 The pathway to glory, Paul tells us, is through suffering (Romans 8:17). He speaks of it as though suffering is inevitable for the Christian – just as Jesus had earlier (John 16:33) and as he had forewarned new churches planted on his first missionary journey (Acts 14:22). That inevitability, however, does not depress Paul. On the contrary, he can write, “For I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with […]
Heirs of God
“… and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ…” (Romans 8:17) Bible Reading: Romans 8:13-17 The life we are destined to as sons of God is more than endless existence. Here, Paul introduces the idea that it involves an inheritance. If indeed we are God’s children, he tells us, then we are heirs – “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Romans 17). An heir is someone who comes into the possession of property or privilege, usually upon the death of another person. Yet, that surely cannot be what Paul has in mind here […]
Sons of God
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14) Bible Reading: Romans 8:13-17 The Apostle Paul is working out an argument to prove that those who are led by the Holy Spirit shall “live” (Romans 8:13). It rests on the fact that “all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (v. 14). This, he says, is evident from the nature of the Spirit whom they have received. “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption […]
Debtors to the Spirit
“So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh…” (Romans 8:12) Bible Reading: Romans 8:12-15 The great things that happen to us through Christ make us “debtors” – people who owe something. But to whom, or what, are we indebted? Paul provides an answer, firstly in a negative way. “So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh” (Romans 8:12). Everything he has said about the “flesh” gives us reason to know why we do not owe it a debt. But the apostle states it again here, anyway: “For if you live […]