What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 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?

Romans 8

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 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? Romans 8:31-32

This afternoon, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued with chapter twelve God is for Us, which covers Romans 8:31-39.  My focus today is Romans 8:31-32, which my commentary refers to under the heading Who Can Be Against Us. Building on previous posts covering Romans 8, which highlight how we are released from the law, how we are alive in Christ, and how the Holy Spirit indwells us in us and give us power...power to endure through anything we may experience in our earthly bodies. Paul then challenges us to let it sink in...the power we have in Christ.  V31-32 encourages, in fact pushes us to fully recognize how God is not only for us, but how God gives us all things - this is not of course a shopping spree.  We should recognize how God equips us for the life we live - all the ups and downs. 

In terms of what Paul intends for "these things", my commentary discusses the various perspectives on how some scholars think Paul is referring to previously discussed topics in Romans 8, but others believe Paul is writing about all of the Romans letter.  Indeed, we cannot even begin to fathom even all of Romans 8 without first understanding the previous chapters. My commentary wants us to understand that "God is for us" and that we are not only equipped for trials but also to defend ourselves against Satan, and to get us to Heaven. God has not spared His Son Jesus, doing the hard thing, "then we can rest assured that he will also do the lesser or easier thing--'grant us everything'.  That is, he will give us everything necessary to get us to glory."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and it is awesome to know that You are for us!  Thank You Jesus!  What an incredible truth and promise!  I am not deserving of such a truth and promise.  My sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.

Chapter 2: Pages 41-46

 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Romans 8:5-7

This morning, I continued John Piper's book Providence (purchased from Amazon Kindle Store) and read chapter two, where Piper explores God's self-exaltation and glorification.  Piper writes how an earthly mind is likely to detest a self-exalting and self-glorifying God as perhaps conceited, self-centered, or arrogant. Although we might liken God to a powerful action hero, we don't like it when such arrogance tends to lead to selfishness or elitism - all of this again occurs in an earthly mind and compares God to human-kind, which of course we should not be doing.  On the other hand, Piper leans on Jonathan Edwards writings to see God as self-exalting and self-glorifying for the "everlasting enjoyment of [H]is redeemed people". Piper also sees ALL of God's glory "working in perfect harmony", with once again "the goal of God's providence...[to] exist to the praise of the glory of [H]is wisdom, power, justice, goodness and mercy.  Not just one of these excellencies.  All of them."

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God because You are FOR me - of course You came to save me, You love me, and I know that You fight for me!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You are for me. I worry...too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.