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ROMANS - The Lord is our Righteousness
Studies in the Letter of Paul to the Romans
PART 1 - The Righteousness of God Condemns all Sinners and Justifies and Sanctifies all Believers in Christ (Romans 1:18 - 8:39)
E - Our faith Continues Forever (Romans 8:28-39)

2. The Truth of Christ Guarantees our Fellowship with God in Spite of all Troubles (Romans 8:31-39)


ROMANS 8:31-32
31 What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who didn’t spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things?

After Paul had clarified to us the series of God’s thoughts for our salvation and predestination that we might make sure of our choice, he presented a series of redemptive truths that we might know that God has established the salvation of the world on real historical events.

Paul was certain in his heart and infallibly assured in his mind that God was not his enemy, but rather his faithful friend who existed in him no matter what happened, and at all times. Moreover, he believed that the Almighty, Creator of the heavens and earth, is our Father. The apostle continued in the love of God, and honored the Almighty with complete faith all the days of his life. He considered all things as guidance of the love of his Father, and divine care of his Savior for him.

How did Paul obtain this full assurance, which could move mountains of sins, and raise millions of the dead in sins? The cross of Christ became to him a proof of the love of God. In the Crucified, he recognized that the kindness of the Holy One overflowed to us, for he gave his only Son as atonement for our malice that whoever believes in him should not perish.

Certainly God gave us who are disobedient and transgressors his heart, his heaven, and his glory in the coming of his Son. There is no other blessing in heaven, which God did not present to us in Christ, for he has given us all things in him. Where is your worship then? Why aren’t you giving your everything to him?

ROMANS 8:33-34
33 Who could bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

You may think that the salvation and promises belong only to the saints and ripe believers, while you yourself are but a novice, unsuccessful, shaky, and unclean. Be still and listen to the judgment of God on you. He made you righteous and justified, not because of your goodness or success, but because you believed in the crucified, were united with him, and expect from him alone the power of salvation.

You might have listened a little to the insinuation of the devil, which made you think that your silence was caused by the will of God. “No,” says the Holy Spirit. He comforts you in the deliberateness of God, depicts Christ crucified before your eyes, and reminds you of his resurrection from the dead that you may be assured that the reconciliation was effected, and that God accepted it. This Victor over death ascended to heaven. He intercedes for you before the throne of grace, and makes you a partner in the right of righteousness by his blood. Thus, you have an Advocate with God. You are not alone, my dear brother, because the mercy of God is with you, and its aim is to redeem you and not to destroy you. Christ is the guarantor of your salvation.

You may fear death. Yet, remember that Jesus overcame death and truly rose from the dead, and he manifested the life of God before our eyes. If you are regenerated, his eternal life dwells in you. It will not end, because the love of God never fails. Death cannot separate you from the Holy Trinity.

ROMANS 8:35-37
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Even as it is written, “For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” 37 No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Paul was not an imagining poet when he described to us the series and succession of the various troubles which he experienced. He testified to us that we should suffer for Christ, for faith in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit does not insure our security and well-being, as you may see from the biography of Jesus. He was born of the Holy Spirit, and was crucified by those who were possessed by the spirit of the world. Paul experienced poverty and riches, sickness and weakness, danger and persecution, adverse brothers, and the danger of drowning. All these were unimportant to him, because he knew the love and providence of Christ, which he regarded as greater than any temptation of despair. Thus, your faith will triumphantly appear even in the worst troubles, as well as in the hour of your death, for the Holy Spirit will increase your faith until you are transformed, and you enter into the school of God to learn meekness, trust, and praise in troubles. Then you become as a Lamb of God, following Christ. You bear everything without complaint, and die to your dignity and haughtiness. You do not consider the injurious statements of your neighbors important, but you rejoice, wait, and have patience in the power of your Lord.

All temptations and troubles cannot separate us from Jesus, for troubles teach us to pay attention to the word. Then we long for our Lord Jesus, who preceded us to the Father. He understands us, and does not leave us, but accompanies and strengthens us that we may see his great love and honor him with deliberateness, thankfulness, and kindness. The love of Christ leads us to a glorious victory, and we gladly serve in the midst of troubles and tears.

PRAYER: O holy God, you are my Father and your Son is my intercessor, today and in the last judgment, and the Holy Spirit dwells in me and comforts me. I worship you; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who is love. I believe that I will not die, because you surround me, keep me, protect me, and renew me. O God, keep me from all temptations that no sin may separate me from you, and that my love, together with the love of all the saints in the world, may never be moved.

QUESTION:

  1. How do Christians overcome troubles?

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