Last time I taught, I said we were going to take a look at fasting and we will. But this morning, we are back in Romans 8. I really do want to wrap this up. It has taken a bit of time and that has been by design. Not that I knew exactly how long it would take, but knowing the density of the content in this epic chapter, I knew it would take a bit. 

Well, we come to the last section in which there are a number of questions that are asked. And the first question asked in verse 31 is one we love. For one, I think we all understand that it isn’t really a question looking for an answer. It’s a rhetorical question… so it’s a question that actually makes a point.

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

What is the point Paul is making? Well, it’s clear. For those who are in Christ, make no mistake, God is for you. And if God is for you, who can be against you? This question could be made into two connected prepositions: God is for you. Therefore, nobody can be against you. What a truth. The God of the universe for you!

Think about the audience and time in which Paul wrote this. Paul wrote this letter to Christians living in Rome in about AD 57. Which means Nero was the emperor. Not a good guy. The first official persecution of Christians under Nero wouldn’t start for a few more years (AD 64), but many of the Christians who Paul wrote this letter to would certainly live to see and be martyred in the midst of it. Many who were fed to wild beasts in the stadium or lit on fire for entertainment. And Paul wants them to know, “If God is for us, who can be against us”. Nero will come against you, but in an ultimate sense, he cannot touch you because God is for you!. 

I am reading again the great book The Hiding Place. I would strongly suggest that you read it if you haven’t. The story of Corrie Ten Boom, her sister, and father hiding Jews in Holland from their certain death at the hands of the occupying Nazi forces. There is a place in the book where Corrie indicates that they had considered stopping the work because it was getting dangerous. And listen to what Corrie wrote - this soon before they were caught. 

That night father and Betsy and I prayed long after the others had gone to bed. We knew that in spite of the daily mounting risks we had no choice but to move forward. This was evil’s hour: we could not run away from it. 

It is the truth that God is for us which can produce the strength and fortitude to withstand the pressure to compromise or give in. The Ten Booms understood this. It didn’t stop them from being caught and suffering at the hands of the Nazis. But God was for them.

We live in an evil hour. It’s not hard to see. We want to have the same courage born of conviction. The easiest thing for us to do would be to keep our mouths shut, to mind our own business, and just go with the  flow. But our Lord has not called us to that. In the evil day, we are to stand firm (Ephesians 6:13). And we can only stand firmly secure, confident, joyful, and bold if we know that God is for us.

In fact, I think the root of the insecurities, fears, and anxieties that plague many Christians is probably because people doubt this truth. There are actually theological systems that breed such insecurities. It’s kind of baked into the system. In fact, if you get a little too secure in God and your salvation, it is thought to lead to complacency. And so the focus is almost always on us: our performance, our zeal, our diligence in prayer and study of scripture, feelings of strong faith, and so forth. Of course, it works when we feel good about our performance. The problem is, when we don’t perform will. And how well is well enough. It actually ends up being like a treadmill. A lot of effort, but in terms of getting God on your side, you get nowhere. 

Well, this passage comes to the rescue. God’s children can rest assured that their Father is for them and nobody can be against them. And here is the key. Get your eyes off yourself and onto God. Look at who He is, what He has done. Of course, the Christian life is not without effort. But our confidence must be in God’s work; in His effort to do good on our behalf and save and keep saved. Martyn Lloyd Jones had a wonderful insight when he said that the gospel means “good news” not “good advice”. The gospel does not start with “You must do thus and so”, but rather “God has done all of this for you”. That is the point of our passage. So I want to answer three questions: 

1) What is the foundation of this truth that God is for us?

2) What does it mean that nobody can be against us?

3) How do I know if I am included in this?

First, let’s look at the unshakable, immovable foundation of this mighty truth, God is for you. 

The Foundation (v. 28-30)

To understand this, we need to follow the Holy Spirit’s logic. And I want to warn you, there are some things in this text that people, even Chrsitians, find hard to accept. It might step on your toes. It may mess with man-made traditions. Some things we will look at are viewed as somewhat controversial. But I have found over the years that the hardest truths for us to accept are often the ones we need most. Especially when the bible is fairly clear and we find ourselves pushing back against certain truths because it doesn’t fit with how we think things ought to be… it may be just what is needed for us. So what is the foundation of this confidence that God is for us. Before asking “If God is for us, who can be against us?” he asks, “What shall we say to these things?” What things? Because whatever things Paul is talking about, that is what we are looking for. That is the immovable foundation we need. Let’s read verses 28-30:

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

The emphasis is clearly on God’s actions and God’s ability. That is where our confidence must be derived. That must be the foundation we build on, or our foundation will eventually crumble. First, Paul deals with God’s activity in providentially governing the universe for the good of his people. We looked at this a few weeks ago, so we’ll be brief. What is the foundation of our confidence that God is for us? God works all things for the good of His people. All things, not some things. For our good, not just for his glory. It is for his glory. But all things are also worked for our good. And that’s in fact, what Paul focuses on. It all works for our good!

Second, Paul addresses His purpose and power to save and keep saved His people. Let’s step through verses 29-30. And I want you to notice how it goes from foreknowledge to predestination to calling to justifying to glorifying and it is God doing each of the actions.  Not only that, but it is the same group of people… there is an unbreakable chain. Let’s briefly look at each one of these words, and then take a step back and ask, “What is the point?”

Those whom he foreknew, he also predestined. The word foreknew. This is not describing God  foreknowing facts, but God foreknowing people. Do you see that? “Those whom he foreknew”. There is a huge difference. Some read over this and assume it is describing God as looking down the corridors of time and taking in knowledge of events and things that people will do. This is saying God foreknew people… individuals. The word know in the bible is so much more rich than the way we typically use it. At least in some contexts. Paul talks about being “known” by God (Galatians 4:9). To be known in this way by God describes God entering into a saving relationship with a person. The fact that God foreknows people means that he entered into a saving, intimate relationship with that person. This is something that happens in eternity, before the foundation of the world.

Those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to this image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers…

Predestination. This is the word that draws such controversy. But the reality is that every Christian believes in predestination. It’s a bible word. It simply means to decide beforehand. Or to ordain before. Predestined. Where there is disagreement is on what basis is someone predestined. Is it on the basis of what God sees a person will do (repent, believe, etc) or in the final analysis is it based on God’s choice. I believe the bible teaches the latter. Listen, the bible says that God chooses and that human beings are free agents who will be held responsible before God. Both are in the bible, and so we must not be forced to choose between the two. 

Now, notice what this says people are predestined to: “Conformity to image to Christ, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers”. Those who are in Christ were predestined, they were ordained beforehand to become like Jesus Christ - our elder Brother. We were predestined to bear the family resemblance, as children of God. And this is actually what Paul says in Ephesians 1:5:

[God] predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.

Those whom he predestined, he also called. The call is referring to something that happens in time, when the Holy Spirit awakens and draws someone to Christ… to believe in Him. Those whom he called, he also justified. This is the great truth recovered during the Reformation. To be justified by faith alone in Christ means to be acquitted, declared not guilty, and even more declared righteous in Christ. To be covered with the very righteousness of Jesus Christ. Those whom he justified, he also glorified. Now, this is fascinating. Because glorification is something that is still in the future. We will be glorified when Jesus Christ returns and we receive resurrected, glorified bodies. So how can Paul speak about it as though it has already happened? Paul can speak as though it is already done because of the certainty of it being done. In other words, if you are a Christian, if you are in Christ, it is so certain God will glorify you that it is as good as done. It is still in the future, but it is guaranteed. 

Did you see in each step it described what God does - the foreknows, predestines, calls, justifies, and glorifies. Did you see that? And did you see that it is the same group of people from one step to the next. Those whom… What is the point of all this? To get us to say with conviction. If God is for us who can be against us. Our God works all things for the good of those who love Him and are called. Our God has the power and prerogative to save and keep His people saved. If God is for us, who can be against us? That is the foundation of our confidence. 

Who Can Be Against Us? (v. 31b)

What shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

What does this mean? Certainly it does not mean that we will never suffer opposition. We are promised that we will, in fact. This does not mean we will never suffer loss. We have and do and will. It does not mean we will never stumble in sin. We do. 

So what does it mean when Paul says, “Who can be against us?” It means that nobody or nothing can successfully oppose or withstand or destroy us. God’s purpose in our lives will not ultimately be overcome. No person, host of demons, circumstances, no sickness, no accusation, nor even the threat of death itself can (and this is KEY) destroy our faith. But how? Is it because our faith is so strong? No. Listen, we want strong faith. But what causes our faith to grow? Is it looking within, looking at our efforts, looking at our growth? No. Our faith soars when we look to God. So who can be against us? Who or what can destroy the faith of the man or woman who has been foreknown, predestined, called, and justified? Nobody. Nothing.

And it is because our Father will keep us. This is security! This is our boast and confidence. I cringe and shudder when I hear people talk about how they will endure to the end because of the strength of their faith or their commitment or their experiences… or anything that has to do with them! What is our boast? Is it not the Lord? Let the one who boasts, boast in the faithfulness of our covenant-keeping God! It is the strength of Christ we anchor our trust in. Listen to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ:

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me,a is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30)

If God is for us, who can be against us? Nobody and nothing.

Am I Included?

How do I know if I am included in this? This is where people get tripped up. If God predestines, does it matter how I respond? Absolutely, 1000% it does! Okay, am I supposed to look back and pry into God’s eternal predestining plan and see if I am part of it? No. The point of this passage is not to drive us to endless speculation about predestination and foreknowledge. How it all works. The point is to get us to the place where we made this boastful declaration: “God is for me!” 

So how do I know that I am included in this? Charles Spurgeon tells the story of how he got saved. He was 15 years us and ended up at a different church than usual because of a snowstorm. The pastor was unable to make it because of the storm and so a deacon got up to speak in his place. Spurgeon said the deacon was unimpressive, not an intellect at all. But he opened to Isaiah 45:22 which says, 

Look to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God and there is no other.

The man then made a few comments. Then raised his voice and began to call upon the people present to look to Christ. He shouted “Young man, look to Christ. Look! Look! Look! You have nothing to do but to look and live!” And guess what? Charles Spurgeon did. And the rest as they say, is history. 

And that is what you must do. Today, look to Christ and live. Look to the cross, look at what he accomplished for you - total forgiveness, justification, adoption, eternal life! If you are looking to Christ, God is for you! He is working everything for our good. EVERYTHING. He foreknew you, predestined, you, called you, justified you, and glorified you (though that is still in the future). Obstacles will come. We will face trials. That is all promised. But God is for you. Therefore nobody and nothing can successfully be against you. 

May this be your security in an insecure world. May this be your joyful boast - maybe even a bit of swagger. May this produce confident courage to live for His glory - unafraid of the consequences. Look to Christ and confidently declare: God is for me! Who can be against me.

Let’s pray.