“…who can be against us?” Romans 8:31b

Fully devoted followers of Christ are iconic in their faith, being transformed into the likeness of their Savior, full of grace and truth (vv. 29; John 1:14). Just as God provided for His Son, Who had no place to lay His head (Matthew 8:20; Luke 9:58), Paul showed first century Believers that God would supply their need as well. He presented questions which, at their core, allowed the Roman Christians to understand the strength of The One in Whom they trust:

“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?”

Just as Jesus was given power to heal, feed, and deliver those in spiritual bondage, so the children of God are given power to do the same. The apostles were promised to receive power from The Holy Spirit to do the things they had seen Jesus do – and more (John 14:12-14). Should those who walk by faith today receive any less?

Perhaps one must first exercise the faith muscles of discipline in prayer and time in God’s Word to awaken to the certainty that God can and will work through those He calls and transforms. When God is working through His child(ren), is there anything that can hold them back? Who can be against us? Well… to be frank, anyone and everyone who rejects God’s righteous precepts will be against those who stand for Christ. We can expect to be treated the same way He was treated – beaten, falsely tried, and crucified.

So, what was Paul really trying to say? That Christians should view this life with an eternal perspective. Though everyone may be against us, if God is for us, any possible opposition is rendered powerless when we are working out God’s purposes - like a bully turning away from his target when a tougher adversary appears on the scene to defend the target. It’s not that we will never be targeted by the bullies of political correctness, peer pressure, or ‘controllers’. Faith-walkers can stand upon God’s truth, speak the truth in love, and point hearts to Christ.

As a teenage boy, David was a shepherd, protecting the sheep herd from predators like bears and lions (1 Samuel 17:34-36). Those experiences prepared him for the moment he would face Goliath (1 Samuel 17:37; 41-50). We see then, that the question, who can be against us, is posed from a perspective of strength and confidence.

Christian, when we step into the fray of life, do so expressing God’s love while standing for His truth. Do not be surprised if the world abuses you, just as Christ was tortured and abused. Live confidently in the blessed hope that God is working all things out for the good to those who have been called according to His purposes!

Have a blessed day…