What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31, NKJV

Whose side are you on anyway?  It may not be a question we say out loud, but when we even ask it at all in a close relationship, something is wrong.  I've found that when group dynamics or family relationships are strained, it's often the result of feeling like we're not on the same team.  Something was said or done in a way that signals we're not pulling in the same direction with those we thought we could trust.  When that kind of uncertainty clouds our relationships with classmates, co-workers, or family members, we end up feeling like we're on an island, left to navigate life on our own without the support of others.  And that can be miserable.  Ah, but imagine the flip-side.  When we are convinced that the people closest to us are actually for us, with us, and committed to supporting us, that's when we feel invincible, isn't it?  The same is true concerning our relationship with God.  The quality of our lives hinges on how we answer this question: is God for us or against us?  I believe this is a question that the birth of Christ settles in the affirmative, and it's a question Paul tackles with a lawyer's intensity in Romans 8.

INDISPUTABLE EVIDENCE

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:31-32, NKJV

In Romans 8, Paul has already been declaring the certainty of the gospel -- our freedom from condemnation (v. 1), the hope of the resurrection (v. 11), the assurance of adoption (vv. 15-17).  In light of all these gospel realities, Paul asserts that God is undoubtedly FOR us.  When we're certain about this, then we can ask with a bit of healthy swagger:  who can be against us?  And for good measure, Paul uses the conclusion of Romans 8 to seal the deal so our security in Christ would never have to waver.  What evidence reveals that God is truly on our side?  Exhibit A:  God has given us His own Son.  The very fact that God "delivered Him up for us all" (v. 32) and handed Jesus over to the human race is indisputable evidence that God "so loved the world" (Jn. 3:16).  The One who was born as a Babe in Bethlehem and offered His life for ours on Calvary's cross is a guarantee that God will "freely give us all things" (Rom. 8:32) and graciously grant us all that's needed for life and godliness (cf. 2 Pet. 1:3).

DIVINE STANCE IN THE JUDGMENT

Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.  Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.  Romans 8:33-34, NKJV

In this pair of questions and answers, Paul uses explicit language associated with a court hearing.  While talk about charges and condemnation might make most squirm and feel uncertain about who is on our side,

Paul is setting us up for relief and rest by clarifying exactly how God relates to us in the judgment.  

God the Father justifies us, i.e. He declares our innocence because we've leaned on Jesus' righteousness.  On top of that, the Son of God Himself stands at the Father's right hand to intercede for us.  When our checkered past or troublesome present make us feel worlds apart from God, we can look to the crucified and risen Savior who advocates for our salvation.  If life ever makes us wonder whose side God is on, these verses underscore the reality that God is truly FOR us.  The divine stance in the judgment is always to justify and intercede for those who put their trust in Him.

INSEPARABLE LOVE

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:38-39, NKJV

If you have a moment, go ahead and read the entirety of Romans 8:35-39.  It's beautiful.  It's almost as if Paul is running out of breath to crescendo to this conclusion:  nothing can ever separate us from God's love!  The apostle who has endured more than his share of hardships mentions the entire spectrum of hardships here.  These are the kinds of things that could easily make one feel like God is not on our side...or that we're not on His side.  

But we don't need to fixate on that kind of relational insecurity.  

Instead in every single one of those difficulties, we can be embrace relational security with God and trust that we're more than conquerors because of the One who loves us through it all.  There is not anything in life or the cessation of it, not anything in the material world or the spiritual world, not anything now or in the future, not anything above or below us that could ever separate us from God's love!  Paul points to every end of every spectrum imaginable (and by inference includes everything in between), and wants us to be just as convinced as he is that none of that could ever drive a wedge between us and the everlasting love of God.

Friends, this Christmas, I invite you to be sure that God is for us and not against us.  The Advent of Christ resonates with Paul's persuasion in Romans 8.  When the Word became flesh to dwell among us, He allowed us to behold God's glory (John 1:14) -- the weightiness of who He is and how He interacts with us.  And what is the conclusion about the substance of who He is?  He is full of GRACE and TRUTH, favor that is for us and not against us.

🙏🏼 Prayer

Thank you Lord for your love that endures forever.  Please grow in me this steady assurance that You are for me, giving all for me, and loving me through all life's ups and downs.