This morning I felt like reading from Romans, chapter 8, what a great chapter. There is so much in this single chapter, we could probably spend the better part of a year, working through and understanding everything that Paul writes about in this chapter. I am going to focus on the end of the chapter this morning as this is very much in line with the main theme of my prayer lately, namely God's favor. Here are the verses - Romans 8:31-39 NIV:
[31]"What, then, shall we say in response 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, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. 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. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? [36] As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered 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 convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
In the verses before this section Paul was talking about God chose us and justified us. His logic continues into these verses, if God chose us and justified us, who can possibly stand against us and bring accusations? The term justification that He uses is speaking of the law which Jesus fulfilled completely. Since He effectively cancelled the law's effects on us, how can anyone go back to that law and bring charges or accusations?
Paul continues to drive this point home, as the whole of this discussion is founded on God's love for us. Earlier in the chapter he talked about the Father putting into us the spirit of adoption, and how He sees us as His son's and daughters, His heirs. He has done everything for us, because of His love for us. His love is what hold's onto us, not the other way around. His love is greater than anything else in the world.
I love verse 32, "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all---how will he not also, along with him (Jesus), graciously give us all things?" When we think about God's favor, it is evident in Jesus' love! His love for us, indicates His favor, His grace, His mercy, His compassion, His choice and His justification. It is His love for us that is foundation for everything else.
If God Loves you, who can be against you? The biggest hurdle many of us face is our own inability to believe this message. We try to disqualify ourselves for a number of reasons, but in truth none of those reasons stands a chance against the love of Christ. Let us work to still the lies and accusations in our own minds and hearts that are counter to this message of God's love.
Face the facts, He loves us, each and everyone of us. He died on the cross and by His blood purchased for us forgiveness from every one of our sins. If He loved us that much while we were still sinners, how would He ever love us less now that we know Him? It is all about His awesome love.
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