Some days within the Christian life can really feel like episodes of a cleaning soap opera, with twists and turns, altering allegiances, and a cliffhanger leaving us questioning what is going to occur subsequent: “I do know that Jesus has cherished me to the tip, however can I try this for Him? Will I persevere?”
In some methods, although, the Christian life is extra akin to an episode of the Nineteen Fifties detective present Perry Mason. Perry Mason at all times acquired his man earlier than the hour was up. With the proof introduced, the responsible social gathering came upon, and the harmless social gathering acquitted, the decision was definitive. The viewers may relaxation assured.
In Romans 8, Paul, like Perry, works the jury on behalf of the beleaguered Christian, placing up the proof to point out that their acquittal is legitimate and everlasting. The truth that “there’s … now no condemnation for many who are in Christ Jesus” (v. 1) is affirmed by the last word promise that nothing “in all creation … will have the ability to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (v. 39).
Romans 8:31–39 is one thing of a closing argument on this trial. And on the middle of this closing argument is the pleasant testimony of the star witness: God Himself.
The Case as It Stands
Verse 31 asks, “What then let’s assume to those issues?” To what? To all that has preceded! Paul has introduced the proof, and now he’s about to inform us what it means. So what’s the proof?
Within the previous verses, Paul has asserted that Christ has stood within the place of sinners, and there’s no condemnation to those that are in Christ. And those that are in Christ reveal this wonderful actuality by a brand new mentality, centered on what the Spirit of Christ wishes (v. 5).
Moreover, he factors out the proof that ought to level to the brand new non secular life filling the believer: “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the lifeless dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the lifeless may even give life to your mortal our bodies by means of his Spirit who dwells in you” (v. 11). This Spirit assures us of our adoption as kids of God (vv. 12–17), helps us to persevere in hope amid struggling (vv. 18–25), and aids us in our weak spot as we think about the fantastic, electing love of God that is aware of us, predestines us, calls us, and justifies us so that we could be finally glorified (vv. 26–30).
“What then let’s assume to those issues?” Paul then asks. Given all this proof, how is the troubled Christian to know his or her place in God’s kingdom?
The Idea of the Case
The crux of Paul’s argument is summed up within the subsequent phrases: “If God is for us, who might be in opposition to us?” (v. 31). It’s as if Paul have been saying, “Choose and jury have already determined for you, defendant. The prosecutor can shout and scream and stomp his toes, however he can’t contradict them.”
If the God who calls us and justifies us is on our aspect, then the opposition is of no account. We could also be tempted to set our eyes on personal means, however the Bible teaches us that our victory or failure actually hinges on God:
If it had not been the LORD who was on our aspect
when individuals rose up in opposition to us,
then they might have swallowed us up alive” (Ps. 124:2–3).
That is the fixed testimony of the Outdated Testomony Scriptures. The success of God’s individuals is to not be seemed for in God’s individuals however in God Himself. It was God who defeated Pharaoh (Ex. 14:4). Because the individuals trembled on the considered giants, Joshua and Caleb reminded them, “If the LORD delights in us, he’ll deliver us into this land and provides it to us” (Num. 14:8). God knocked down the partitions of Jericho whereas the individuals stood by (Josh. 6:15–20). God defeated overwhelming forces earlier than them as they conquered Canaan (Josh. 10:14). And “time would fail … to inform of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets” (Heb. 11:32).
The Scriptures are clear: When God is on somebody’s aspect, victory is definite, even when the percentages appear slim from a human perspective. The entire world and all of the non secular powers could stand as much as accuse our souls; nonetheless the reply to Paul’s query—“Who might be in opposition to us?”—can be: No one in all any account in any way!
The Knock-Down Argument
It’s no query that if God is on our aspect, victory is ours. And if we’re left with any query about whether or not God is on our aspect, Paul reminds us of this truth, established already within the file: God the Father, he writes, “didn’t spare his personal Son however gave him up for us all” (Rom. 8:32). Because the hymn author places it,
How deep the Father’s love for us,
How huge past all measure,
That He ought to give His solely Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
We have been sinners. However, the Father, Son, and Spirit covenanted from eternity to save lots of us from sin by means of the sacrifice of the incarnate Son on the cross: “God exhibits his love for us in that whereas we have been nonetheless sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). Nothing in us deserves God’s love. However, the cross demonstrates the marvelous undeniable fact that He has certainly cherished us!
This unimaginable truth raises one other query: “How will he not additionally with him graciously give us all issues?” (Rom. 8:32). If God has given us the best and the very best in Jesus, He won’t withhold the entire blessings of grace that may full His work within the lives of His kids. In Christ, now we have the promise of each grace—for “if whereas we have been enemies we have been reconciled to God by the dying of his Son, rather more, now that we’re reconciled, lets be saved by his life” (Rom. 5:10).
John Murray helpfully explains, “‘All issues’ is an apparent instance of an expression in common phrases utilized in a restrictive sense.” In different phrases, God won’t actually give us something we ask, however He will certainly give us the entire package deal of grace that comes with figuring out Jesus. If Jesus have been a gift opened on Christmas morning, we might by no means discover the phrases “Batteries not included.” In giving Him, God has given us all we want; and having began us off, He won’t fail to deliver us to completion.
The work which His goodness started
The arm of His power will full;
His promise is Yea and Amen
And by no means was forfeited but.
This text is the primary in a three-part collection inspecting Paul’s closing argument in Romans 8. Keep tuned to the Fact For Life weblog for the second and third components, coming quickly!
This text was tailored from the sermon “If God Be for Us…” by Alistair Begg.
- Stuart Townend, “How Deep the Fatsher’s Love for Us” (1995).
- John Murray, The Epistle to the Romans: The English Textual content with Introduction, Exposition and Notes, vol. 1, Chapters 1 to eight, The New Worldwide Commentary on the New Testomony (Grand Rapids, Eerdmans, 1959), 326.
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Augustus Montague Toplady, “A Debtor to Mercy Alone” (1771).
