(emphasis mine)
Therefore there is now NO CONDEMNATION [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]. For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has SET YOU FREE from the law of sin and of death. For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the SPIRIT OF ADOPTION as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies and confirms together with our spirit [assuring us] that we [believers] are children of God. And if [we are His] children, [then we are His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance], if indeed we share in His suffering so that we may also share in His glory. For I consider [from the standpoint of faith] that THE SUFFERINGS OF THE PRESENT LIFE ARE NOT WORTHY to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us!

All my life I seem to keep coming back to the truths outlined in Romans chapter 8! When I was an 8th grader, struggling after my mom had just passed away from a long battle with cancer, I relied on the truths presented here — just to get me through the days and months ahead.

When I was in my twenties, I was a mixed-up young man, socially awkward due to the pain of the past. And I wondered whether I would ever find someone to marry. In that time, I relied on the truths presented in Romans 8.

And today, after having one of the most challenging weeks in my career, exerting all of the ability and energy I have for a couple of weeks to perform at my best, and finding that I still came up short of my goal, I also rely on the truths presented in Romans 8.

I am proclaiming here and now; these truths supersede all the lies that this world has told me and will tell you!

Truth #1: By following after Jesus, I stand here not condemned! I have been SET FREE from the forces of condemnation that operate in this world! I am justified and belong to another — Jesus Christ my Lord!

Truth #2: Fear has no power over me, because I have been ADOPTED into the family of God! Anything this world has to offer me pales in comparison to what I ALREADY HAVE been given, as an adopted son of God! Likewise, this world’s tactics of fear and intimidation have no impact on me. They are like plastic darts aimed at a warrior fortified with heavy armor!

Truth #3: I have a Father God who loves me deeply and I have a relationship with him where I can call out to him in my time of need, and he will come to my aid and love me in return. He is my “Abba” Father, my spiritual Dad.

Truth #4: When I suffer in this life, and bear under it in a way that honors God, I am sharing in the sufferings of Jesus! And this comes with an incredible promise: I will also SHARE IN HIS GLORY!

Truth #5: This glory I gain is not just an “out of reach”-type of glory that I one day will achieve when I die — it is that … but also so much more! It is a HERE AND NOW GLORY, a glory that shines bright into the fear and darkness of this world. God’s Spirit continues to reveal the heart of God to me as I serve him. He continues to change my heart to become more and more like Jesus Christ in my ability to give selflessly and love unconditionally. I am achieving glory in this life through the power of Jesus!

So, when life throws me challenges and tries to define me as a failure, I WILL STAND on the power of Romans 8. I WILL STAND on “the name that is above every other name” (Philippians 2:9-10). I WILL STAND on the Rock of My Salvation, Jesus Christ!

Lord, thank you for your truths, which comfort me all throughout my life. They are priceless treasures, worth more than the most expensive diamonds! I am so glad I can be called your child and rely on your approval of me, no matter what this world tells me!