"If God Be For Us, Who Can Be Against Us?"

Romans 8:31

The world may smile upon us, or frown upon us; but we will not be moved, because God is for us! Men may endorse us, or oppose us, as they will; but we will not be shaken, because God is for us! We may be tempted by satan, troubled by men, tormented by our own sinfulness, or afflicted by God's providence; but we will still be at peace and worship our God with joy, because God is for us! How is God for us? Paul tells us that God is for us...

1. IN HIS SAVING PURPOSE (Rom. 8:28-30). In his great, eternal, unalterable purpose of grace, according to which he rules all things, God foreknew us. He loved us with an everlasting love and ordained us to salvation from eternity. He predestinated us to be conformed to the image of Christ. He called us his sons. He justified us by his decree. And he glorified us in his purpose.

2. IN HIS SUBSTITUTIONARY PROVISION (Rom. 8:32-34). God who spared not his own Son, but delivered him up to die for his own elect, will surely give us all good things for Christ's sake. Since Christ died for us, we are justified. No sin shall ever be laid to our charge! And we shall never be brought into condemnation!

3. IN HIS SOVEREIGN PROVIDENCE (Rom. 8:28). All who are born of God know, by the Word of God, the inner witness of the Spirit and the experience of faith, that all things, good and evil, prosperous and adverse, pleasant and painful, work together for good to God's elect. "There shall no evil happen to the just" (Prov. 12:21). Everything that comes to pass comes to pass by the hand of God for the glory of God and for the eternal good of all the people of God. There are no exceptions!

4. IN HIS SECURING PROMISE (Rom. 8:35-39). I am fully persuaded of these two things. We have the promise of God for them. First, in all things we shall be triumphant through Christ. And, second, nothing in heaven, earth, or hell shall ever separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

"What shall we then say to these things?" We can say neither more nor less than this - "If God be for us, who can be against us!" Child of God, grip this blessed fact with a double-handed grip of faith and live in peace with contentment. God is for us! Therefore, all is well!

Don Fortner