Romans: Unshakable

Romans 8:31-39

Today’s passage, Romans 8:31-39, is one of my favorites in all of Scripture. I can confidently say that, throughout my years of teaching and pastoring, I have quoted these verses more often than any others. This passage emphasizes the beautiful and powerful truth that God is always on our side, and his steadfast love for us will never end. 

Paul structures this passage around seven questions. Let’s work our way through these verses. 

What then shall we say to these things? (Rom. 8:31a)
Using the pronoun “we,” Paul is expressing, “I, and I hope you, and all believers with us.” “We” refers to all believers. J. I. Packer observes that the heart behind “What then shall we say” is, “I know what I shall say; will you say it too?”[1]

“These things” refer to the truths found in the first thirty verses of Romans 8, which show that God is sufficient to handle all of life’s circumstances. The discussion includes: the power of sin (Rom. 8:1-9); the flesh vs. the Spirit (Rom. 8:6-13); weakness in suffering (Rom. 8:17-25); the Holy Spirit praying for us when we are unable (Rom. 8:26-27); God working all things together for our good (Rom. 8:28); and God’s perfect work in our lives that spans from eternity past to eternity future (Rom. 8:29-30). 

How should we respond to such incredible truths and, more importantly, how should we live out these truths? Indeed, we should shout “Hallelujah!” or, as one writer describes it, “stand in open-mouthed amazement.”[2] Additionally, we should always seek to follow hard after our God who loves us so completely! 

If God is for us, who can be against us? (Rom. 8:31b)
With God Almighty on our side, we will always be victorious, for the battle belongs to him. Furthermore, his unconditional love for us exceeds our understanding. Paul reminds us of the immense depth of that love in the next question. 

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Rom. 8:32)
Because of sin, God sent his only Son to die for us so that we can have an eternal relationship with him. This was planned from eternity past. Moreover, since God has given us the greatest gift, we can be confident that he will graciously provide us with everything we need. 

Take a moment to personally reflect on that truth. God loves you so much that he sent his only Son to die so you could have life. Desiring a relationship with you, he took the punishment for your sin and put it on Jesus, freeing you from your debt. God poured out his wrath for your sin on his Son so you could be rescued from eternal judgment. In his perfect love, God has graciously given all of this, so he is more than capable of meeting all your needs today. 

To emphasize that point, Paul, a trained lawyer, takes us to the courtroom.

Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect?  (Rom. 8:33)
We have an adversary who keeps accusing us. In fact, Scripture shows that Satan continually brings charges against us (Job 1; Rev. 12:10). And he is right—yes, we are sinners. But the Judge is also the Justifier (Rom. 8:33b). Because of Jesus' work on our behalf, the righteous Judge declares us “Not guilty!” He removes the debt of sin from our account and credits us with Jesus’ righteousness—so we are given a right standing before God. 

Who is to condemn? (Rom. 8:34)
The answer is “No one.” The Father declared us “Not guilty!” Jesus, who died and was raised from the dead, made that “not guilty” verdict possible. Jesus also “is at the right hand of God” as our Advocate, “interceding for us.” The Judge will not bring a charge against us, and our Advocate constantly reminds the Judge that we are no longer guilty because of the work he has done for us. 

But... maybe... something could cause our relationship with God to be severed. The believer faces many serious challenges along life’s journey. Perhaps we could give up and walk away from it all. 

Paul addresses this with two questions. The first is general; the second is more specific. Notice the progression from bad to worse in the seven life challenges. 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? (Rom. 8:35)
To demonstrate that suffering is nothing new for believers, Paul cites Psalm 44:22. “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” This resonated with the early church, as Christians were being killed regularly. 

When a believer faces challenges in life, ranging from trials and distress to losing everything or even facing death, one might think that God no longer loves them or that God’s blessing has been taken away. Is that true? Paul responds emphatically.

Romans 8:37-39
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

The word “conquerors” is in the present tense. It does not describe someone who was outmatched but got lucky once in battle and will likely fail the next time. The tense of the word indicates a person who wins and continues to win, accumulating victory after victory. We can be confident in our spiritual victories because of the One who was victorious over death and whose Spirit lives in us!

Paul is sure[3] that nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” To highlight this, he lists five sets of extremes to show that our relationship with God is secure. The five extremes are:

1. Extremes of existence: life and death
2. Extremes of spiritual armies: angels and demons
3. Extremes of time: present and future
4. Extremes of power: Satan or human governments
5. Extremes of space: height or depth

To make sure nothing was missed, Paul adds, “nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” That literally covers everything we, as believers, will face in this life!

Scottish theologian and pastor, Arthur Gossip (1873-1954), lost his wife suddenly and unexpectedly. His first sermon after her death was titled “When Life Tumbles In, What Then?” Gossip expressed his confidence in God even through the challenges of loss and grief. He ended the sermon with these words: 

I don’t think you need be afraid of life. Our hearts are very frail, and there are places where the road is very steep and very lonely, but we have a wonderful God. And, as Paul put it, “What can separate us from his love?”[4] 

What can separate us from God’s love? Again, the answer is this—nothing, absolutely nothing can “separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD 
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Romans 8:31-39. Let the words of this passage fill you with confidence and the complete assurance of God's love for you. 

Talking to God: What current fear or struggle do you need to lay down today, trusting that nothing can separate you from God's love?

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