Today, we come to the end of our series in Romans 8, and it is the grand finale! As we look at these final verses, we will see that we are more than conquerors not because of who we are but because of whose we are.
No Opposition
Romans 8:31 says, “What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” “These things” refer to what we looked at last week. We are more than saved, we are secure! Paul is not saying that because we are saved nothing bad will happen to us or that we will not face opposition, hardship, or pain. He is saying that nothing can stop the plan and purpose of God. No one can successfully oppose the one God is for. The Psalmist put it like this: “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us alive…” (Ps. 124:2). Following Christ brings opposition. The word conquer indicates a battle. The Bible does not deny that we have enemies, obstacles, and trouble against us, but compared to God who can be against us. It’s like all the kings joining together to fight against Joshua, but “The Lord said to Joshua, ‘Do not be afraid of them, because by this time tomorrow I will hand all of them, slain, over to Israel. You are to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots’” (Josh. 11:6). It is what Joseph learned in prison, Job learned in suffering, David learned against Goliath, Daniel learned in the lion’s den, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego learned in the fiery furnace. The One fighting for us is greater than the one fighting against us! Think about this: If God was for you before you were saved, He will be for you after you are saved! Verse 32 says, “He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything?” Who would give their son to their friend much less their enemy? The message is clear. God is FOR you. He is not holding back on you. There will always be those who are not for us, but God is for us!
No Accusation
“Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us” (v. 33-34). Satan is the accuser, but his charges cannot stand because we are protected by the crucifixion, resurrection, exaltation, and intercession of Jesus. Jesus promised in John 6:39, “I will raise him up on the last day.” To bring charge is a legal term. It means to indict or accuse. Our own hearts, friends, and enemies may accuse us. “Look what you did! You can’t be a Christian!” The devil comes to condemn us. Jesus came to forgive us. The devil, who would condemn us, can’t. Jesus, who could condemn us, won’t! Jesus is the only one who could, as the righteous judge, condemn us, but he won’t because He died for us. Hebrews 7:25 says, “Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them.” He is able to save completely. The ESV and NKJV say that we are saved to the “uttermost.” We are saved without a doubt, not because of anything we have done, but because of what He has done. No accusation against us will stand.
No Separation
Paul began the chapter with “No Condemnation” and ends with “No Separation.” Look at verses 35-39. Parents know what separation anxiety is. If a child loses their security blanket, pacifier, or stuffed animal they sleep with, you are in for a long night! “More” means hyper, super. We are super conquerors! Paul gives us a list of enemies that threaten or challenge to separate us through suffering. But God makes us more than conquerors in our suffering. The list given here was done so under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Paul personally experienced these things and the whole church would experience them under the state persecution of Rome. Nero brought the full power of the state against the church. Still, Paul said that we are more than conquerors.
Our love ebbs and flows. God’s love is unconditional. He changes not. It is Him who holds us fast. God has freed us from condemnation, given us life through the Spirit, adopted us into His family, is working all things together for our good, and has secured our place with Him in heaven. In all things, we are more than conquerors.
Works Consulted:
Eternal Security Can You Be Sure Charles Stanley
Truth for Life Romans 8 Alistair Begg
Preaching from Great Bible Chapters Kyle Yates
Lifeway Romans 8 Noe Garcia
David Jeremiah Study Bible: Romans 8
