God Is for Me! - Himalayan Heights - April 18 Readings: Romans 8:31-35 – If God Is for Us

Himalayan Heights: Romans 8

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  Romans 8

Though we are going to focus each day on a different portion of this wonderful text, read Romans 8 each day. If there are some Scriptures that are the Himalayas of the Bible, Romans 8 must be Mt. Everest! Starting with the affirmation that there is no condemnation in Christ, through the promise that all things work for the good of those who love him, and ending with the promise that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, it is one mountain peak after the other. We could do a year of daily devotions from this passage and not exhaust its glories, but we will settle for doing one week - seven days. 

In verse 31, Paul reaches the pinnacle of his argument, that last bit of climb to the peak. "What shall we say to these things?" What things? That God is working all things for the good of those who love God and that God has foreknown, predestined, called, justified, and glorified them.

The remainder of this chapter forms about four key questions Paul asks and answers. They are fundamental questions and the answers take us right to the peak of scripture's Mt. Everest.

Through the Bible Readings: Judges 19-21, Luke 12:22–34, Psalm 49:1–10, Proverbs 11:7-8

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: God Is for Me!

The Bible is not meant to be a book of theological speculation or intellectual examination. It is the revelation of God designed to change our lives. It is meant to be applied in reality. God's word is not just about changing our minds but changing our lives. He doesn't just want to alter the way we think but to transform the way we live.

So, having explored some of the most glorious truths we can imagine in verses 1-30, Paul asks a question in verse 31.

What then shall we say to these things? 

What is the right response to these truths? What difference do they make in our lives? To answer this question, Paul asks and answers four other questions, each one taking us a little higher into the glory of God.

1. Paul's first question goes to the heart of the fear and trembling so many of us feel in this wicked and rebellious world.

If God is for us, who can be against us?

The "if" there does not express doubt but assumes the truth of the condition. God is for us. He has taken us as his own and through Christ is for us. We are his and he works his purposes in us and through us. We are no longer the enemies of God but his eternal friends, his family. 

This God, who gave his Son for us will also graciously give us everything we need to live the lives he wants us to live and to prepare us for the eternity he has planned. He has it covered and he will work it out.

Whatever is going on in this world, nothing can stop the wonderful work of God in is. 

2. But, I'm such a sinner and I do not deserve what God is doing for me. 

Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? (Verse 33)

God is the judge before whom every human being must stand, the one who pronounces judgment and eternal doom. But he has pronounced that there is no condemnation for us in Christ. He has justified us so that we now stand righteous before his throne. No matter what accusations Satan or anyone else brings against you, remember that God has justified you, declared you innocent, and said there is no condemnation in Christ. 

3. No condemnation? Really? But I know I'm guilty and others are so critical of me. I feel so much guilt and condemnation. 

Who is to condemn? (Verse 34)

Jesus is the one who has the right to condemn us - the Judge of the living and the dead. But he isn't bringing condemnation, No, he is interceding for us at the right hand of the Father. Like the Spirit earlier in the chapter, Jesus is praying for us. 

4. And then we reach the summit, the top of the mountain. One more question. 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (verse 35)

The answer to this question will be examined in more detail tomorrow, but let's just give the simplest answer. Nothing. Not a single thing. Nothing in heaven. Nothing on earth. Nothing in the entire universe can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

So, my friend, God is for you. Instead of bringing charges against you, he has justified you. Instead of condemning you, Jesus Christ is interceding for you before the throne of God. And nothing in this entire universe - past, present, or future - can separate you from the love of Christ. 

You stand on the summit of scripture's Mt. Everest!

Thank you, Father, for all that you have done for us in Christ.

Think and Pray:

Have you processed these spiritual realities or do you live in the world's lies of condemnation and guilt?