You and whose army?
If God is for us, who can ever be against us? | Romans 8:31 (NLT)
WHAT SHALL WE SAY TO THESE THINGS? IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?
A glorious statement from this great passage that serves to remind us of the scope of our salvation. The first sentence presents us with a question that calls for careful thought; "WHAT SHALL WE SAY TO THESE THINGS?" What things is Paul referring to? He must surely be referring to the great truths listed earlier in the epistle that provide us with the "Bedrock" truth of our salvation.
We have been reminded that the gospel is "THE POWER OF GOD TO SALVATION TO ALL WHO BELIEVE ". Paul has made reference to the depravity of the sin nature, and that there is "NONE RIGHTEOUS "! He has taught concerning the great foundational truth of "JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH"! He has declared that for those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ; "THERE IS NO LONGER ANY CONDEMNATION"!
"WHAT SHALL WE SAY TO THESE THINGS? It is the sum of these great gospel truths that cause Paul to remind us of the security of our salvation and our standing before God.
Every believer wrestles daily with the attacks and accusation of the devil. We are reminded that he is "THE ACCUSER OF THE BELIEVER"! We are bombarded daily by thoughts of failure and the ever present impulses of the sin nature. All of this can at times lead us to begin to question our salvation and its power. Not only do we wrestle with the attacks of the enemy, but we also have to contend with the opposition of a hostile world strongly opposed to the message of the gospel. Paul acknowledges these factors and does not seek to deny them. However, we have this glorious statement that totally disarms every accusation thrown at the believer:-
"IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?"
The atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross and His subsequent resurrection provide for the believer a peace and security that no devil or human can take away. Paul powerfully defines this security in his great declaration recorded in the 5th chapter and verse 1:-
"THEREFORE BEING JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST".
If God is for us, and we know that He is, nothing can separate us from His love and protection.