Romans 8:31-39

v Under grace there is assurance, 8:31-39.

In Rom. 1-8 and especially in Chapter 8m we have been climbing among the majestic peaks of God’s provision.  As high and lofty as each of the mountains of God’s provision are, we only now come to “The Grand”, the apex of God’s grace for His children.  This is a summary, answering the initial question, “What then shall we say to these things?”  The Spirit uses three rhetorical questions to exalt the gracious God who provides “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3).

·        If God is for us, who can be against us? (v31-32)

For many people who come to Christ by faith out of a background of abuse and hatred, the truth that amazes them is this: GOD IS FOR THEM!  The God Who was their Judge is now their Father.  His goodness known no limit: if He spared not His own Son will He not with Him freely give us all things?  If God is for us, that is enough.  (To appreciate this even more meditate on Psalm 73, esp. v25-28.)

·        Who is he that brings a charge against God’s elect? (v33-34)

The answer is “no one.”  But it is the reasoning that is so magnificent.

1.      Because God justifies (declares righteous).  God is the Judge who pronounces the sinner guilty.  So when He pronounces the believer righteous in Christ, there is nothing anyone else can say.

2.      Because Christ died.  He took our sin and punishment, satisfying the wrath of God.

3.      Because Christ is risen.  Our new nature is tied to His resurrection (Rom. 6:9-11).  If Christ is risen, never to die again, then we are secure in Him.

4.      Because Christ is at the right hand of God.  He is at the place of majesty and blessing.  His provision has been accepted by God the Father.  He is seated, reminding us that His work is finished (Heb. 10:11-13).

5.      Because Christ makes intercession for us.  Jesus lives forever as the eternal provision for our sin.  He prays for us, that our faith will not fail (Lk. 22:32), that the Father will keep us (John 17:11).  Though we sin, He is our Advocate (1 John 2:1-2).

Before moving on note that this assurance of “no condemnation” does not depend on what the believer does but what God does.  In each of the five phrased either God or the Son of God are the subject.  What grand grace!

·        Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (v35-39)

Remember that Rom. 8 has made it clear the believer lives in a fallen world, groaning for God’s deliverance.  Paul himself knows this, that trials are part of life (all the day long), especially for the believer standing for Christ.  But none of those trials separate them from Christ’s love.  This is so valuable to know in difficult times: God loves us! And not only do we conquer (God keeps us through hard times); we grow.  The trials are, in fact, for our good and are the context in which we are conformed to Christ’s image. 

Thus Paul can conclude: there is nothing related to life, to the spirit world, to time, to space, nor anything in creation that has the capability to separate us from God’s love.  God’s abundant grace is available to His children, and He will not withhold it from them.  Is your spirit lifted high as you think about this?  Give God the praise He deserves.  Then yield yourself to Christ that you might live under grace.