CHAPTER 7

ROMANS 8:32-39. In this seventh and last section of our study of the eighth chapter of Romans we find a series of questions, answers and declarations on the grand subject of assurance. These verses (32-39) are the conclusion and summation of this portion of Paul's inspired version of systematic theology. And how obviously superior it is to that of our own. And so in seeking to understand what we find here, we should in this place as in every other passage of scripture, seek the guidance of the one who moved both the heart and mind as well as the hand of this wonderful servant (slave) of our Lord Jesus Christ.

VERSE 32; "He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all." The ultimate demonstration of God's love for the world was the giving of His Son. We too measure love by gifts, an engagement ring, an anniversary present, some special occasion, birthday, a graduation and so forth. The cross was the place and the occasion was the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. The argument is made here that if the Father has already given us His Son then why would He then withhold from us whatever He deems to be in our best interest.

VERSE 33; "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?" Who could? Who would be able? If the sins are paid for, if they are gone, if they have been carried into the wilderness by the effectual ministry of our scapegoat who is Christ, then how can anyone, or anything bring against us a charge that will hold up in the court of Heaven. Only one could! God, but wait He is, "the one that justifieth". Amen! God would not both justify and bring a charge against the believer at the same time.

VERSE 34; The argument continues here, "Who is he that condemneth?" Will Christ condemn those for whom He had died and forgiven, but not only died but risen again to give them life. Will the one whom scripture positionally places at the right hand of the Father, the very one of whom it says, He intercedes on our behalf, suddenly change His mind and authorize our condemnation? How can any saved man, in whom dwells the Spirit of God, read this word (Bible) and conclude anything other than the obvious. "The just shall live by faith."

VERSE 35; Now as Paul considers the question in hypothetically form; what could possibly separate the child of God from the Father? The creation from the creator? Now that sin is gone and the believer has been redeemed by the blood of Christ, what is there left in all of creation that might sever the relationship, and thereby separate again the Divine lover from the object of His love.

VERSE 36; "As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. " It is not God's promise that His children will avoid the fire, but that they will survive it and emerge from it. And consider it to have been nothing more than reasonable service (Rom 12:1).

VERSE 37; "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us." Notice he said "in all" not around all. No, in all of these things here mentioned, and all of those possibilities not named we who know Christ by faith are more than just conquerors, winners, and victors. How is it Paul that we are more than a conqueror? What is it that we have done, what is it that we have kept ourselves from doing, nothing Paul would say, it is through Him who loved us our Lord Jesus Christ. That's the reasoning of Paul that lies behind Romans 8:1. That's how those wonderful, marvelous, eternal words can be said to such a worm as I. "Therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus."

VERSE 38; "For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come." Here he adds another seven possibilities for our consideration. Death, life, angels, principalities, powers, things present, and things to come. What is he saying? Nothing in life, nothing in death, no fallen angel, no principality of Satan's kingdom, no power, nothing in the present, and nothing in the future! Unto the praise of the glory of His grace!

VERSE 39; "Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creation, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord." If nothing can, and God's oath is that He will not, then should not the conclusion of Paul here in verses (32-39) cause us to rest in Jesus each day of our life of faith and then when the day comes for this tabernacle of flesh to be dissolved, we can know now for certain, as if we were there in His presence already. That nothing can alter, nor will it ever be able to alter or undo the fact that; "the just shall live by faith", faith in the finished work of God's Son and my Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH