If God is for us, who can be against us? — Romans 8:31
We are all, of course, pleased when others are on our side, pulling for us, and cheering us on — to be for us. We are doubly blessed when someone is still for us when we mess up, go broke, or grow old and feeble. We are honored when someone is for us, not because of our wealth or station in life, but because of who we are. And it matters who is for us. We may not want some people on our side. If we are worthy of honor, it is especially desirable to be honored by those who are themselves honorable.
If the boss is for us, a few friends, and an occasional relative, we do well. But how about having the God of heaven for us? Might the Creator and Ruler of the universe, who is infinite, eternal, and immortal, really be on our side, encouraging and comforting us when things go wrong? Is the Lord of heaven and earth, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see, really with us and for us? If so, it is irrational grace and incredible mercy. That the God who knows the heart and whose ways are inscrutable actually comes down to earth to be Father to us and wipe our tears away boggles the mind.
The context in which the apostle gives us this assurance is replete with exceedingly great promises, consistent with God being for us. In Romans 8:28 is the promise that “in all things God works for good to those who love God.” Even in heartache and tragedy God is there for us, using it in some way for our good. He does not bring on the heart attack, or the stroke, or the cancer, or the financial disaster, but he is there for us, using the tragedy in ways unknown to us for our good, perhaps our eternal good. Farther along we’ll understand.
In verse 32 the apostle assures believers that since God did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, “how shall he not with Him feely give us all things.” The promise of “all things” is not all things we may want, but all things that we need for our earthly sojourn. The wisest person — and probably the happiest person — is the one who has learned that he doesn’t need all that much, and so he opts for the simple life.
The apostle goes on to insist that God’s sovereignty protects “the elect” from the cruel judgments of men — “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies” (Verse 34), not the judgments of others. He then assures the believer that nothing — and he speaks in cosmic turns — can separate us from God’s love. His affirmation encompasses the entire universe, angelic and demonic spirits alike — death, life, angels, principalities, powers, things present, things future, any created thing. Since God is for us, nothing in all creation can separate us from his love, and he includes the cruel turns in life — devastation, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, sword.
And so he concludes with “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Verse 37). This is why I tell Ouida as we face the perils of old age that it doesn’t matter what happens, all is well, for we are on the winning side. Our time and our destiny are in the hands of him who is for us. We know how the story ends. We win.
Written by Leroy Garrett
We are all, of course, pleased when others are on our side, pulling for us, and cheering us on — to be for us. We are doubly blessed when someone is still for us when we mess up, go broke, or grow old and feeble. We are honored when someone is for us, not because of our wealth or station in life, but because of who we are. And it matters who is for us. We may not want some people on our side. If we are worthy of honor, it is especially desirable to be honored by those who are themselves honorable.
If the boss is for us, a few friends, and an occasional relative, we do well. But how about having the God of heaven for us? Might the Creator and Ruler of the universe, who is infinite, eternal, and immortal, really be on our side, encouraging and comforting us when things go wrong? Is the Lord of heaven and earth, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see, really with us and for us? If so, it is irrational grace and incredible mercy. That the God who knows the heart and whose ways are inscrutable actually comes down to earth to be Father to us and wipe our tears away boggles the mind.
The context in which the apostle gives us this assurance is replete with exceedingly great promises, consistent with God being for us. In Romans 8:28 is the promise that “in all things God works for good to those who love God.” Even in heartache and tragedy God is there for us, using it in some way for our good. He does not bring on the heart attack, or the stroke, or the cancer, or the financial disaster, but he is there for us, using the tragedy in ways unknown to us for our good, perhaps our eternal good. Farther along we’ll understand.
In verse 32 the apostle assures believers that since God did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, “how shall he not with Him feely give us all things.” The promise of “all things” is not all things we may want, but all things that we need for our earthly sojourn. The wisest person — and probably the happiest person — is the one who has learned that he doesn’t need all that much, and so he opts for the simple life.
The apostle goes on to insist that God’s sovereignty protects “the elect” from the cruel judgments of men — “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies” (Verse 34), not the judgments of others. He then assures the believer that nothing — and he speaks in cosmic turns — can separate us from God’s love. His affirmation encompasses the entire universe, angelic and demonic spirits alike — death, life, angels, principalities, powers, things present, things future, any created thing. Since God is for us, nothing in all creation can separate us from his love, and he includes the cruel turns in life — devastation, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, sword.
And so he concludes with “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Verse 37). This is why I tell Ouida as we face the perils of old age that it doesn’t matter what happens, all is well, for we are on the winning side. Our time and our destiny are in the hands of him who is for us. We know how the story ends. We win.
Written by Leroy Garrett
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