2 "We" Are A Bunch Of Dead People

NOTE: This is the second devotional in our series on Romans 8:28.

Last week we said taking scripture out of context can lead to confusion misinterpretation and misunderstanding. To understand scripture we need to read it in, its context. Someone can pull most any verse or passage from scripture and interpret it fit their belief system or persuasive tactics.

Today we look at the “we” of Romans 8:28 to discover who “we” really are. Many folks can quote Romans 8:28 and interpret it to mean, everything will be okay because God said so. We hear friends and relatives quote this verse to others in their times of trials and hardships, thinking the verse will bring some measure of peace or consolation to those who are suffering or grieving.

If we were honest with each other, we’d know that most folks who are grieving or suffering don’t want us quoting scripture to them. It is seldom comforting.  The verse can, however, be comforting to a small group of people Paul calls “we” in this verse.

The “we” Paul refers to is not Christians or even the church. Paul is referring to a subset of Christians and the Church — a small bunch of dead people.

In the chapters and verses leading up to Romans 8:28 Paul often speaks of “we”.

• Therefore, having been justified by faith we have peace with God…5:1
• …while we were yet sinners Christ died for us…5:8b
• …we who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into his death…6:3
• …now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him…6:8
• …we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound. 7:6b

When Paul talks about “we” he’s talking to and about we who have discovered our true identity in Christ, and we who have died to our flesh and the ways of the world.   He’s talking about we who know God accepts us without reservation just as we are, warts and all. He’s talking about we who know we have been forgiven of all the sins we ever committed or ever will commit. He’s talking about we who know there is absolutely nothing we can do on our own to please God or to convince Him to love us any more than He already does. He’s talking about we who know that while we’re still in the flesh here on earth, we are not free from sinning, but we are free from slavery to or bondage to sin. He’s talking to and about we who know our identity does not depend of what we do for Him but who we are in Him. He’s talking about we who know that we can never be good enough or do enough good things to please God. He’s talking to and about those of us who know Christ is molding us and shaping us into His image every day, with every blessing and every trial. He’s talking to us who believe and live Jesus’ teaching in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” He’s talking to and about we who no longer condemn ourselves when we sin, but seek repentance and a daily desire to remain in His presence.

Does that mean we are somehow better than those who haven’t discovered who they are in Christ? Absolutely not.  Will we still sin? Of course. As long as we live in the flesh we will wage a constant battle with the devil who is doing everything he can to destroy us.

What it does mean is that we have discovered true freedom and peace as children of the Living God. We have died to self  (See Luke 9:23) and we are allowing Jesus to live His life in us, through us and as us to bring glory to God.

Next week we will explore the impact of what we “know” in this pivotal verse in Romans 8:28

If you don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus and would like to see how easy it is to claim Him as your Lord and Savior…follow this link.

If you want to read last week’s message, the first in this series, Taking Scripture Out Of Context,  follow this link.

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