Romans8v28to39: MORE THAN CONQUERORS

Introduction. Read Rom8v28to39.

Interpretations of parts of this wonderful passage are influenced by the doctrines held by the commentator - whether Calvinistic or Arminian. Four of the commentaries I use for these expositions are written by self-confessed Calvinists and some of their comments left me gnashing my teeth.

I also read several sermons on SermonCentral as part of my preparation. These are nearly all faithful to Paul's intention: to encourage the Roman Christians as they faced intense persecution. The passage was not written primarily for Theologians but for Christians in distress.

Paul expected Christians to take heart as they contemplated:

(A) God's purpose. See v28to30.

Verses 28 to 30 deal with God's intention for those who believe in Jesus. As such it concentrates on the part played by God in a person's salvation.

Prof. W. Barclay, who was not a Calvinist, recognised that Paul wanted at this juncture in his letter to give God all the glory for his and others salvation. He was writing from the heart. There are lots of Christians like Paul. I have heard Grace Baptists testify that their salvation is all of God. If he had not chosen them they would never have chosen him.

I do not entirely agree with Barclay. In my view Paul concentrates here on what God intends for believers because in the context of imminent persecution this is far more encouraging than dwelling on man's responsibility. What we need in times of suffering is an assurance that God is committed to us. That is what Paul gives in these verses.

However, it should never be forgotten that a man or woman does play a part, small but necessary, in their salvation. They must believe!

Salvation is not ALL of grace. It is by grace and through faith. Earlier in Romans Paul deals with the importance of faith. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. Rom3v22. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. Rom5v1and2.

Last week my old friend Arthur Rutterford emailed me the prayer letter of the church at Barton Mills. It started with a quote from Colossians: Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation - IF you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. Col1v21to23.

Please note how the great promise of being presented to God free from accusation is conditional upon continuing in the faith. Mark that little word, 'IF'. There is nothing inevitable about our salvation - it is dependent upon remaining established and firm in the faith.

It is vitally important to reconcile God's sovereignty with man's responsibility.

If God chose some to believe in Jesus and chose others to remain in unbelief either using no criteria for his choice, or criteria that he has not divulged to us, then God would be either unjust or inadequate.

Let us consider an eye surgeon with unlimited resources and time performing cataract operations free of charge in a very poor country. Cataracts are done by the grace of the surgeon. He could, of course, decide to operate on some and not others. However, if he did so he would be denounced as unjust. Why? Well because all the cataract sufferers need to be treated - just as all sinners need to be saved. The eye surgeon could justify choosing to treat sufferers randomly if he had only limited resources and/or time.

So, is God short of resources for man's salvation? Are there limits on his grace? Is Christ's shed blood insufficient? According to John: But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defence - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1John2v1and2.

The only men and women with cataracts the eye surgeon with unlimited resources would be justified in not operating upon would be those who refuse to have the operation.

So I take the phrase, for those God foreknew to refer to God's knowledge that many would believe in Jesus. It was his sovereign decision that those who believed would be conformed to the image of his son. God chose faith as the criteria by which some would be predestined to salvation and others to eternal destruction. Faith is the appropriate criteria because it was lack of faith that led to Adam and Eve falling. Our first parents rebelled - we must submit to Jesus for God's salvation.

It is those with faith that are called to be God's sons. They are justified by faith - acquitted of their sins - and await the Second Coming of Jesus to be glorified as he is glorified.

The sovereign purpose of God to make believers his heirs and Christ's joint heirs has implications in this life.

Paul writes in the words of the N.I.V., Now we know that in all things God works for the good of those that love him, who have been called according to his purpose. v28. William Barclay comments: It is the experience of life for Christians that all things do work together for good. Other commentators follow suit.

There are some striking examples of this. Joseph suffered many trials and tribulations but the Lord was with him in them all and eventually he became the saviour of his family. The persecution of the early church after Stephen's martyrdom led to the dispersion of Christians and the wider dissemination of the gospel. The imprisonment of Corrie ten Boon by the Germans for harbouring Jews prepared her for a wonderful ministry that is still bearing fruit. I have to say that a whole sequence of small setbacks directed my life in the way I am sure that God intended. For instance, I took the eleven plus examination a year early and failed it because I took the invigilator's instruction literally. She said, "Don't turn over until I tell you." She meant of course, "Don't turn over the question paper and start until I tell you." I thought that I couldn't turn over any page in the booklet until I was given permission!! But for this I wouldn't have been looking for a teaching post just at the time one of my old teachers retired from the King Edward 6th Grammar School in Bury St Edmunds. I took his place, went home and was available to support my parents which I am sure was in the will of God. If I had been more popular as a preacher and Bible teacher it is unlikely that I would have created this website that has upwards of 2000 users a week.

Nevertheless, I am not convinced that EVERYTHING works together for the good of Christians. It is just so unhelpful not to face the facts! My cousin Ann was married to Ken who was a keen Methodist. He suffered from bipolar depression. One day, as he found himself slipping once again into the deep, black pit of despair, he couldn't take it anymore and put his head on a railway line. I used to teach a young chap many years ago whom I will call Henry. He belonged to a devout Grace Baptist family. I have no doubt that he was a Christian. I can remember him now, walking into Fellowship of Youth meetings well scrubbed and in eager anticipation of a good time. Sadly he was a schizophrenic and a morning came when he jumped into a tank of pig slurry and drowned. Do I need to go on? Dementia produces NO GOOD THING for those suffering Alzheimer's disease. Dick Sheppard the well known pacifist Anglican clergyman who was prominent in the early part of the 20th century suffered from crippling asthma. He didn't think it did him any good whatsoever! As a boy I suffered from asthma. If I had it now, day after day as I had it as a boy, I cannot see how it would be at all beneficial.

There are at least eight different ways to translate verse 28. I find the much maligned N.E.B's version helpful: The Spirit himself is pleading with us and God who searches our inmost beings knows what the Spirit means because he pleads for God's own people in God's own way; and in everything, as we know, he co-operates for good with those who love God and are called according to his purpose.

This seems more realistic to me. In all life's eventualities the Holy Spirit will work with us for our good. This presupposes that our spirits are not badly damaged or diseased. The Holy Spirit works with our spirits. If a person's spirit has been badly affected by, for example, Alzheimer's disease or schizophrenia the effectiveness of the Spirit is limited. How else can the restlessness, anxiety, fear and aggression of Christians suffering from dementia be explained.

I realise this leaves unanswered why Christians suffer debilitating diseases that are in no way conducive to their spiritual well being. This is a difficult question with a complex answer. None is really provided in the Bible - so I certainly cannot give one.

It must be stressed that for the vast majority of Christians for most of the time the Spirit will help us in ways conducive to our well being. I have been helped in difficult situations many times. I can recall getting into trouble on a few occasions during my teaching career. Whenever I was summoned to see the headmaster I was given the opportunity to take a friend in with me. I always asked the Holy Spirit to accompany me and he helped me to say and do the right thing. I have been apprehensive before the onset of some difficult church meetings convened to deal with problems. The Spirit has helped me conduct these meetings in a way that has proved best for the church.

(B) God's grace. See v31and32.

(1) Paul encourages the Roman Christians by reminding them that it didn't matter who opposed them if God was on their side. Paul gave them a slogan: If God is for us, who can be against us. v31.

We can illustrate Paul's thinking on both a large and a small scale. Britain still has what are called, 'Dependencies'. These are scattered territories with small populations who remain loyal to Britain and depend upon her for support and defence. It is Britain's fading power that protects the likes of Bermuda, the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar from aggressors.

On a small scale a small, eleven year old boy starting secondary school is at some risk of bullying. However, he will not be bullied if he has a much older and influential brother at the same school. The little lad comes under his brother's protection.

Paul had many opponents: adherents of other religions, Greek intellectuals, politicians, business men and the fickle public. It is the same today. Christians come under attack from militant religious groups. Some extreme Jewish groups are encouraged to spit at Christians. The name of Jesus is anathema to them. In the West sceptical Scientists, trendy politicians, media folk, celebrities and secularist pressure groups line up to attack the Faith.

But lest we forget and become dispirited: God is for us. He is capable of defeating the strongest foe. Communism and its implacable atheism has been abandoned in what was the vast Soviet empire. The church has grown at a spectacular rate in Communist China. Eventually secularism will lose its appeal in Western Europe.

(2) We have tangible evidence of God's grace. God's commitment to us is summed up in these words of Paul: He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all. v32. God abandoned his Son to the wicked hands of men to do with him as they would. This allowed Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, to offer himself as a sacrifice for men's sins. He provides a way of escape from the consequences of sin.

        There's a way back to God from the dark paths of sin;
        There's a door that is open and you may go in:
        At Calvary's cross is where you begin,
        When you come as a sinner to Jesus.

(3) If God is so committed to us that he gave up his Son for us then Paul affirms: How will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things.

God's commitment does not wax and wane. He will provide everything necessary for our spiritual well being. All I can say is, God has for me! When I was a 15 year old boy I went to Pioneer Camp. At this Christian camp I met several very keen, personable, intelligent, young believers. They made a great impression upon me. My own church was short of young men of this stamp. Later I went back to Pioneer Camp as a worker and saw the Spirit move in the hearts of many children bringing them to Jesus. During and after my time at University I was greatly helped by all of C.S. Lewis' books and also by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones' book on the, 'Sermon on the Mount'. In retirement, although not having many openings to teach and preach, the Internet has provided me with a useful ministry.

The sceptic, Edmund Goss, wrote in the famous memoire of his youth about the early death of his mother. As she lay dying Mrs Goss sang some words of Augustus Toplady's hymn, 'A sovereign Protector I have,' over and over again:

          I muse on the years that are past
          Wherein my defence Thou hast proved;
          Nor wilt thou relinquish at last
          A sinner so signally loved.

These old hymns - not much quoted in sermons today on the other side of the Atlantic - do me more good than the new ones!

(C) God's judgment and Christ's advocacy. v33and34.

We need to distinguish between honest criticism and condemnation. Sometimes we need to be criticised because there are things in our lives that we should be aware of and try and put right. Even Paul could be criticised because he was not perfect.

If a house is condemned it is written off. It is deemed of no value; indeed, it is considered a danger to society and recommended for demolition. The derelict and decaying property is judged unfit for purpose.

Many condemned Paul in his life time. The lawyer, Tertullus, representing the Jewish authorities, said at Paul's trial before Felix: "We have found this man to be a trouble maker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world." Acts24v5.

The Roman Governor, Festus, exclaimed at another hearing: "You are out of your mind, Paul. .... Your great learning is driving you insane. Acts26v24.

Some Christians at Corinth said of him: His letters are weighty and forceful but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing. 2Cor10v10.

The Corinthians accused Paul of much else: breaking his word, being all things to all men and double standards. They questioned his integrity. Some were in danger of writing him off!

All through the centuries and even today, Paul is condemned. He is condemned for distorting Christ's teaching, being harsh in his judgments, sexism and making Christianity complicated. One lady I knew dismissed him as boring! So, his contribution to Christianity is still being devalued.

In the face of so many accusations Paul was content to leave judgment to God. He wrote to the Corinthians: It is the Lord who judges me. 1Cor4v4. (Although he does spend a lot of time in his second epistle to Corinth defending himself!!) He writes to the Romans with confidence: Who will bring any charge against those who God has chosen. It is God who justifies. v33.

Paul knew that God acquitted him of all his sin when he believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. God is never going to condemn him - write him off as of no value - consign him to the rubbish tip of eternity. And Jesus certainly isn't! He is our man in heaven. He intercedes for us and his intercession is effective. It is effective because in the will God, Jesus died to save us from our sin. God was pleased with his sacrifice on the cross; he accepted it and showed his satisfaction by raising Jesus from the dead, seating him in glory at his right hand.

What was true for Paul is true for everyone who believes in Jesus. Believers may be condemned by the world as narrow, bigoted, hypocritical and a thoroughly bad influence; they may even be written off by other Christians as unsound, inadequate or 'not one of us'; but the good news is that God does not condemn us and Jesus intercedes for us.

We may even condemn ourselves. Our sins cry out against us; conscience puts us in the dock and rails against us; Satan stirs up doubts and fears questioning the ground for our eternal security.

An American pastor used an illustration that I found helpful. He said to his congregation: "Who would like this $20 note?" Hands started going up throughout the audience. He proceeded to crumple up the bill. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" The same hands went up in the air. "Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" He dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, all crumpled and dirty. "Now who still wants it?" Again, hands went into the air.

"You have all learned a valuable lesson," the speaker said. "No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the foolish decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value in God’s eyes. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are priceless to him."

If we believe in Jesus we are of supreme value to God. We are the fruit of his plan of redemption and his own, dear, son's saving work. God will never write us off. We are precious to him. Throughout our lifetimes Jesus stands for us. Our prayer should be:

          Answer for me, my Lord;
          On Thee my cause I lay;
          I dare not stand and plead myself;
          Answer for me, I pray!

          No righteousness of mine
          A shelter can afford;
          But when I stand before the throne,
          Answer for me, my Lord!

(D) God's love. See v35to39.

I think the problem every preacher has with these few verses is that they cannot be bettered as they stand! It makes any additional comments seem almost superfluous.

Paul begins by acknowledging the reality of persecution and deprivation. He wrote: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword. As it is written:

      'For your sake we face death all day long;
      We are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.'
This is a dreadful catalogue of suffering - of extreme suffering! The suffering of Christians has not ended. I read this news item in the October issue of Evangelicals Now:

On August 14, some Muslim men celebrated Pakistan's Independence Day by gang raping and murdering and 12-year-old Christian girl called Muqadas Kainat while her parents were at hospital where her mother was having an appendix operation.

After realising that she was missing, her father rushed home to search for her among the houses in the brick kiln works where the family lived. The next day, the Muslim kiln foreman received an anonymous call stating that she was in the fields. After searching they found the body. The post-mortem showed that she was gang raped - police believe by five men - and then strangled. British Pakistani Christian Association.

It is not easy to reconcile such an horrific atrocity with Paul's triumphant cry: No in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. v3.

Yet, it is certainly true that many Christians who have experienced extreme suffering have a faith that remains intact, a hope that remains bright and strong and a consciousness of God's love that survives undiminished even to the extent that they are able to forgive their persecutors. This was true of the martyr Stephen. See Acts7v54to60.

It is hard for Christians to cope with rejection in both its extreme or milder forms. The old American comedy series, 'Cheers,' used to open with a song about the bar around which the program was based. It contained the lines:

          “Sometimes you wanna go.
          Where everybody knows your name,
          And they're always glad you came”.

Whenever the oversized, idle but good-humoured Norm Peterson walked into the bar everyone would cry out: "NORM". He would wave his hand and almost before he reached the bar a pint of his favourite beverage was being poured into his glass. The world craves that kind of acceptance, where everybody knows your name, where everybody loves you and where you’re acceptable. Because of this, because we struggle for this acceptance, we have to deal with insecurity. This insecurity is heightened when we experience rejection in our lives.

God will never reject the believer - never, never, never. When trouble comes it is not a sign that God has rejected us. It is usually evidence of man's wickedness. Paul knew that nothing at all could separate the believer from the love of God. Whatever happens we remain beneficiaries of our Father's love.

We cannot be separated from it in life - however difficult that life may be - or in death however premature or unwelcome. We cannot be separated from it by disapproving angels or malign and antagonistic demons. Nothing in the present or the future - bleak as it might be - can separate us from God's love. Neither astrological forces, the blind workings of fate nor anything else in the entire creation can rob the believer of the ultimate, glorious benefits of God's love for the devotees of his choice Son. Nothing whatsoever can shake God's commitment to those that love him, those that are the precious fruit of Christ's redeeming work.

So Christians sing with something approaching glee the words of Charles Wesley:

          No condemnation now I dread;
          Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!
          Alive in him, my living Head,
          And clothed in righteousness divine,
          Bold I approach the eternal throne,
          And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

ANY COMMENTS FOR JOHN REED: E-mail jfmreed@talktalk.net

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