Romans 8:31-39

https://www.biblestudytools.com/romans/passage/?q=romans+8:31-39

More Than Conquerors

31 What, then, shall we say in response 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, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Study Notes: These will be added as I am able.

8:31-34 Do.you ever think that because you aren't good enough for God, he will not save you? Do you ever feel as if salvation is for everyone else but you? Then these verses are especially for you. If God gave his Son for you, he isn't going to hold back the gift of salvation! If Christ gave his life for you, he isn't going to turn around and condemn you! He will not withhold anything you need to live for him. The book of Romans is more than a theological explanation of God's redeeming grace--it is a letter of comfort and confidence addressed to you.

8:34 Paul says that Jesus is interceding for us in heaven. God has acquitted us and has removed our sin and guilt, so it is Satan, not God, who accuses us. When he does, Jesus, the advocate for our defense, stands at God's right hand to present our case. For more on the concept of Christ as our advocate, see the notes on Hebrews 4:14; 4:15.

8:35, 36 These words were written to a church that would soon undergo terrible persecution. In just a few years, Paul's hypothetical situations would turn into painful realities. This passage reaffirms God's profound love for his people. No matter what happens to us, no matter where we are, we can never be lost to his love. Suffering should not drive us away from God, but help us to identify with him further and allow his love to reach us and heal us.

8:35-39 These verses contain one of the most comforting promises in all Scripture. Believers have always had to face hardships in many forms: persecution, illness, imprisonment, even death. These could cause them to fear that they have been abandoned by Christ. But Paul exclaims that it is impossible to be separated from Christ. His death for us is proof of his unconquerable love. Nothing can stop Christ's constant presence with us. God tells us how great his love is so that we will feel totally secure in him. If we believe these overwhelming assurances, we will not be afraid.

8:38 Powers are unseen forces of evil in the universe, forces like Satan and his fallen angels (see Ephesians 6:12). In Christ, we are super-conquerors, and his love will protect us from any such forces.

These verses have additional special meaning to me. They were included in my father's funeral. We are to honor our fathers and mothers, and so around my Dad's birthday I remember him with his favorite chapter, Romans 8. It reminds of the love and the power of love over death, over illness and everything. The love of our Creator does not fail. It is everlasting. It is dependable, when it seems that everything else isn't. He loves us still...always.

Heavenly Father, thank You for these powerful verses that remind us that You are with us. You strengthen us. You protect us with Your love. We need not fear, for You are near. Help us to always recognize Your presence--to actively seek the evidence of it-- because we find it everywhere. Your love is real and greater than anything. We are humbled by it. And, we are enfolded in it and comforted. And we praise Your holy name in awe. Help us to share it with others that we encounter today. In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Song: https://youtu.be/2p8_4NbrcKA

Bonus Song: https://youtu.be/dxkH_S2auoQ

Have a blessed day.