Read Romans 8:31-34
In light of everything that Paul has been discussing in chapter 8, we begin to feel the full force of Paul’s argument of the implications of the gospel in the Christian life. This is life in the Spirit, or life in Christ. After discussing the implications of a fallen and futile creation, Paul grounds the Christian life in the love of God as something that comes from God and to his people. The massive therefore that brings the argument to conclusion is that despite all of the futility of life and creation, we can be CERTAIN that we are safe and secure in Christ with everything that we need to thrive.
The rhetorical questions that Paul uses to tease out the implications of his argument is: “If God is for us, who can be against us?”. The force of this question is that God is supreme, almighty, and eternal, therefore if we are certain that he is for us, then it doesn’t matter who or what is working against us because God will prevail. He then shows us how we can be certain that God is for us: he has given us his son. In Romans 8:3, we see that God has sent his son into the world for sin and to condemn sin, for us. God has given what was most precious to him for our benefit and to secure and accomplish our salvation. Therefore, because he has given us the most valuable thing, it follows that he would not spare any good thing in accomplishing his good purposes for our life.
In verse 33, we see the goodness of God’s love for us applied to our guilt in sin. Having previously established the sinfulness of all people in Romans 1-3, Paul builds on this theme by showing us how life in Christ is a life that is free from condemnation. Just as he opened this chapter, he reminds us that God is the only one who can justly condemn us and he has pronounced us righteous because of Christ’s intervention on our behalf on the cross and in his resurrection. Therefore, Paul shows us that the very center of our salvation is the death and resurrection of Christ (nothing we have done). When we believe and follow Christ, we are justified by faith, not by what we do but by what he has done. This is true not just for the newly converted, but for the most mature Christian, because Jesus continues to intercede for us and serve as a weapon against guilt and condemnation that comes from a wicked world and Satan.
Questions
How can we know that God is for us?
What are some barriers to believing and living like God is truly for us?
Why is it important to center your faith not on your experience but on the death and resurrection of Jesus?
How does Jesus present intercession give you confidence in approaching God in prayer?