Question : Romans (8:31-37) What then shall we say to these things?

If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

Answer: Nobody. It’s the same way he spoke in verse 31: "If God is for us who is against us?" We said, "Well, lots of people are against us, but none successfully." We know that from verse 35. People can bring against us tribulation, distress, persecution, nakedness, peril, sword. But we have seen in Romans 8:28 that what men plan against us, God designs for us. So even when they think they are succeeding in ruining us, they are refining us. Even the devil himself (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).

That’s the same way Paul is thinking here in verse 33: "Who will bring a charge against God's elect?" Answer: Nobody. Well, yes, the devil accuses us in our own conscience, and even at times in heaven (Job 1:9; Revelation 12:10). Jesus promised us that people would speak evil against us falsely, and that we should rejoice when they do (Matthew 5:11). It was false witnesses and accusers who brought about the death of Stephen (Acts 6:13; 7:57-60). So what does Paul mean?

He means nobody can make any charge stick against God’s elect in the court of heaven. The chapter began with the words, "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." And it is coming to an end with the words, "For God’s elect no charge against them can stand."

The Remedy for the Paralyzing Effects of Charges Against You

O hear this, all you who grew up in homes where there was only charge after charge after charge against you, and almost never an encouraging word. Hear this, all you who are so burdened by your own self-indictments �?who seem to be wired to bring constant charges against yourself with oppressive and paralyzing effects. Hear this, you who rarely if ever say a positive, praising, thanking word, but criticize and murmur and grumble and gripe and complain till no one wants to be around you. Hear this: Romans 8, especially verse 33, is God’s remedy, God’s medicine, God’s cure for the paralysis that comes from charges against you �?whether from yourself or from other people or from Satan, and for the ugly, sinful side effects of being a cynical, self-absorbed, whining, critical person.

The remedy is the utterly undeserved, freely given grace of never being charged successfully with any fault before God. Who can make any charge stick against God’s elect? Nobody? Let yourself feel the force of that freedom! Feel the clean, clear, morning air of: All charges dropped. You’re in a courtroom. You know you are guilty. You are awaiting a terrible sentence. Your future is over. Then, to the gasps of the courtroom, the judge says, "All the charges against you have been dropped." This is not meant to make unbelievers in this room comfortable on the way to destruction. It’s meant to help all of you love the one who bought your freedom.

Who Is This For?

Who is it that can count on no charges? God’s elect. "Who will bring a charge against God's elect?" Why does he use that phrase to describe believers here? Because his whole design is to deepen our sense of unshakable security in the face of horrible suffering (vv. 17, 18, 35-36). So he uses a word that will call up all the glory of verses 29-30.

Who is it that that has no charge against them? Those who are foreknown �?that is fore-loved, chosen, elect �?and who are therefore predestined to be like Jesus for Christ’s sake, and who are therefore called from darkness to light and death to life and proud unbelief to humble faith, and who are therefore justified �?counted righteous in Christ �?and who are therefore glorified. This is what is true of God’s elect. God has chosen them and planned and performed their salvation. The point is unshakable security in the face of terrible suffering.

The God Who Justifies

Then after using the phrase "God’s elect" to call up all that unshakable saving work in verses 29-30, Paul focuses on one great act at the end of verse 33: "Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies." Out of all the five acts of salvation in verses 29-30 (foreknowing, predestining, calling, justifying, glorifying) Paul picks one to emphasize here: justification.

But, no, that is not quite right. In fact he does not focus on justification. He focuses on God who justifies. Notice carefully. It’s as clear in English as it is in Greek. "God is the one who justifies." He could have said, "Who will bring a charge against God's elect?" and then answered, "No one! We are justified." That’s true. But that is not what he said. He said, "Who will bring a charge against God's elect?" Then he says, "God is the one who justifies." The emphasis is not on the act but on the Actor.

Why? Because in that world of courts and laws where this language comes from, the acquittal of our judge might be overturned by a higher one. So what if a local judge acquits you when you are guilty, if a governor has the right to bring a charge against you? So what if a governor acquits you when you are guilty, if the emperor can bring a charge against you? So here’s the point: above God, there are no higher courts. If God is the one who acquits you �?declares you righteous in his sight �?no one can appeal, no one can call for a mistrial, no one can look for other counts against you. God’s sentence is final and total.

So hear this, all who will believe on Jesus, and become united to Christ, and show yourself among the elect �?hear this: God is the one who justifies you. Not a human judge. Not a great prophet. Not an archangel from heaven. But God, the Creator of the world and Owner of all things and Ruler of the universe and every molecule and person in it, God is the one who justifies you.

The point: unshakable security in the face of tremendous suffering (vv. 17, 18, 35-36). If God is for us, no one can successfully be against us. If God gave his Son for us, he will give us everything that is good for us. If God is the one who justifies us, no charge against us can stand.

Whose approval do you want? God says, "In Jesus Christ, my Son, I approve you. I count you righteous. I affirm you and love you as my holy child." How should this affect our feelings about the approval or criticism of others because of our faith? The answer is: it should make us free from fear. Free from craven people-pleasing. Free to need the approval of none and love the good of all. Free to forget about ourselves and be thrilled with God and a life of humble service and love �?no matter the cost.

Remember: God is the one who justifies. Fear the accusation of none. Love the good of all.

Yes amen, At times in our life it may seem such a small thing to just talk to your neighbor about the Lord ,yet means so much to the Lord. And than be with a group of people that you feel would not hear you if you spoke about the Lord , That it would just be best to not say anything at all, It may be the Lord lay something on you heart to say and it may be that the Lord wants you to show your love for him. We must remeber that it is through word and deed.That we must witness.

(Act 26:24) Paul was risking his life for a argument that was offensive to the Jews and unbeleivable to the Gentiles It was the same for Jesus  he receaved the same responce (Mark3:21, John 10:20 )  To a materialistic mind,it seems insane to risk so much to gain what seems to be so little. But as we follow Christ we discover  that things are temporary what this world and and all it has to offer is materialistic.

temporary possessions wont last and seem so small when compared to our eternal rewards with Christ Jesus. Prase God !

Mat 6:20

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

(Acts 26:26)

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we find in chapter 27;20 all hope was gone

 

27:20: And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

 

The storms of life is the same for us today as for them on the boat. it some times  becomes over whelming. That is when we must let our faith  and trust in God come to our rescue

For you see he has calm the storms in my life many times

 

Now come on  move into (Acts 27:21)

 

Paul didnt come to them saying I told you so. Yet telling them had they listened to the Lord they would not have suffered

You see some times our time is not Gods time ,our nature is to do every thing in our own time,.our way  now can you say amen to that? anyone ever done such a thing?

 

Let me tell you Ive been here. ,should have listened to the word of God told me by a man of God ,Went through rough seas but God  came through for me

Thank God for he has Folks that will listen and harken to his voice when we cant seem to hear itAnd will send them to tell us Praise God every thing gonna be alwright

My My My !

just beleive God . When he speaks

 

27:22: And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.

27:23: For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

27:24: Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

27:25: Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Paul believed God! next>>

 

 

 

28:3: And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. God had promised  safe passage to Paul and he would let nothing stop his servant the snake bit didnt harm him. Our lifes are in God hands to continue or end in his good timing,   God still had work for Paul to do. (Acts)28:6: Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god. These people were very supersititious ,and beleived in many Gods  Paul being unharned by the snake bit They beleived Paul was a God. A simslar situation is reported in (14:11-18 Act 28 :7-8 Tells us even as a ship wrecked prisoner Paul continued to minister. Is their any wonder that Gospel spread like wildfire. I beleive If I lived than and seen Paul come through all he had with his God taking care of him that if I were an unbeliever I would become a beleiver. (Act) 28:15: And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. Where did the Roman beleivers come from? Many Jews who lived in Rome visited Jerusalem,for religious festivals Some were present at penticost( act 2;10)    They beleived in Jesus and brought the message back to Rome, Also Paul had written his letters to the Romans before he visited there. The christians  openly went to the tavern (a place that provided food and lodging for travelers) to meet Paul and encourage him. we as believers should encourage one another . (Act ) 28:17: And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 28:18: Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. 28:19: But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of. 28:20: For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. Here we find Paul wanted to preach the Gospel in Rome. after all did preach in Rome the mesage to both Jews and Gentiles . You see God worked all things for good (Romans8:28) God will always make a way for us to do his work if we are commited in dong so. we may not be comfortable  as we are doing it  Yet God will provide the opportunity . Read on in chapter28 :22 Why were christian denounced in Rome? next....

 

Paul declared that salvation was being sent unto the Gentiles and they will hear while most of the Jews reject the message.    The Jews departed and reasoned among themselves.  Paul had the great privilege of preaching two years there in Rome about the “Kingdom of God.�?SPAN>  <O:P></O:P>

John 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.<O:P> </O:P>

John 3:4  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?<O:P> </O:P>

John 3:5  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.<O:P> </O:P>

John 3:6  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.<O:P> </O:P>

John 3:7  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.<O:P> </O:P>

Thanks to All . It has been a Great Study. May God Bless you all .

Ok next .... or should I say .........what is next?????

Sue