It's 2021 But 2020 Didn't Win
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31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Get On The Bus
Where is God When It Really Hurts- Phillip Yancey,
What is our position with God in the tough moments of life? For Paul, it is found in the very first verse of this passage:
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Today, the Steelers will beat the Browns. And some of you will wonder why. It’s because they are a superior stellar football team, and the Browns are.... well, the Browns.
The other night, The Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney,essentially gave Ohio State no chance. But Justin Fields and Ryan day had something to say to that. Didn’t they.
You know, and I know, that football is a game of chance- unless of course you are playing the Browns-. And Paul is stating the position of believers with Christ in this verse.
If God is for us, who or what could be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
This verse makes the fact that God is for us and our position with him make sense. God’s activity cost him incredibly. He did not spare his own son. Stop and consider that, parents.
When Abraham offered his son Isaac on Mount Moriah in Genesis 22, a substitute was found for Isaac.. Abraham got his son back without death.
But there was no one to substitute for Jesus. His only out was for the Father to spare him, but he didn’t. He paid that price.
And that cost is reflective of the fact that if we are his, as this scripture says, then He loves us incredibly and will give that son for us as well.
Jesus had to endure the cross. See 2 Cor 5.19
19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
Jesus was not an unwilling victim who was drafted into sacrificial service. He chose to do what He did . See Galatians 2.20
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
The question stands still. If God is for us, who can be against us?
33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.
No matter how hard one may try, they cannot bring charges against God’s people. His children. Christians.
But consider this…in Revelation 12.10
10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
No one can successfully press charges against God’s children. He tries hard, but it doesn’t take.
When David sinned, he logically pointed out that all sin ultimately is against God.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
Therefore, the only one with a right to press charges is God.
And Guess what? God will not do this.
And Guess why? Because as Paul says, God is for us and not against us.
34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
Who is it that condemns? The answer is only Christ, and He will never because he knows the all sufficient and all covering goodness of his own work on our behalf.
Note Paul’s answer in this verse:
Christ died and removed sin’s guilt.
Christ was raised to life and gives that life to those who trust Him for salvation.
See John 11.25
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
He was exalted to God’s right hand with all power given to Him in heaven and on earth.
He is praying for us at the throne of grace, in any situation. See Hebrews 4.4-16 and Hebrews 7.25
25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5 And again in this passage he said, “They shall not enter my rest.” 6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. 11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. 14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
So, when we suffer, and we do and we have and we shall.
When we suffer, and we do and we have and we shall....
Does God no longer love us? Has he abandoned us?
Has Christ’s love for us grown cold?
God the father continued to love Jesus even when Jesus went to the cross, and he continues to love us in every circumstance.
Remember John 16.33
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Look at Romans 8.36
36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
This is a quote from Psalm 44.22… it reminds us that believers have had suffering as their lot for ever, and their lot is not unique.
OT people were perplexed about their own suffering, but Christians trace our sufferings back to identification with Christ and should be counted worthy to suffer for his name.
SEe Acts 5.41
41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
Death. see Philippians 1.21 or 2 Cor 5.8
8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Powers. See Eph. 1.21 and Eph 6.12
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
The Christian wrestles against spiritual forces, we are in spiritual warfare… but the good news is found in eph 1.21
Jesus sits...
21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This is Pauls’ summary answer to the original question he posited back in 8:31… if God is for us, who can be against us?
Notice the answer.... nothing can separate us from the LOVE of God found in Christ Jesus.
Bottom Line:
Bottom Line:
The Price of My Salvation Reveals God’s Depth Of Love For Me
The Price of My Salvation Reveals God’s Depth Of Love For Me
It’s 2021 But 2020 Didn’t Win.
Nothing we face can be stronger than the love of God for me.
Not Cancer. Not Financial Hardship. Not Sin. Not even death itself.