God is for us!

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Scripture: Romans 8:31-34 (ESV)

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 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? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Devotion:

            Today’s passage revolves around God, through Jesus, forgiving all our sins. First, it appeals to God’s unequaled mercy and love for His children. This world, like its ruler Satan (which means accuser), tries to keep Christians beaten down by reminding us constantly of our sins and failures so that we never experience the total freedom and joy that comes from being part of Christ’s family of faith. Nothing is so harmful to the cause of the devil than a joy-filled, Spirit-led believer proclaiming God’s word for all to hear and demonstrating with their lives the treasures of a new life in Christ.

            The passage goes on in verse 32, proclaiming the cross of Christ paramount among God’s saving works. Honestly, which one of us, who is a parent, would let their child be sacrificed for the sins of another? Our God stands alone in this case. God freely and without reserve gave His son Jesus so that all people, everywhere, would have the opportunity to have their sins forgiven and be given new life.

Verse 33 continues, stating that no one in heaven or on earth can condemn any of God’s children. God has once and for all judged humanity's sin on the cross and declared us forgiven. God will never go back on that word. It does not matter what evil man devises against his fellow man; God’s forgiveness has already rescued the one who does evil. All it takes on the evil-doer's part is sincere repentance, and the blood of the cross covers all the evil they have done.

Truly, verse 34 goes on, “Who is to condemn?” There is no one anywhere who can sustain any charge against a believer. Since God raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him at God’s right hand beside the Father on the throne in the heavens, we can never be condemned by anyone. Jesus is not only seated beside the Father; He takes our prayers to the Father that we may be blessed and not cursed for all eternity. Let us rejoice in this great salvation!

Prayer:

            Lord God Almighty, we worship you today because you have forgiven all our sins and faults. Thank you for delivering us slavery to the works of the devil and for making us free to live by grace through your Son Jesus. Help us, O Lord, to resist the efforts of the world, flesh, and the devil to accuse us of any crime against you. Open our eyes to see the wonders of your love. Amen.

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