If God is For Us Who Can be Against Us?
July 2, 2020
Commentary
The closing verses in this chapter expand more fully the great theme of the believer’s security. We can be sure that God works in “all things” for our good (v. 28). This promise is not for everyone. It can be claimed only by those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Believers are those God foreknows, and those He foreknew (vv. 29-30) He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of Christ. He called, and when they responded to His call and received salvation, He justified and glorified them. To be glorified is another way of saying that the children of God will be conformed to His Son, and that is God’s ultimate purpose for each one of us.
Paul asked and answered several questions to bring to us the truth that a believer’s eternal salvation is completely securein God’s hands: (1) “What shall we then say to these things?” – “Hallelujah” is a good resonance (vv. 28-30). God’s plan will be carried out perfectly. (2) “If God be for us, who can be against us?” – God will not allow Satan and his demons to triumph over believers. (3) “How shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” – God will give us what we need for sanctification. (4) “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect?” & (5) “Who is he that condemns?” – Satan is the accuser of God’s people, but he will be thrown out of court because Christ the Judge declares the accused person righteous.
Application
Nothing can stop Christ’s constant presence with me. His love is so great that I feel totally secure in Him, and with this assurance there is no need to be afraid. If my salvation depended on me, I would have lost it a long time ago. It is so wonderful knowing He is holding on to me and it is not me holding on to Him.
Romans 8:28– 34 (NET)
28 And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, 29 because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.
31 What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is the one who will condemn? Christ is the one who died (and more than that, he was raised), who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us.