“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” -Romans 8:31
It is a good time to recall that Paul’s line of reasoning is meant to encourage believers who are in the space of having been justified by God but still living in the infirmities of the flesh in hope of the bodily resurrection, the full realization of their redemption.
He has clearly articulated the work of Christ, the work of the Spirit, and finally, the work of the Father, in the loving redemption of the believer. And, although we may speak of the various works and aspects of our redemption in separate terms, they are inseparable. If one work has been accomplished (i.e., adoption), all of the have been (or will be) accomplished (i.e., propitiation, intercession, justification, calling, glorification, etc.).
Paul now raising the rhetorical question, “What then shall we say to these things?” In other words, what are we to make of all this work accomplished on our behalf? The answer is the most encouraging and affirming truth we could possess: “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Let us make a list in our minds or on paper. If God, the Creator and Sovereign Monarch of the universe, be for us, then there is no enemy, no scheme, and no weapon that could be raised against us that could possibly triumph over us.
We are safe; we are secure; and even if they kill us, we will not die!
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