Introduction
Today we find a reflection on the confidence we may have as believers in Christ Jesus. Because of His work we have all been brought together, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. We have been told over and over again that God loves us and that we should love one another. The Scripture begs of us to be safe in those doctrines. That God loves us and in fact there is nothing and no one that can separate us from that love. Today we must unite as a church and stand firm by this Word. In this section, Paul employs a figure of speech to ask animated questions, but not to obtain information. Instead of making a direct statement, he forms it in a question without waiting for an answer. In fact, no reply is expected. The overlying thought is the question posed at the end of verse 31- “What then shall we say to these things?” The things he is talking about are most likely the things he has taught in chapters 5-8. These are the things that allow us to burst into a time of rejoicing.
Read Scripture- This is the Word of God
If God is for us, who can be against us? (v31b)
This first question is the clearest as to why it is unanswerable. If Paul would have instead asked ‘Who can be against us?’ there would have been many answers:
(1) Hardships (2) Persecutions (3) Sin (4) Death (5) Satan
There are people and things against us, but the question is unanswerable because of the truth that is contained in it. “If God is for us…” none can stand against us (Since…). Not everyone can make the claim that God is for them. God said many times in the OT “I am against you says the LORD.” With God on our side there is no fear or defeat.
There are people and things against us, but the question is unanswerable because of the truth that is contained in it. “If God is for us…” none can stand against us (Since…). Not everyone can make the claim that God is for them. God said many times in the OT “I am against you says the LORD.” With God on our side there is no fear or defeat.
How shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (V32)
Christ was delivered up for us all- God held nothing back. God acts according to His promises. He does what is necessary to fulfill His Word. Since God has given the greatest, He will surely give all that we need/desire. It is not that God the Father is a cosmic abuser as some skeptics would say. In fact the Father and the Spirit were with Christ as He suffered. Our God is a Triune God. Remember Matthew 6:33 “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” He will give us all things that are needed (2 Peter 1:3). All things to live and be sanctified. Jesus said, “I give you eternal life and you shall never perish.” God has given the greatest, His Son Jesus the Christ. If Christ has taken our place who can bring a charge against us?
Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? (V33)
It is God who justifies. He is the Judge and has chosen to justify us. Who can bring a charge? Satan is busy pressing charges against us (Rev. 12:10). Ultimately, sin is done against God. He is the one who can bring charge against us. BUT God refuses to bring charges against us because He is for us. Our lives are hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:3) to escape the wrath to come and we will appear with Him in glory. No charges can be brought against Christ. God has given Christ to take our place and we are hidden in Him so that none can charge us with anything. And if there is no charge against us then who is anyone to condemn us.
Who is he who condemns? (V34)
It is Christ Jesus who can condemn. By His death He has bought us. We were slaves to sin and Christ bought us out of that slavery. Now if Christ bought us He may do whatever He wills with us. Yet, do you know what He did and does? Look at verse 34: He died, more than that He was raised, He is at the right hand of God, and drastically different than condemning- He intercedes for believers while at the right hand of God.
God does not look at us and say ‘show me your righteousness and you may be saved.’ Our righteousness is at God’s right hand. The Lord Jesus. Psalm 110:1. He makes intercession for us- 1 John 2:1. If no one can bring a charge against us and no one can condemn us then who can separate us from the love of Christ?
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (V35)
There is no doubt that we will face hardships. There is a list of seven offered. The disasters of the world bring us close to Christ. When disasters come even the unfaithful run to God and then turn back to the world shortly after. When disaster comes upon us we come closer to Christ, who suffered Himself, and we stay that close forevermore. We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. The wording provides us with two options for translation and I like either: we are super-conquerors or winning a most glorious victory. He continues to love us, but the focus is that all inclusive event on the cross.
Conclusions and Applications
Death nor life: Whereas death would have been an eternal divider it is now a step closer to everlasting life with our Lord. And the things of this world’s life cannot separate us.
Angels nor principalities: The rabbis in the first century taught that the angels were hostile toward human beings. It was said that they were jealous of our relationship with God. Paul means that even if you believe that, there is no angel that can separate us from the love of Christ.
Things present nor things to come: It doesn’t matter if time passes from age to age and it doesn’t matter if this world fades away because it can’t keep us from the love of Christ.
Height nor depth: These were astrological terms. The ancients believed that they were dominated by the stars and that the planets were also. When “their” star was at its peak (height) then that is when it had its greatest influence. There is no star or influence from the spaces that can separate us.
Nor any other created thing: That word other can mean different. Even by some wild chance there was a different world to pop up in the universe (and some say that there are other universes) we would still be safe in the love of God in Christ.
God is our strong salvation. There is none who can overcome us.
The love of Christ surpasses all knowledge.
Only you can turn away from God's love. No one/no thing else can stop you from having a saving relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.