If God is for us, who can be against us? Meditate on those words for a while. Now-consider- how does Paul start this verse (Romans 8:31)?
He says, “What then are we to say about these things?” Of what things is he speaking? Everything he has been telling us from the beginning of Romans.
Let’s recap- so that we can feel the true power of these words.
Romans 1- we are guilty- God is Holy- we are not. Our sin has separated us from God.
Romans 2- God’s judgment upon us is righteous- we are judged by the law.
Romans 3- There is none righteous, no not one (vs10, 23)- but we are made right before God through faith.
Romans 4- we see the example of Abraham- and his faith and submission to God.
Romans 5- we are justified by faith and have peace with God through Jesus Christ- who gave His life for us (vs1). God died for us in our sinfulness and weakness (v6).
Romans 6- we do not let sin reign in us- Enslaved to God.
Romans 7- We cannot overcome the desires of the flesh by moral effort- but rather through the transforming work of God in us- and His Holy Spirit convicting us.
Romans 8- No condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (vs1). God gives us the power to say no to sin and say yes to Him- through His power and Spirit working in us and through us. (Don’t Just Say No)
And here we are today at the culmination of all that Paul has shared up to this point. Hear the power of these words- let them penetrate into your heart and spirit today.
Romans 8:31-39
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 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? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 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.
Paul isn’t speaking in probably, or I think this might be true- Paul lived it (I am convinced). All the things he mentioned in verse 35 he had experienced.
More than conquerors does not mean being saved from suffering or tragedy- but rather we need to take hold of a steady assurance-make this our deep foundation- God is for us.
Nothing happens that He does not allow.
This is calling us to full surrender of our lives into God’s hands. Where we accept what happens to us and trust in faith because we remember all God has done for us.
We don’t doubt the love of one who has allowed His own Son to suffer and die on our behalf.
He is NOT one who calls to us in our sinful state demanding that we change- work harder, be better- and then He will come to us. No, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (5:8).
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let the truth of this passage soak into you. I need to be reminded of this daily. God is for you. God is for me. God is for us!
Remember what God has done- the salvation that we live in daily- the Holy Spirit that resides in us and prays on our behalf. Jesus Christ intercedes for us (8:34).
Nothing can separate us from God’s love. Nothing. There is nothing in this world, no credible threat- that can possibly separate us from Jesus Christ our Lord.
There are many things against us. Yes, we will suffer in this life- but take courage in remembering that we know the end- and God has the victory. We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.
This is what can transform our perspective when we face trials.
What are you facing today? Is your marriage experiencing difficulty, are you estranged from a family member, have you lost a dear friend, or are you facing financial hardship?
God calls us to seek Him in our sufferings and to cling to Him- and through the power of His Holy Spirit- to trust Him when we can’t see the outcome.
Pursue Him and live obedient to His Word- let it transform our life and bring us peace.
John 14:23-27
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
When we are tempted to doubt, when we are afraid, when our hope is fading- Lord- renew us with this promise, let it soak down deep within our souls- and bolster us up in the daily battles we face.
Bring this Scripture to mind when our hearts are heavy and our will is crumbling- let it revive us- You are for us. You love us- we are more than conquerors through the power of God within us. Amen.
