What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 WEB
These encouraging words are some of the most quoted in all of scripture. Paul teaches in his letter in Romans 6:28, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose. WEB” God, who gave his Son as a sacrifice for our sin, is faithful to bring us through our suffering in this world and complete his efforts to conform us to the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
Paul directs these words at those who have accepted Jesus as Savior. They derive from the belief that God predestined us for adoption into his family. God knew us before we were born into this world. He had a plan for our salvation. God gave us to Christ to be his followers. As we read from the words of Jesus in John 6:37, “All those who the Father gives me will come to me. Him who comes to me I will in no way throw out. WEB”
He Believed in the Lord
Predestined for adoption, we are justified by faith in the sacrifice made by Christ on the cross. This means that God removed our sins by the blood of Jesus Christ. He declares the unrighteous as righteous because of our faith. God counts our faith as righteousness as he did with Abraham in Genesis 15:6 which reads, “And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. KJV”
Justified by faith in Christ, we will be glorified in heaven with our Savior. This means we will live eternally in the kingdom of heaven. Just as Jesus arose from death and returned to the Father, we too receive eternal life and glorification. As Paul writes in Romans 8:30, “And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. WEB”
Psalm 49:15 says, “But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. KJV” The concept of glorification was not new in Paul’s time. Jesus was, however, the first proof that the faithful had of glorification or the hope of eternal life.
Who Can Be Against Us?
This encouraged the apostle Paul to write, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” No matter what trouble we encounter here on earth, through faith in Christ we receive eternal life in heaven. Paul follows this statement saying in Romans 6:32, “He who didn’t spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things? WEB”
God’s sacrifice of his Son proves his love for us. If God is for us, we should not worry for anything. As Paul says in Romans 6:37, “No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. WEB”
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the gift of my salvation. Thank you for calling me, justifying me, and that I will enter into the glory of your kingdom. I receive you through faith. The glory is all yours. Give me wisdom to serve you on my journey to your eternal kingdom. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Do Not Judge
