More than Conquerors - Part 2

Being secure

Last week's column looked at:

Romans 8v37
... we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

This week, we examine the first condition that Paul identifies in the context of that verse for actually living like a conqueror. This condition is:

Being secure -
Knowing that we are chosen and that we will persevere

At the start of the context of this verse (Romans 8:28-39) Paul says:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Thus:

• We KNOW that in all things - even in trials - God is working for our good.
• We KNOW (or we can know) that God has called US to be His.
• We can KNOW that He predestined us to be brothers of Jesus Christ.
• We KNOW that, having been predestined, we WILL one day be conformed to the likeness of Jesus.
• We KNOW that because we were predestined, God called us.
• We KNOW that because He called us, God justified us through faith in the redeeming blood of Jesus.
• We KNOW that He has glorified us - He has already raised us with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6).

In the light of these truths, Paul then asks four rhetorical questions in verses 31-34:

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died - more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

The whole point of rhetorical questions is that the answers are supposed to be obvious. Here they are:

• Question 1: ...If God is for us, who can be against us?
• Answer 1: No-one can effectively stand against us!
• Question 2: He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
• Answer 2: Yes, of course God will give us everything that's good for us!
• Question 3: Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?
• Answer 3: Satan can accuse us all he likes but none of his accusations will stand up in court!
• Question 4: It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns?
• Answer 4: No-one! Romans 8:1 says "There is now no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus".

If we have truly been saved, we can have full assurance of our salvation.

If we really believe the teaching presented in Romans 8, and apply it to ourselves, we will manage our trials so much better.

Ask God to help you! Pray that God gives you the grace to fully believe His precious word.

• God is for us.
• There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
• In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.