Sunday, August 7, 2016 Lesson: Romans 8:28-39; Time of Action: 56 A.D.; Place of Action: Paul writes from Corinth Golden Text: What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31). I. INTRODUCTION. God s love is one of the greatest themes of the Bible, and it is something with which we can identify since we too are capable of giving love. It s God s desire to freely give us many good things. However, this does not mean that growing up in God s family will always be an easy thing. Our lesson this week gives great attention to God s loving purpose for us, and is set against the backdrop of life s difficult times. But no matter how tough times may get, the good news for all believers is that we are truly safe in God s love.
II. LESSON BACKGROUND. After giving a complete teaching on the doctrine of justification and sanctification in chapters 3-5, the Apostle Paul in chapter 6 expressed how Christians are identified with Christ. In chapter 7 he discussed the conflict between our two natures, the spiritual and the carnal which he continued through chapter 8. In Romans 8:26-27, Paul declared that sometimes we don t know what to pray for and in those instances the Holy Spirit acts as our Intercessor. The apostle made it clear that the Holy Spirit groans with us and feels the burdens of our weaknesses and suffering. Jesus also groaned when He saw what sin was doing to mankind (Mark 7:34; John 11:33, 38). But the Spirit does more than groan for us. He prays for us in His groaning so that we might be led into the will of God because we don t always know God s will. We don t always know how to pray, but the Spirit intercedes so that we might live in the will of God in spite of suffering. In other words, the Spirit shares the burden. This is where our lesson begins. III. ASSURANCE OF GOD S WORK (Romans 8:28-30) A. The believer is assured of God s work in the present (Romans 8:28). Our first verse says And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. We may not always know what to pray for
when we are going through difficulties, but Paul declared that there is one thing we do know. We know that all things work together for good to them that love God. The word know refers to an assurance that one has. No matter what we are going through, heartaches, pain, persecution or any trial or struggle, the believer s assurance is that all things work together for good. In other words, even though things may not always turn out the way we want them to, we have the assurance that God is actively working out His plan in our lives. However, we should never conclude that everything that happens in our world is God s direct will. That would make Him the author of evil. But even when bad things happen, God can bring good out of them. We must take note that this promise is only to them that love God. Unbelievers don t have the assurance that life s problems and tragedies can serve come greater good. Note: Even believers must recognize that the good may be the greater good of the kingdom of God and not necessarily for our personal good. A case in point: I m sure that Stephen s family grieved because of his death (see Acts 7:59-60), probably wondering what good was it. What they didn t know was that a young man named Saul was greatly affected by these events (see Acts 22:20). Of course, Saul was the man who wrote this letter to the Romans and became known as Paul. The apostle added the phrase to them who are the called according to his purpose. He added this to elaborate more on the phrase them that love God. Those who truly love God have been called by God to serve His purpose. The word called refers to those who have responded in faith to God s invitation to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and
Savior (see Acts 2:39; Romans 10:13). Note: God works in all things not just isolated incidents for our good. For sure this does not mean that everything that happens to us is good. Evil is everywhere, but God is able to turn every circumstance around for our longrange good. God isn t working to make us happy, but to fulfill His purpose. As Paul noted, this promise is not for everyone. It can only be claimed by those who love God and are called (have received Jesus Christ as Savior) according to His purpose which may be filled now or in the future. Those who are called trust in God and not in life s treasures; they look for their security and safety in heaven not on earth; they learn to accept, not resist pain and persecution, because God is with them. B. The believer is assured of God s work in the present and future (Romans 8:29-30). 1. (vs. 29). Paul continued to say in this verse For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. The phrase For whom he did foreknow refers back to those who love God and are called to fulfill His purpose. These are those who are saved and Paul said that God did foreknow them. The word foreknow means that God personally knew those who would come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ even before the world was created (see Ephesians 1:4). Not only
did God know beforehand who would accept His invitation to salvation, Paul said he also did predestinate (them) to be conformed to the image of his Son. The term predestinate means to mark out or determine beforehand. Note: Predestination includes all those who are saved as well as all other acts and events in the universe, both good and evil (see Acts 4:27-28. Within the complete predestined plan of God, there are two classes of decreed events. First, there are events that are divinely caused, such as salvation. Second, there are events that are divinely permitted. To say that God predestined or predetermined the evil acts does not mean that He caused these acts because that would make God the author of evil. Instead, it means that God foreknowing how men will act under various circumstances, determined beforehand to allow them to act. This would make those acts of evil certain to come to pass as part of His total plan, yet leaving all men fully responsible for those acts (see Luke 22:22; Acts 2:23). Paul was saying that God predetermined or decided beforehand that His ultimate plan for believers was that they be conformed to the image of his Son. In other words, God s predetermined end for all Christians is to be like Christ (see I John 3:2). The ultimate purpose of God s predestination is to have a multitude of believers who are just like Jesus. The divine purpose in predestination is that Jesus Christ might be the firstborn among many brethren. The word firstborn refers not only to time but also to rank and supremacy. It is God s predetermined plan that Jesus, His Son would be the First in the kingdom with many brothers. Note: The believer never needs to
faint in times of suffering and trials because he knows that God is at work in the world (Romans 8:28), and that He has a perfect plan (Romans 8:29). God has two purposes in that plan: our good and His glory. Ultimately, He will make us like Jesus Christ. Best of all, God s plan is going to succeed. It started in eternity past when He chose us in Christ (see Ephesians 1:4-5). He predetermined that one day we would be like His Son. Predestination applies only to saved people. Nowhere are we taught that God predestines people to be eternally condemned. If they are condemned, it is because of their refusal to trust Christ (see John 3:18-21). 2. (vs. 30). In this verse Paul said Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Paul was about to give his readers the progression or stages that God had predetermined that believers would go through in order to reach complete sanctification or become just like Jesus. The word Moreover can mean in addition or not only. Paul was saying that not only did God predestinate those who love Him, but He also called them. This refers to when we accepted Christ as our Savior. Then those God called them he (God) also justified. The word justified means not guilty. At the moment we accepted Jesus as Savior by faith, God also found us not guilty of our sins. We were not innocent because we were sinners, but still God declared us not guilty. Then those whom he (God) justified, them he (God) also glorified. The term
glorified looks ahead to the resurrection of the body when believers will be changed (see I Corinthians 15:51-52; II Corinthians 3:18) to conform to Jesus image (see I Corinthians 15:43-44; Philippians 3:21; Colossians 3:4; I John 3:2). Note: Glorification of the believer is a future event. However, Paul used it in the past tense glorified just as he did called and justified. This means that God s work of salvation stretches from eternity past when God foreknew believers to eternity future when His work will be finished and we will be glorified. By presenting our glorification in the past tense, Paul was indicating that in God s eyes it s already done (see Philippians 1:6). IV. ASSURANCE OF GOD S PROVISION (Romans 8:31-34) A. The believer is assured of God s provision of all things (Romans 8:31-32). 1. (vs. 31). In this verse Paul says What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Paul wrapped up his thoughts by asking and answering a series of questions. In this verse, he asked his readers What shall we then say to these things? This question can also be put this way: What can we ever say to such wonderful things as these? The words these
things no doubt refer back to verse 30 and his discussion of predestination. Paul was overwhelmed at the thought of all God has done for the believer: our calling, our justification and finally our glorification. Therefore, his question can be put this way: What can we ever say to such wonderful things as these? The apostle then answered this question declaring If God be for us, who can be against us? The word If here should be understood as since. Paul meant that since God is on the side of believers, which is proven by predestination, no one can successfully oppose us. Any opposition the believer may face is nothing in light of the fact that God is for us. With such favor bestowed on us, we have nothing to fear because we are completely safe. 2. (vs. 32). The Apostle continued to say in this verse He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? To illustrate that God s grace is more than showing kindness toward us, Paul declared He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all. We see the ultimate evidence of how great God s grace is in His willingness to give the life of His own Son, His only begotten Son (see John 1:18; 3:16; 3:18: I John 4:9) for the sins of the world. Out of love for us, God went to the unspeakable length of sending His beloved Son to live on earth and suffer our punishment for sin. Knowing all of this, Paul then asked his readers how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Since God was willing to give His very best for sinners, Paul s conclusion was that God will also freely give us all things. In other words, since God didn t spare His own Son, Paul asked, is there anything
that He would possibly withhold from believers that we might need in living victoriously for Him? The answer is, of course He won t! God will never withhold anything from us that would benefit us (see II Peter 1:3). He graciously gives us everything we need and more. B. The believer is assured of God s provision of righteousness (Romans 8:33). Paul asks and answers another question in this verse. He said Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God s elect? It is God that justifieth. In other words, Paul was asking, is there anyone who could succeed in bringing any charges against God s elect meaning His chosen ones or believers. The Greek verb that is translated shall lay any thing to the charge was used of someone who brought an accusation before a judge. The same word is translated as accused in Acts 23:29; 26:2, 7. Our adversaries might hurl accusations against us, but they don t carry any weight whatsoever. This is because It is God that justifieth. In other words, the Divine Judge has already decided the case against Christians and their sin, and has justified or found us not guilty (see Isaiah 50:8). Therefore, anyone who questioned whether our sin has been pardoned was really bringing charges against God, who had tried our case and rendered a not guilty verdict. No human can undo what God has done. No appeal can be made to a higher Judge because there isn t one!
C. The believer is assured of God s provision of intercession (Romans 8:34). In this verse Paul asked Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Just as there might be some who would try to deny our salvation and accuse us of still being lost sinners, Paul also knew that there would be some that condemneth those whom God has justified. But just as no one can bring a charge against God s elect, neither can anyone condemn them (see Romans 8:1). This is because God s work in justifying the believer is based on four facts. First, It is Christ that died, that is He paid the wages demanded by our transgressions (see Romans 4:25). Second, Jesus is risen again. His resurrection is our assurance that His sacrifice was accepted and our sins have been forgiven. Third, Jesus is even at the right hand of God. This means that Jesus Christ, the Son of God is in the place of authority over the whole creation and therefore works providentially over it (see Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1). Fourth, Jesus also maketh intercession for us. In other words, Jesus is presently interceding for us as our Great High Priest (see Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:23-27). We can be sure that Jesus remembers us at the throne of grace in our most difficult circumstances (see Luke 22:32) just as He did while here on earth (see John chapter 17). Since Jesus did all of this for us, what possible effect can any opposition have on us in the end? Absolutely none!
V. ASSURANCE OF GOD S LOVE (Romans 8:35-39) A. The believer is assured of God s love through suffering (Romans 8:35-37). 1. (vs. 35). In this verse Paul went on to say Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Here, Paul asked his readers another question: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? The pronoun who indicates that no person is able to separate us from the love of Christ. This refers to Christ s love for the believer not the believer s love for Christ. Paul continued to list various trials that one might think could separate the believer from Jesus love. First, Paul asked shall tribulation separate us from Christ s love? The word tribulation comes from a Greek word meaning to press or to squeeze. It refers to outward and inward troubles that press against our bodies and minds. Distress comes from a Greek word meaning hemmed in or shut in so that escape is impossible. The result is a sense of anguish. Many people today are shut in by adversity. Persecution is suffering that is put upon us by others. Persecution was the experience of many in the early church. Jesus had predicted it (see Matthew 5:11-12), and Paul himself had often been the object of the Jews persecution for his faith (see Acts 13:46-50). Famine and nakedness refer respectively to a lack of food and clothing. Paul had experienced both of these (see II
Corinthians 11:27). Peril refers to all kinds of physical dangers (see II Corinthians 11:26). The word sword was a reference to violent death (see Acts 12:2). Note: Having experienced many of these trials himself, Paul was still assured that Jesus Christ didn t love him any less because of those experiences. The point is that no matter what happens to us, no matter where we are, we will never be abandoned by Christ or without His love. Suffering shouldn t drive the believer away from God, but instead help us to identify with Him more and allow His love for us to reach us and provide for our needs. Suffering in any way isn t evidence that Christ does not love us. Instead, it s one of those things that God can turn into good (see Romans 8:28). This is why Paul could rejoice in his sufferings (see Colossians 1:23-24) and encouraged believers to give thanks in everything (see I Thessalonians 5:18), and everything means everything! 2. (vs. 36). Paul goes on to say in this verse As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. The phrase As it is written means that what Paul was about to say came from the Holy Scriptures. As he did on many occasions, Paul now turned to Scripture to confirm that believers in Jesus Christ can expect, and will experience hardships because of our faith. This verse is a direct quote from Psalms 44:22. The apostle compared believers who faced persecutions and suffering as being like sheep for the slaughter. Just as the Israelites suffered in ancient times, Christians can also expect sufferings (see II Timothy
3:12). 3. (vs. 37). Paul continued to say in this verse Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Just in case any of his readers felt that their hardships meant that Jesus didn t love them, Paul said Nay, or no, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. The words in all these things refer back to those things mentioned in verse 35. No person or circumstances can change Christ s love for us. The Greek verb translated we are more than conquerors means to be super-victorious or to gain a surpassing or overwhelming victory. In other words, when it comes to the many trials we may face we are superconquerors. Paul declared that this kind of victory is won through him (Jesus Christ) that loved us. The word loved is in the past tense and points back to Christ s supreme expression of love for us that He demonstrated on the cross (see Romans 5:7-9; Galatians 2:20). It is only through Christ that we can be super-victorious even in the midst of opposition and difficult circumstances. B. The believer is assured of God s love through every conceivable challenge (Romans 8:38-39). Paul s purpose in our remaining two verses was to emphasize in the strongest language that Jesus love clings to the believer regardless of death, life, or anything else in the universe. 1. (vs. 38). In this verse, Paul said For I am
persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come. The word persuaded here means convinced and continues to be convinced. Paul began to list many things that he was continuously convinced of that could not separate him from Jesus love. First, he said neither death. The believer would never be cut off from Christ s love by death for He was victorious over death (see I Corinthians 15:55). Second, he said nor life. Nothing in life can interrupt Christ s love, for He is in us and His life is our new life (see Romans 6:4; Galatians 2:20). Third, Paul said nor angels. In speaking of angelic beings, Paul left open the question of whether he meant good or bad spirit beings. The designations nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers probably included all angels, the unfallen angels (those who remained with God) as well as Satan and his wicked host. Paul s goal was to show that nothing in the universe can cut off Christ s love from the redeemed. Fourth, Paul said nor things present, nor things to come. These refer to time. Nothing in the course of time, present or future can separate us from Christ s love, for God is the Creator and He is sovereign over time. 2. (vs. 39). In our final verse, Paul continues his list of things that cannot separate us from Christ s love adding Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Paul s final antithesis was Nor height, nor depth. In Psalms 139:7-12, David concluded that there was no place he could go to escape the presence of God. Paul s conclusion here was similar to
David s with respect to Christ s love for His own. Just in case, he left out something, Paul added the words nor any other creature. Therefore, he confirmed the universal truth that every redeemed person is eternally an object of Christ s love. Paul s point is that there s no person or anything anyone can think of or not think of in the entire universe that can keep the believer in Jesus Christ from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. This is the Father s love that is secured to everyone who is in Christ Jesus our Lord. In other words, the believer is enclosed by God s love which is Christ s love because we are in Christ Jesus (see Romans 6:3; I Corinthians 1:30; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 1:1; 2:6, 13; I John 5:20; Jude 1:1) who is our (the believers ) Lord. In this relationship with Jesus Christ, the believer can live without fear of condemnation (see Romans 8:1) from anyone or anything. Truly, we are safe in God s love. VI. Conclusion. In this week s lesson, we should rejoice in the fact that it is impossible to think that somehow God would stop loving us. For that to happen, God would have to cease to exist because He is love (see I John 4:8). Heaven and earth might pass away, but God cannot. The only safe place is in His eternal love. The doctrine of predestination reveals that God loved us before the foundation of the world, and even then He planned to send Jesus for our salvation. I can t imagine another place other than the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus or Lord (see Romans 8:39) that would be safer, in this life or in the one to come. Can you? I think not! ***The Bible Expositor and Illuminator, Union Gospel Press***