This morning in Sunday service we will be studying again out of Romans 8. This morning’s message comes from verses 31 and 32: “What then shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” [NIV]
Paul has just devoted the previous verses to what God has done for us. Theologians love that section (8:29-30). It provides so much fodder for discussion over deep concepts summed up in words like foreknowledge, predestination, election, justification and glorification. But Paul didn’t write that to provide theologians debate points. He wrote it because the Christians in Rome were facing and would face tribulation, trial, persecution and even martyrdom. He wanted them to know that the God who did all to save them would do all to keep them.
After putting forth all those deep thoughts about God, it’s as if Paul suddenly hears someone ask the question … “So what?” What do those deep things (foreknowledge, predestination, election, justification and glorification) have to do with my everyday life? Well, he says, let me tell you. “If God is for us ….”
“If God is for us” can legitimately be translated “Since God is for us.” It’s not a statement of whether God is for us. Paul has already proven He is. It’s a statement of fact. We may not understand all those deep theological concepts, but we can understand that simple yet most profound and amazing truth, “God is for us.”
Personalize that truth, say it aloud with me … “God is for me.” God IS for me. God is FOR me. God is for ME! Amen. Listen to Chris Tomlin remind us in song that Jesus not only loves us … He is for us. (link below)
