A Modern Woman's Perspective On The Kingdom of God on Earth


September 16, 2012

Romans 8:31

"If God is for us, who can be against us?"

"Christ with Arms Folded" by Rembrandt


     This is a short Scripture with so much connotation.  It may seem simple, but it is loaded with meaning.     
     First of all, we need to establish that there is no condition associated with this question.  Paul is not casting doubt or supposing there is another alternative to God being for us.  There is no "If".  In fact, one translation of this verse says With God on Our Side, Who is Against Us?
     The second thing we need to be sure of is, who is Us?  It is those whose lives have been transformed by belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God.  Us reflects believers who know that we don't deserve the favor of our God, and bow down at the Cross in appreciation for our deliverance.  We desire to be like Jesus and follow Him.  And God is "for us" because He has chosen us to be conformed to the image of His Son; He has adopted us as one of His own.  
     He is not "for us" in the sense that our desires are His command.  We must be careful to not fall for a gospel that preaches He is a benevolent Father waiting to be informed how He can serve us.  He has a purpose for us, and through our faith, we fulfill all the promises He has determined for us.
     Therefore, we must realize that with all the opposition and resistance we will meet along our Walk of Faith, there is no adversary who can challenge our God.  We need to live our life with the knowledge and the confidence that we have nothing to fear.  Our God is so big, and His power and authority so absolute, that every other principality and force cannot compare.  Nothing can destroy us! 
     I invite you to read Psalm 91.  It expresses the essence of our Scripture today.  God is our "refuge and our fortress".  His faithfulness is our "shield and our rampart".  No harm will overtake us, and He will direct His angels to guard us in all our ways.  He will rescue us and protect us; He will be with us in times of trouble.  All these attributes should convince us that God is on our side.  We are precious in His sight, and nothing...nothing can conquer or overcome us when we reside in His care.

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