The Apostle to the Gentiles wrote, “. . . all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). Then he informs us that the reason all things work for our good is because God uses all things to enable us to become what he wants us to be. How should we respond to this knowledge?
We are to conclude that “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (v. 31) and understand that “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?” (v.32).
If God is our personal ally, “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies” (v.33). He has chosen you and me even if others think us unworthy.
If God is on our side, “Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died– more than that, who was raised to life– is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (v.34).
He is merciful, gracious, and even now intercedes for us with the Father.
So are we going to give up and deny our faith? Will we let the struggles of this life deprive us of the eternal one? “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered” ” (v.35-36).
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (v.37).
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (v. 38-39).
May our own convictions be as strong and determined!
Our Father, thank you for your grace and mercy. Empower us with the strong determination to not let anything separate us from Christ and your love. Strengthen us with the assurance that you are on our side. This I pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for his alliance and refuse to break it,