We are more than conquerous

In the above passage, Paul defiantly and triumphantly raises five unanswerable questions designed to give believers a profound assurance of spiritual victory.

a.)      If God be for us, who can be against us?

b.)      He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

c.)      Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect?

d.)      Who is he who condemns?

e.)      Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

“If God is for us…” The form of the conditions makes it clear that God is for us, no controversy! If God gave the supreme gift of His Son to save us, He will certainly also give whatever is necessary to bring to fulfillment the work begun at the cross.

Paul probably had a court of law in mind or the “accuser” (Satan Job 1: 9-11, Revelation 12: 10) when he asked – who can bring a charge against God’s elect? Whichever way, no charge can be brought against the Christian because God had already pronounced a verdict of not guilty.

Three reasons are given as to why no one can condemn God’s elect

(1.)  Christ died for us

(2.)  He is alive and seated at the right hand of God and will be the judge over all the earth, He will not condemn us (John 3:16-18)

(3.) He is interceding for us.

 Paul wanted to show his readers that suffering does not separate believers from Christ but actually carries them along toward their ultimate goal. Believers can indeed expect trouble or tribulation in this age, but in Christ they are saved from God’s wrath and are to look forward to fuller participation in God’s glory. For any Christian who is discouraged this powerful passage (Romans 8: 35-39) gives assurance of Christ’s present love, active at every moment in the Christian’s life.

 Are there any causes of discouragement greater than the things Paul mentions? (tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, sword). And if not, then we are never in this life separated from Christ’s love. Even in hardship we can be more than conquerors. The Greek for more than conquerors describes one who is super victorious, who wins more than an ordinary victory, but who is overpowering in achieving abundant victory. This is not the language of conceit, but of confidence. Christ’s love conquered death and because of His love we are more than conquerors.

 The message that God is for us and in Christ Jesus we are more than conquerors should cause our hearts to worship the Lord. This message of grace and God’s unfailing love invites us to wholly devote ourselves to the Lord. Jesus died for us while we were yet sinners, demonstrating at all times the love that God has for us.

 Be persuaded that absolutely nothing can separate you from the love of God in Jesus. He has made you more than a conqueror in all things through Jesus who loves you. Let this truth lead you to worship God wholeheartedly. Even as Christians face their greatest challenge in Nigeria today, be assured that if God be for us, we are more than conquerors.
|Have a week of confidence based  on an appreciation of  the
depth of God’s love for you!

Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon
S. Igein Isemede