"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" vs31

Who can be against us? This is the question that Paul asks, when God’s purpose of grace is revealed. Who will stand against a people and their God, when he is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of sinners, who saves according to purpose?

We are not fighting in our own strength. We have Christ. When he said to the disciples, “Let us cross over to the other side,” he meant it, and nothing can stop it - not storms, Satan, or our own unbelief [Mark 6:35-40]. He knows his grace will deliver. He’ll arise and rebuke the storm. He’ll make sure that we make it.

Speak to yourself concerning the gospel. Remind yourself that you have the immutable God on your side. He will never turn against you. He will save. Everything works together for your good, because you’re predestined to glorification [Rom 8:30]. Let Satan fight, calamities come, and discouragements bombard us. Nothing will take away God from being our Protector, Redeemer, and Friend. We are comforted that he is with us. Are you not secure in Christ and hopeful? This is our inheritance by grace.

Secondly, with Christ, the Lord gives us all that we need. Romans 8:32 - "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" He holds back nothing. When he gave up the Son, he gave the best, his own equal, who submitted himself unto the curse. The great love of God to give up One so gracious, loving, and perfect is unfathomable. He gave up Perfection for sinners. He gave his Son to save us.

Therefore, God won’t deny us anything that’s for our good. Don’t worry about, “No.” Ask the Father for whatever you want, and he’ll give what’s best. John 15:7-8 - "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." If he says, “No,” it’s because of his love and wisdom. If he grants, it’s not unreasonable, because he’s already given the Best.

I heard an excellent illustration by a pastor. He said,

“I only have one daughter, and she means a lot to me. A young man was dating her, and we approved. Eventually, he asked for her hand in marriage, and I said, “Yes.” Soon, I invited him for dinner. After eating, I took him to the safe, and showed him all the papers - life insurance, investments, etc. Everything I have. I gave him the keys and the combinations. He said, ‘This is too much.’ I said, ‘I’ve given you the BEST I HAVE, when I gave you my daughter. None of this means anything to me in comparison.’”

The lesson is plain. Ask God for holiness, and he’ll give, because of Christ. Nothing will be withheld. Are you in pain physically? Get medical attention, and call on the Lord. He will not give you one drop of unnecessary suffering. Have you been through a divorce, and need grace to face your church family, and grace to rejoice? He’s called you to peace, and he will give it. 1 Corinthians 7:15 - "But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace." Are you alone at a job or in a family, and you’re persecuted for Christ? Take heart. God will give sustaining grace. Have you fallen, and you can’t get up? Welcome, poor sinner, welcome! You’ve come to the right place. For Christ’s sake, God will give you cleansing. Do you need money? Go to work and seek work, but know that God can easily provide for you. If he gave his Son as a burnt offering to be consumed mercilessly under his wrath, then he can give you a job, as needed. Do you lack assurance? God will give it. Keep your eyes on Christ, and obey him, as one forgiven. Do you have fears? Don’t worry. Could God give you Christ, and turn his back? Never. How shall he not freely give us everything, if he’s given us Christ? He’d sooner leave his throne to die than to allow you to perish. Take heart, and be strong. If things aren’t going your way, it is not a lack of God’s love. It is ours to believe him amidst great difficulty, and to thereby honor God. Believe your Father’s generosity. He’s proven his love and faithfulness, and he will do you good.

Thirdly, God is the One that makes us righteous. Romans 8:33 - "Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies." He did so by the Son giving up his life, and by giving us faith. Ephesians 2:8 - "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God," The transaction is all of God. Therefore, it is accepted in the court of heaven. Our sins have been paid in full, so God can forgive by faith, which brings him glory. Romans 3:27-28 - "Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law."

We don’t add our work or our feelings. We bring no extra, lest the work of Christ be rejected, polluted, and stained [Malachi 1:14]. Instead, we believe that he’s done enough, and we are saved, because he says so!

When I first learned the gospel, it came down to this: I knew Jesus was Lord and Savior, and God raised him from the dead, because he accomplished eternal redemption for God’s elect. I sat thinking, “How can I get in on this?” Right then, the preacher said, “It is for all who believe.” Suddenly, scriptures ran through my mind:

Romans 9:33 - "as it is written, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.""

Romans 10:11, 13 - "For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." ... For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.""

Faith was finally clear to me. Before, I was trusting “christ” plus my sincere efforts and knowledge, which is no salvation. I didn’t know my polluted offering, which is my best effort, was not enough [1 John 1:8; Isa 64:6]. I didn’t know that I couldn’t touch the Ark, lest I die [2 Sam 6:6-7]. When I saw Christ’s finished the work, however, I didn’t need to do anything. I had no additions to make. God was already satisfied. What he demanded wasn’t from me, but from his Son. I simply needed to believe that by believing I’d be saved. I said in my heart, “I believe. Therefore, I’m saved. I’m elected, and I have the inheritance!”