Anchored In Gratitude, Part 1: I Can Be… Am I?

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

When you know you are,
you can embrace you are.

According to Romans 8, I can be:

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1–2

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:5–6

For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8:13–14

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear… Romans 8:15a

…but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15b

 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:16

Now, if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. Romans 8:17a

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble, or hardship or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? Romans 8:35

Moving from “I can be” to “I am…”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37–39

Small Group Questions

1. What are your plans for Thanksgiving?
2. Do you have an anchor Bible passage that you go to when life is hard?
3. Which of the statements from Romans 8 resonates with you most deeply? Why?
4. Has the depth of God’s love for you changed the way you view yourself? If so, how?
5. Read Romans 8 out loud. What else could you add to Grant’s list?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?