“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 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?” (Romans 8:31–32, KJV 1900)
Often in life, we come against people who are against us. Sometimes, no matter what you do, you will find one adversary that just seems to have it in for you. I ran into my fair share of this throughout my life. In grade school, I had to contend with the school bully. Later in the military, I had one commander that just seemed to have it in for me. In the ministry it is no different. I have experienced some of the most vicious email barrages one could imagine from parishioners. Even if we have never had an earthly adversary, we have one who is quite fierce, the devil, who “prows around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8, ESV).
With such adversaries, it is important to remember that we have the greatest advocate in God. Here Paul begins, in my opinion, one of the most encouraging sections of the New Testament. He presents several rhetorical questions. The first one, If God be for us, who can be against us?” He begins with this to make us think. Paul has just indicated that God had this awesome plan from eternity past for every believer, which He fulfilled perfectly. He goes on to explain that God did not even spare His own Son but gave Him up for us, speaking of His death on the cross for our sins. The point He is making is that God is for us. And since God is for us, what adversary can be against us.
God is completely on our side. He is for us. He alone is omnipotent and omniscient. No being earthly or in the spiritual realm is greater than He is. He has called us, justified us, adopted us into sonship, and is for us. Therefore, nothing can touch us. We are completely secure in Christ.
Paul understood this truth very well. During his ministry, he often came under attack from critics, scoffers and persecutors of the church. He held to this truth that God is for His children. He watches over them and will not abandon them, having perfect purpose in all things.
Renewing the Heart 