God Is For Us
31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?32He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. —Romans 8:31-34
How great is that? “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
But notice the first phrase, “What then shall we say to these things?” Which begs the question, what things? Well, Paul’s been talking about “these things” for eight chapters in the book of Romans. Let’s review.
Paul begins Romans by showing in chapters 1-3 that all Gentiles, all Jews, everyone, everywhere is a sinner. Romans 3:23 says “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” The idea is this: God has a perfect standard and guess what? Not one of us is measuring up to it. Romans chapters 1-3 boils down to, “You’ve got a problem you can’t solve.”
Romans 4 says God did something about the problem. Contrary to popular opinion, the way to come into a right relationship with God is not by pleasing or appeasing God through our efforts. The way to come into a right relationship with God is the same way it’s always been, by faith. Romans 4:3 says even Abraham was declared righteous by God. “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Romans 5 tells us the real evidence of God’s love is, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (v.8). Chapters 6-8 tell us God doesn’t just want to forgive our sins, He wants to transform us.
When we get to Romans 8:31 we learn that this Christian life is lived in the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul says, “What then shall we say to these things?” All these things God has done for us in Christ. He’s like, “Okay, figure it out. If God is for us, who can be against us? What trial can possibly overwhelm us if God is for us?”
You say, “I heard you’re going through some tough times.”
“Well yeah, but God is for me!”
“I heard circumstances aren’t going well where you work.”
“Yeah, it may look like that, but it’s not over yet. And God is for me!”
“What about the problems in your family, and the child who’s breaking your heart.”
“Yes, but God is for me!
What trial can’t you conquer if you embrace the understanding that God is ever and always for you? For you! —James MacDonald
Journal:
- What kinds of difficulties and obstacles tend to make me forget God is for me?
- How can I improve my immediate recollection that God will never change His mind about me?
Prayer - Heavenly Father, forgive me for letting the immediate circumstances distract me from Your steadfast love for me! Forgive me for the unbelief of thinking that my challenge is too big for You to handle instead of trusting You with it and resting in Your faithfulness. Lead me into deeper reliance on Your Spirit in me as I live each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
