Romans 8:31-37 – Taking Sides
When Martin Luther was in the middle of the Reformation and the Pope was trying to bring him back to the Catholic Church, he sent a cardinal to deal with Luther and buy him with gold. The cardinal later wrote to the Pope, “The fool does not like gold.”
The cardinal, when he could not convince Luther, said to him, “What do you think the Pope cares for the opinion of a German boor? The Pope’s little finger is stronger than all Germany. Do you expect your princes to take up arms to defend you — you, a wretched worm like you? I tell you, No. And where will you be then?”
Luther’s reply was simple: “Where I am now. In the hands of the Almighty God.”
You know, the opinions of others really do affect how we live. Some people long for approval, some live to shock and offend. Either way, the thought is, What will other people think? And you know, some people never step out into the realm of courageous for fear of what others will say or think. Some worry so much about what others think of them that they have no time to worry about obedience. William Gurnall once said, “We fear men so much because we fear God so little.”
Today’s scripture passage from Romans 8 gives us a view of God’s opinion of believers. It’s meant to show us God’s perspective on the things we face, and on how others treat us. Let’s read v31-37.
V31 starts off by asking the first of many questions in this passage. “What, then, shall we say in response to this?” What is this? What needs to be responded to? Probably the whole chapter. Paul is saying, in light of what I have said over the last 30 verses, how are we to handle? What are we to do about it? Considering that there is no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus, and Christ has made us free from the law of sin and death, and to live to please God brings life and peace, and if we walk in the spirit, the spirit of God dwells in us, and that spirit one day will bring life to our mortal bodies, just as Jesus was brought back to life, and we will rise to meet him in the air, and He has adopted us into his family, and He is making intercession for us according to the will of God, and all things work together for good to them that love him, and He called us, justified us, and He glorified us…considering all this, what is there left to say? It seems obvious, that God is on our side.
But what does that mean? What does it mean for God to be on our side? What does it mean that God is for us? Well, let’s continue on in the passage. V32 further elaborates on our conditions: v32. This situation that we find ourselves in, this great salvation that Hebrews calls it, is a salvation that anything opposed to us cannot win against. This great salvation shows that if God did not hesitate to give us His unspeakable gift, as 2 Corinthians calls it, then God will not deny us the smaller tokens of His love either. And it has so much to do with how God is with us, even when we face tough times.
Watch v33-36. The author Paul seems to present us with 3 questions that we wrestle with when we face opposition from others. The 1st question is in v33: “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?” Paul is asking, who can accuse us? Who can bring any allegation against us? The 2nd question is in v34: “Who is he that condemns?” That is, who has a right to rebuke us? Who can cast blame on us? Who has the right to sit around and criticize us? And the 3rd question Paul asks is in v35: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” Who can tear us away from God’s love? Who can do anything to us that will make God love us less? What can happen to us that will disconnect us from God’s love for us? And in case you had any ideas, Paul lists some: “Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” Simply put, can any person do anything to us that will make us step out of God’s love for us?
Even though we know enough theology to know in our heads that God’s love is not stopped by hard times, we still wonder with our hearts if maybe it is. I mean, in difficulties, doesn’t it sometimes cross our minds that maybe God has stopped caring for us? That He’s forgotten us? That He’s angry with us and wants to punish us a little? When other people give us hard times, don’t we wonder if it’s from God too? How does it make you feel when other people scoff and persecute and mock and harass and torment and torture you? Do you ever feel like Robert Orben who said, “Sometimes I get the feeling the whole world is against me, but deep down I know that’s not true. Some of the smaller countries are neutral.”
Well, the good news is that even though the whole world may oppose us, God is on our side. He is our support. He is our backbone. Matthew 12:20-21 says this about Jesus: “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.”
You have to understand, you may feel like a bruised reed, a damaged blade of grass swaying in the wind. You may feel like a candle whose wick is about to burn out. But justice will prevail, and hope will be found. The answers to these questions are given here in the passage. Paul asked, “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?” And he answered, “It is God who justifies.” It is God who has made us right with Him. Because of what Jesus did, because Jesus broke down the dividing wall between us and God, God says that we are right with Him. And no matter what others may accuse us of, it is God’s opinion of us that matters.
Paul also asked, “Who is he that condemns?” That is, who wants to sit in judgement over us? Who wants to place blame on us? Who does the world want to blame for its problems? Paul answers: “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.” Way back in v1 we saw that “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Christ does not condemn us. Condemnation happened, but it’s Christ vs. sin. Sin was condemned and dealt with, and now those who trust in Christ are condemnation-free. Quite the opposite of condemning us, Jesus is right now praying for us. He wants us to know Him. He wants us to be strong and courageous. Robert Murray McCheyne, who was a pioneer missionary to America, said, “If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me!”
And Paul also asked in v35, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” Can trouble do it? Can hardship? Persecution? Famine? Nakedness, that is, destitution? Can danger? Can execution do it? If we were to lose our lives, would that separate us from God’s love? We wish that we would never have to face this thought. But around the world, believers everyday face the sword for their faith. And a disciple is not above his Master. If Christ was crucified and faced suffering, why would we think we should be above it?
Well, we may not be above it, but we can rise above it: v37. Despite our difficulties, despite our problems, despite persecution and hardships, despite misunderstandings and stereotypes, we are more than conquerors. We can have overwhelming victory and not let these things threaten our souls. One commentator wrote that we may never leaving the groaning behind, but we can leave the moaning behind. Just as our Master was a victor, so we can too be victorious.
Does that mean we will never struggle or mess up? No. I have found that a good stumbling is useful for a good humbling. It’s always to our benefit to be reminded that it’s not about how good we have become, but how good God is. James says that God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Don’t become proud of how good you have become, because God will remind you that your victory is only because of Jesus’.
So you see? Others may condemn us or accuse us. They may criticize and ridicule. They may complain and undermine. They may do all they can to get you to stumble. But it is not their opinion that will matter in the end, it’s God’s.
On the flip side for a second, I have been around the church long enough to know that even as Christians we criticize others. We judge their motives. We rate their performances. We determine how good they are as Christians. Max Lucado warns us, though: “Be careful! The Peter who denies Jesus at tonight’s fire may proclaim him with fire at tomorrow’s Pentecost. The Samson who is blind and weak today may use his final strength to level the pillars of godlessness. A stuttering shepherd in this generation may be the mighty Moses of the next. Don’t call Noah a fool; you may be asking him for a lift.”
So be free. Understand God wants you to win. He’s not keeping score. He doesn’t count how many minutes you pray; He just enjoys the time you spend in prayer. He doesn’t count how many verses a day you read in your Bibles; He’s glad you give Him a chance to speak to you. He wants you to succeed, not fail. No matter how many people condemn you, He wants to forgive you.
I heard a story of an umpire named Babe Pinelli, who once called Babe Ruth out on strikes. When the crowd booed with sharp disapproval at the call, Ruth turned to the umpire and said, "There’s 40,000 people here who know that the last pitch was ball, tomato head." Figuring that the umpire would erupt with anger, the coaches and players braced themselves for Ruth’s ejection. However, the cool-headed Pinelli replied, "Maybe so, Babe, but mine is the only opinion that counts."
Folks, you need to realize that God’s judgment is the only one that counts. God is on our side, and nobody else can change that. Even if people accuse us, it’s God’s judgement that matters. Even if they condemn us, it’s Jesus’ prayers (showing His allegiance) that matters. Even if they treat us poorly, it’s Jesus’ love that matters. No matter what happens, Jesus’ love remains constant and faithful. Find freedom in that. Realize the victory that is yours because of that.
