Bible Studies

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“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” (Romans 8:31)
In light of the previous two verses, Paul causes us to ponder the truths he has taught. His conclusion is, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” The presumption is a combined and powerful hostility towards the believer in Jesus Christ. Forces will come against us to thwart all activity for the Kingdom, forces that will work against us to reach our eternal destiny, and forces that seek to steal, kill, and destroy us. The Scriptures declare that this is true. As we observe, we can confirm it is true, and by our experience in life, we know that it is true.
Certainly, our adversary, Satan, is against us. Lucifer is a powerful fallen angel whose mission is to deny God His right to the crown of His creation, man. The man who He formed from the dust by His hand, which He breathed life into, and commissioned to have dominion over the earth. The earth is in the domain of Satan, who feels that all upon it is his. Satan will use all of his force, malice, and skill in his hatred of man. Satan will use his army of demons and marshal them in opposition to any man who strives to live in obedience to God’s Word. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
The world that humanity lives in is also against Christians. The world will never forget what humanity inflicted upon it by falling to the serpent’s temptation in the Garden of Eden, causing the world also to be cursed. “Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it All the days of your life.” (Genesis 3:17) Neither will the worldly forget the Christian lives in a constant rebuke of their worldly passions of desire. “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.” (John 15:18-19)
We know better than any that our own heart is against us as we battle the heart’s desire every day. It is a battle that never gives us rest; it is an unending battle and will be so until we are rid of the flesh. “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
God is for us, and His purpose is to restore us, and He sent His Son to redeem us. This assurance claimed the fears and strengthened Abraham’s faith. “After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great.” (Genesis 15:1) The Christian believer has the assurance that in the trials of this life, Jesus will never forsake them. “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
God is on the side of His people and has established an everlasting covenant. “I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you.” (Genesis 17:7) Jesus, God’s Son, established a New Covenant to forgive our sins. “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:27-28) The Holy Spirit has come to lead us into all truth. “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” (John 16:13)
It is a fair question to ask, “who is against us?” The Law cannot be against us as our faith in Jesus has justified us. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1) Sin cannot be against us, not Satan, not men, not suffering, not death, and not condemnation because our sin has been forgiven. Our only fear is the sin of disobedience that grieves us and displeases our Lord. Three-hundred-thirty-five times the Scripture tells us not to fear. Once for every day of the year, God tells us not to fear. “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
Thomas N Kirkpatrick
First Baptist Church of Durant, April 10, 2019

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