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Presented August 22. 2004 pm

IF GOD IS FOR US

Romans 8:31-39

In Romans 8, beginning with verse 1, Paul has been summarizing his message to these brethren in Rome who seemed to be divided against each other.  He has established that all men have sinned (both Jew and Gentile alike) and that our only hope is by God’s grace through our faith (which we have extensively established as being a responsive, active faith).  Paul has anticipated various questions, especially from the Jews concerning the law and concluded that we all need Jesus (both Jew and Gentile alike).  It is he in whom the Spirit of Christ dwells that has hope.  In our text tonight we notice a reason that Paul gives for our hope – God’s greatness. Paul asks a series of questions that show the security of our hope – it is a security offered to us by God and our resolve to keep it that way.  Tonight we will notice these questions.

I.         If God is for us, who can be against us? (vs. 31)

a.           First, this statement is made based upon vs. 28 which says “we know that all things work together for good to those who are called according to His purpose”.  In a recent study of that text we noted that its primary message is reference to that which God has done for us.  He has done so many things for us, some of which we will mention in our text this evening.

b.          Vs. 29-30 make it clear that hope is only available to those who are justified.  Again we studied this text and noted in summary it has reference to those who submit to His call through the gospel, a plan He determined before the foundation of the world.

c.           Vs. 31 – IF God is for us, who can be against us?  This is not really a question, but a confident observation.  It described Paul’s maturity in Christ .  Paul had total confidence in God – do we have the confidence Paul had?

              i.      Vs. 38 – “I am persuaded”

             ii.      2 Timothy 1:12 – “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded…”

d.          Do we truly believe this in our lives? 
We understand that as Christians we are not immune from the enemies of this world –
2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12-13 – we will see “fiery trials”
Certainly Satan is against us in every sense of the word – but if God be for us, we can overcome him – James 4:7; 1 Corinthians 10:13

II.       What He has already given us (vs. 32)

a.     How can we know God is for us?  Consider what He has already done.

b.     He gave His only begotten son for us – John 3:16
2 Corinthians 5:21 – “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God.”  In this Paul is not saying that Jesus was guilty of sin, but that God accepted His sacrifice for our sins

c.     God has invested too much in us to let us go now – especially if we show Him the appreciation He deserves!

d.     IT is interesting to note that the expression “freely give” is a derivative of the word grace.  Romans 6:23 – while the wages of sin is death, the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.

III.     Who can charge us?  Who can condemn us? (33-34)

a.           In verse 33, Paul has reference to the accusations of those of this world.  Again, his question is rhetorical with the answer – there is NONE!
Who accuses us supposedly before God
1)  Satan accuses us – He accused Job of only serving God out of blessings; he accused God before Eve
2)  Sometimes brethren accuse us – Have you heard the expression, “The hit dog howls!”?  Sometimes brethren accuse those who expose their improper attitudes and actions – often with slander.  Paul wrote 2 Corinthians defending such accusations (2 Cor. 10:10).
He told the brethren at Galatia, “Have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16)
3) Sometimes the worldly accuse us – When we don’t do things the way they want them done, we are accused of being unloving and hateful.  I.e. Homosexuals who call us “homophobes” because we dare to condemn their behavior.  Or the denominations who say we are to “narrow minded” because we refuse to fellowship or accept their doctrines.  Or the beggar who is turned away because his care is not the work of the church.

b.          The bottom line is this – It is God who justifies.
Romans 3:26 – God is just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
God has set the standard of right and wrong and we have to submit to HIS will!  He is the only one we need to worry about pleasing. 
Romans 14:12 points out that it is God to whom we must give account for our lives.  Hebrews 4:13 also says this.

c.           Who is He who condemns us?
As I understand this text, Paul now points to the One who HAS THE RIGHT to condemn us – Jesus Christ.  The actual word is one that means “to give judgment against, to judge worthy of punishment” (Thayer)
IN the last day it is His words that will judge us – John 12:48
Acts 10:42 – Peter tells Cornelius that Jesus is He who God ordained to be judge of the living and the dead
Acts 17:31 – the world will be judged by Him.

d.          Why does Jesus have the right to condemn?

                        i.            He’s the one who died for us and our sins

                       ii.            He was raised from the dead – showing God’s pleasure in what He did – Acts 17:31

                     iii.            He is seated at the right hand of God – reigning as Lord and Christ. – Philippians 2:8-11
Acts 2:32-33 – on the day of Pentecost, He was raised and seated at His right hand
1 Corinthians 15:24-25 – He is reigning and will continue to do so until all enemies are put under His feet

                     iv.            He intercedes for us – 1 John 2:1 – He is an advocate with the Father.
Hebrews 7:25 – He always lives to make intercession

IV.    Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (35-39)

a.           The final question we will answer tonight.  I believe it can be asked two ways

                        i.            Christ’s love is so great who can take that away from us?

                       ii.            If we are as devoted as we ought to be (e.g. – the spirit of Christ is in us), we will not allow anything to separate us from His blessings

                     iii.            Some believe this teaches eternal security as in “once saved, always saved”, but it doesn’t teach that (Galatians 5:4; 2 Peter 2:20-21, etc.)

b.          A series of situations are mentioned.  Shall…

                   i.      Tribulation – severe persecutions

                  ii.       Distress – a pressing situation

                  iii.      Persecutions – malice toward the cause of Christ

                  iv.      Famine – being hungry

                   v.      Nakedness – lacking enough clothing to keep one warm

                  vi.      Peril – dangerous situations

                 vii.      The sword – probably reference to execution

c.           Psalm 44:22 is then quoted, verbatim in the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament)  A passage where the sons of Korah put their trust in God even as they are put to death for His cause – Possibly a reference to Saul murdering the priests at Nob in 1 Samuel 22:17-19.

d.          The quote is appropriate as it states, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS we know that you are there for us.  We KNOW something better awaits us on the other side of this life.
8:37 points out, “we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us”
In Revelation 6:9-11 describes the souls of martyrs who had been slain for the word of God crying “How long”.  Vs. 11 says, they were give a white robe. 
Revelation 7:9-10 multitudes from the nations give white robes and praising God saying, “salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb”

e.           Vs. 38 shows Paul’s persuasion with yet another list.  Paul knows without any doubt that NOTHING can separate us from His love.  In the previous list he mentioned situations, now he mentions everything in and upon this earth and even beyond

                              i.     Neither death – death is NOT the enemy of the Christian – 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

                             ii.     Nor life – no matter what we encounter in this life – it can’t take our salvation away

                           iii.      Nor angels – angelic beings who are a step above man cannot take our relationship with Christ from us.  In fact, Hebrews 1 says the angels are subject to Him

                           iv.      Nor principalities – a word for rulers.  We could debate whether this has reference to heavenly rulers or worldly rulers, but what difference does it make?  In this context they would both be treated the same

                            v.      Nor powers – again, whether supernatural or natural powers

                           vi.      Nor things present – whatever is happening right now

                         vii.       Nor things to come – as opposed to what is happening right now.  There is nothing in the future we HAVE TO DO that can make us be separated from Him.

                        viii.       Nor height, nor depth – can anyone tell me where the end of the universe is?  How far does it go?  How deep do the oceans go?  If we could reach the limits of creation, God is there and so is His love.

                            ix.    Nor any other created thing – I see this as “and the like” in the list of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:21.

f.            No matter what, it cannot separate us from the Love of God which is found in Christ Jesus.

What a blessed assurance that is for us in this life!  Truly, it matters not whether you are a Jew or a Gentile, you need Jesus.  And if you put your trust in Him, you have a real hope and real meaning in this life.  As we just noted, there is NOTHING that can separated us from His love.  If His love for you and me is that strong, how strong is our love for Him?  Is there anything we will allow to get in the way of our love.  If you have left God, let me admonish you to come back tonight while there is still hope.  Think about it!