147. ROM 8:11. GOD FOR HIS PEOPLE
Rom_8:11. God For His People
"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"’97Rom_8:11.
The text forms the application of the discourse which is presented to us in the preceding part of the chapter. That discourse comprehends a complete outline of Christian experience, commencing in the day of the believer’s reconciliation to God, and terminating in the triumphs of full and eternal salvation.
Observe in the text, there is, I. A Character which we must define. II. A Privilege which we must illustrate. And, III. An important Interrogation which we must explain and answer.
Notice in the text,
1. A Character which we must define.
"If God be for us," &c.
Now the character is the same as is presented to our notice through the whole chapter. They are represented,
1. As being in Christ, and therefore justified. Ver. 1.
2. As regenerated. Ver. 2, 3.
3. As sanctified. Ver. 4.
4. As under spiritual influence. Ver. 5, 9, 11, 14.
5. As adopted into the divine family. Ver. 15, 16. And,
6. As heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. Ver. 17.
Now, a very slight attention to this description will lead us to a right knowledge of the characters who may properly assume the triumphant language of the text: "If God be for us," &c.
In the text we have,
II. A Privilege which we must illustrate:
"If God be for us," &c.
In the divine word we read of God going before his people to lead them’97God being with them, is their reconciled friend’97God being round about them, as their defence’97God being in them, as their light and salvation. But the language of the text represents God as being for us. It comprehends all mentioned in the preceding observations; and more especially it includes,
1. The possession of the divine favor.
God being for us, is God reconciled, God loving and delighting in us, as his people’97smiling upon us in the face of his Anointed One. Where this is possessed, there his love will be shed abroad in the heart; and the enjoyment of that divine peace which passeth all understanding; Psalms 30; Psa_89:17; Isa_60:10. It includes,
2. An interest in all the divine perfections.
God, being for us, engages all his attributes on our side. His power is ours, to sustain and protect us; his wisdom, to guide and direct us; his goodness, to supply our wants; his holiness, to purify our hearts; his mercy, pity, and patience, to forbear, to pass by our infirmities, and to forgive our sins; his truth, to verify all his promises. All that the blessed God is and has, is for the benefit of his people: "I am thy God." It includes,
3. A believing claim to all his great and precious promises.
These are the Christian’s present riches. These refer to every conceivable state and circumstance. They are exceedingly great and precious. And they are all given to us; and are "yea and amen in Christ Jesus to them that believe;" 2Co_1:20; 2Pe_1:4.
In the text there is,
III. An Interrogation which we must endeavor to explain and answer.
"If God be for us, who can be against us?" Let us,
1. Explain the interrogation.
(1) It does not mean that, God being for us, none will really be against us. This is contrary to the statements of Scripture, and experience of all God’s people. Satan will be against us’97world against us’97internal enemies against us. There would be no conflict were none against us.
(2) Neither does it mean, that our enemies are insignificant, and unworthy of our notice. For they are powerful, malignant, combined, and desperate. They are, also very numerous.
"They throng the air, and darken heaven,
And crowd this lower world."
Eph_6:12.
(3) Neither does it mean, that we may not suffer, and that severely, from those who are against, us. We may suffer much; temptation, persecution, reproach, loss of goods, and even life itself, may be required. But it signifies that, God being for us, none can be effectually against us. Our adversaries shall not succeed’97our souls shall not suffer final loss’97for he that is for us is greater than all that are against us. Let us then,
2. Endeavor to answer the interrogation.
(1) If God be for us in the arrangements of grace, who can be against us? If he justifies, who can condemn? If he sanctifies and adopts us, who shall pollute and cast us out? If he loves us, who shall change his mind? If he saves, who shall destroy? Joh_10:27, Joh_10:28.
(2) If God be for us in the dispensations of his providence, who can be against us? The cloud may be dark, but it shall shed down blessings on our heads. The bud may be bitter, but sweet will be the flower. "All things shall work," &c.; ver. 28. His eye will watch over us’97his ear be open to our cry’97his hand supply our need’97his arm keep and protect us.
(3) If God be for us in the spiritual combat, who can be against us? Men may rage; but the wrath of man shall be made to praise him, and the remainder he will restrain. Satan may roar, and bring his temptations upon the soul as a flood; but God’s Spirit shall lift up a standard against him.
(4) If God be for us in the decisions of judgment, who can be against us? If he then smile, who shall frown? If he say, Well done! who shall condemn? If he pronounce us blessed, who shall make us accursed? If he place the crown upon our brow, who shall snatch it thence? If he exalt to glory and eternal life, who shall abase or mar our felicity? It is clear, if God be for us, we need not fear nor care for all who may be against us.
Application
Then, if God be for us,
1. Ought we not, also, to be for God? Shall we not honor and confess him before men’97be zealous for his glory’97diligent in his service, &c.?
2. Should we not be anxious to retain his friendship’97to have him always on our side? Let us cultivate his fear in our hearts; walk humbly and devoutly before him.
3. Let the sinner learn the only way of safety’97by being reconciled to God. How dreadful an enemy is God! Who shall contend with him? Let the sinner throw down his weapons and sue for peace, and by faith in Christ Jesus, he shall be accepted of God, and saved to eternal life.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS