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God Is for Us

Nearly every Christian knows the great, faith-sustaining truth found in Romans 8:28. “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (ESV). This amazing truth has brought hope to tens of millions, yet the context it appears in is even more amazing. 

Paul had just been writing about life in the Spirit. He says that the Spirit-life we have in Christ determines how we view every event of life. No matter how many trials come at us, we can know God is at work shaping every part of it for our good. Then Paul adds this amazing statement: “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 with him graciously give us all things?” (8:31-32). 

Paul is stating something vital he wants every Christian to know. “Can’t you see how easy it is for God to give you everything you need? He has already given you the costliest thing, his own Son to die on the cross.” What a powerful truth. God held back nothing to provide our freedom from all bondage, including his precious Son. Now the same power that raised Jesus from the dead resides in us, raising us to newness of life. God is saying, “I didn’t hold my Son back from you. I won’t withhold the power you need to overcome your crisis.” 

A lot of Christians have trouble grasping this. They see God as withholding blessings, not showering them. They think he blesses only certain people whose faith is greater than theirs. They step up their efforts to please him by sweating and striving, but this only makes them vulnerable to Satan’s accusations of “You’re not doing something right. Your walk isn’t good enough. Why else would all this be happening?” 

These lies are meant to color our view of God’s goodness and grace. Thankfully, Paul steps in with a list of the amazing things our merciful Father does for us. Note how many times the phrase “for us” appears. “Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (8:33-34). 

Finally, Paul offers assuring words to everyone who suffers. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (8:35-37). 

Overwhelming victory in the midst of our crises, what a gift for us!