If, Then

Romans 8:31-39

Dr. Edwin P. Elliott

I. Election Establishes Logical Propositions

A. Knowing the process of redemption gives the redeemed courage to boldly obey God. “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” (Genesis 15:1)

B. Because God has done the greater, He can be expected to do the lesser, and there is no greater gift than the substitutionary atonement. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32) “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:6-10)

C. God’s atonement triumphs over every sin and failure. “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.” (Romans 8:33) “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” (Isaiah 54:17)

D. With the Savior on the throne of all reality, no one is in a position to bring charges against any believer. “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Romans 8:34) “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:13-14)

II. For God’s People, Life’s Great Terrors No Longer Frighten

A. God’s demonstrated love is more powerful than life’s great difficulties. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35) “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12)

B. Christians boldly do what paralyzes non-believers because God’s promises are more certain than life’s disadvantages. “As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” (Romans 8:36) (from Psalm 44:22)

C. In Christ, believers triumph over every problem confronting them. “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

III. Examine Personal Terrors in the Light of Sovereign Grace

A. Paul lifted each of his challenges up for examination in the light of grace. “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,” (Romans 8:38)

B. Nothing is great enough to undo God’s love in Christ. “Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39)

C. Redemption from Egypt is the great pattern which illustrates how God works His purpose against the greatest force the world has to offer; God raised up pharaoh to put him down as a demonstration of Heaven’s concern for God’s people. “And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth. As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?” (Exodus 9:16-17)

D. The unity of God the Father and Christ the Savior is too great for anyone to undo; the Redeemer, not the redeemed, guarantees eternity. “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.” (John 10:28-30)