Romans 8:31   If God is for us, who can be against us?

Really, Paul? Don’t you know who can be against us? Lots of people! Former friends – like Judas was against Jesus. Relatives – even our very children or parents, as Jesus Himself warns us (Matthew 10:35-36).  Then add to that the political authorities, the religious authorities, as well as our neighbors and colleagues – it seems that everyone potentially is against us. So how can you ask such a question? Instead, shouldn’t the question be, “If I proclaim that Jesus is Lord, who won’t be against me?”

What’s that you say? Sure, I’ll keep reading. God has done what is hardest for us in sacrificing His Son – will He not then graciously give us all things? And who can bring a charge that will lead to condemnation against anyone whom God has chosen, who is in Christ? For Jesus is there, always making intercession for us, saying, “These wounds paid the penalty for those sins! They are covered!”

OK, Paul. So you’re saying no one can be against us in the sense that no one can take away the salvation that is ours in the new heavens and the new earth. If we believe in Jesus, if we are in Christ, then we will spend an eternity with Him. No opponent can change that.

Yes, that is a precious truth. And it indeed is some comfort. I didn’t mean to question that.

But, Paul, don’t you understand? I am hurting now. And as precious as that promise of future hope is, I still have to endure the pain of betrayal and opposition from those I love now. It still seems to me that your question in verse 31 is the wrong question. God is for me in eternity, but there are still many who are against me now.

Oh, I’m sorry, I was talking and didn’t hear you. Keep reading some more? Ok. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” Oh! Is that what you mean by someone being against us? “Who can be against us” means “Who can separate us from Christ’s love”? That must be what you mean for you then say: They might persecute us, they might make us starve, they might expose us to the elements, they might threaten to kill us, they might even fulfill the threat and kill us –  and they do! – yet we more than overcome all of this through the One who loves us.

So, Paul, even the worst things that happen in this life won’t separate us from the love of Christ? Not even torture and murder? Not even that? Praise God!

But, you know, there are these spiritual forces out there that are powerful – what about a demon, a fallen angel? What about Satan himself? Can he separate me from Christ’s love? No?

Well, even if I am in Christ’s love today, and He has overcome those powers that assail me, might not a greater power come along tomorrow to separate me from His love? No? Really? Nothing in all creation?

But there’s one more enemy to consider, my greatest enemy: What about myself? What if I separate myself from Christ’s love? If His love is dependent on my own faithfulness, I can surely be separated! Indeed, I certainly will be separated eventually!

Yes, I’m listening. Yes, I am a created being. Therefore I am in creation. And you said nothing in all creation can separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus if indeed I am in Christ, if I am God’s elect. Yes, I do remember that Jesus said: “This is the will of the one who sent me– that I should not lose one person of every one he has given me, but raise them all up at the last day” (John 6:39).

Ok, Paul. I see now how you endured so much tribulation – how you were sorrowful and afflicted and perplexed and persecuted yet you rejoiced in God through it all. You knew the love of God – you experienced the love of God in all of that pain. And to be in Christ – to know Him – to be loved by Him – was worth more than all the pain. Yes, I do see that this is what all the Old Testament saints knew: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4).

If God is for us, who can be against us? No one can condemn us, and thus separate us from His love for eternity; nor can anyone put up a barrier between God and us even now, even in the most severe trial.

Thank you for explaining that to me, Paul. I look forward to the next lesson.