God is For Us
Rom 8:31-34 What, then, shall we say in response to this? 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, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Note first that using "us" Paul eliminates the idea that there is some mystery behind identifying the elect. For his purpose in this section is not to confuse but to impart confidence to believers, confidence of a destiny secured for us. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ, despite imperfect behavior. For the gospel makes salvation not contingent upon one's behavior and as such there is no basis for the condemnation of the elect as Christ has atoned for sin. "If anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense— Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins" 1John 2:1-2a Jesus justifies us, as such there is no charge which can be brought against the elect. "For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." Rom 5:10 "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." Heb 7:25
But justification and eternal security is just the beginning of the salvation package. For, having been justified, one is born of God, made children of God and given an inheritance. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1Peter 1:3-5
The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources
Rom 8:31-34 What, then, shall we say in response to this? 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, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Note first that using "us" Paul eliminates the idea that there is some mystery behind identifying the elect. For his purpose in this section is not to confuse but to impart confidence to believers, confidence of a destiny secured for us. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ, despite imperfect behavior. For the gospel makes salvation not contingent upon one's behavior and as such there is no basis for the condemnation of the elect as Christ has atoned for sin. "If anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense— Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins" 1John 2:1-2a Jesus justifies us, as such there is no charge which can be brought against the elect. "For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." Rom 5:10 "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." Heb 7:25
But justification and eternal security is just the beginning of the salvation package. For, having been justified, one is born of God, made children of God and given an inheritance. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1Peter 1:3-5
The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources
