A 365 An outstanding supposition

And simply because I like the forcefulness of the paraphrase of verse 38 in this chapter, I'm reading this morning from the Living Bible and I'm commencing from the 28th verse, Romans 8 verse 28. And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are called according to his plans. For from the very beginning, God decided that those who came to him, and all along he knew who would, should become like his son.

So his son would be the first with many brothers. And having chosen us, he called us to come to him. And when we came, he declared us not guilty, filled us with Christ's goodness, gave us right standing with himself, and promised us his glory.

What can we ever say to such wonderful things as these? If God is on our side, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own son, but for us gave him up for us all. Won't he also surely give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? Will God? No. He is the one who has forgiven us and given us right standing with himself.

Who then will condemn us? Will Christ? No. For he is the one who died for us and came back to life again for us, and is sitting at the place of highest honor next to God, pleading for us there in heaven. Who then can ever keep Christ's love from us? When we have trouble or calamity, when we are hunted down or destroyed, is it because he doesn't love us anymore? And if we are hungry or penniless or in danger or threatened with death, has God deserted us? No.

For the scriptures tell us that for his sake we must be ready to face death. At every moment of the day we are like sheep awaiting slaughter. But despite all this, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us enough to die for us.

For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't and life can't. The angels won't and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God's love away.

Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us. Let me read those last two verses again. It may be that someone's here this morning feeling somewhat downcast and perplexed.

Well, take this as your comfort. I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't and life can't.

The angels won't and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God's love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us. Well, praise God for that assertion of his faithfulness.

Now let's turn in God's Word to Paul's letter to the Romans, the eighth chapter and verse 31. Romans 8 31. What shall we then say to these things? If God before us, who can be against us? 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? If God before us, who can be against us? I was driving down the main road to the tabernacle the other day from Broadwater and waiting at the lights.

I was reflecting on what particular verse the Lord would have me bring to your attention this morning. It's amazing how sometimes the verse comes into the mind. Often it's in the hours of Friday night or sometimes it opens itself up in the early hours of Sunday morning.

But here it was on Thursday waiting for the lights when in a very unmistakable fashion this proposition of Scripture just was shot as an arrow into my mind. With such a peculiar force it became obvious that this was not just my mind reflecting upon verses that it had memorized but rather something that was special, of special significance. The anvil for this morning's address to use it as a lever to show you something more wonderful than perhaps you have some of you have gathered heretofore of the greatness of God and the marvel of his plan of salvation.

Here is an astounding supposition. If God be for us, who can be against us? This surely is one of the greatest texts of Scripture. If you understand this, if you admit to this, there's hardly anything else that needs to be said in regard to the Christian faith.

It's compacted within this one proposition. God for us, who against us? Yes that's really how it should be translated. Those of you who have the AV and large editions of the AV will discover that the verbs are in the italics which indicate that they're not in the original.

Here is the Apostle saying God for us. If God for us, who against us? And indeed the very supposition needs to be removed and the word if could be replaced by the word since. Since God for us, who against us? Now that's just one statement taken out of this glorious eighth chapter of the epistle to the Romans and really to fully comprehend it you must have some grasp of what the Apostle has previously been saying.

He's a very logical teacher is the Apostle Paul and he builds up his arguments stage by stage and here he's come to a summit. Here is the the Everest in the range of Himalayas and he is saying since all these things I have shown you then is there anyone who could contest this astonishing proposition. Since these things are the case God is for us and if God is for us what does it matter if anyone else is against us.

I tell you that this is a marvelous text. If I had the ability I would give you some homiletical structure this morning to to show you its truths but it would need a better mind than mine to be able to exhaust its meaning for the human brain to explain to all who will listen what is conveyed within this proposition is akin to the absurdity of taking a children's bucket down there on the seashore and trying with it to drain the English Channel. There are oceans of meaning in this proposition.

This is one of the most staggering assertions that Scripture has since God is for us who shall be against us. What does it matter whatever the opposition may be whatever the problems may be that confront us in life if we know of a certainty that God is for us we can cope with absolutely anything and everything. That I say is the gist of the reasoning of the mighty Paul as he comes down to this 31st verse of the eighth chapter of the epistle to the Romans.

Well then as I disclaim any ability to exhaust it in the way of some some absolute exposition let me share with you something of the meanderings of my own mind as I've reflected upon this this assertion since God for us who against us and one of the immediate things that struck me was that at the natural level I would imagine the opposite to be true not God for me rather God against me. This runs in the opposite direction of my own limited ability to reason out the doctrine of God. What do I mean by that complex proposition? Well let me put it to you by way of simple illustration.

Is God against avarice? Is he against greed? We read in the ministry of our blessed Savior how on one occasion he was showing the absurdity of the man who just lived to build bigger barns. The agricultural tycoon who was more concerned for his bank balance than for his spiritual well-being. A man promoted by avarice in his life compelled by greed.

Is God against that? Indeed Jesus said he was a fool and because the day before the day was out his soul was required of him. Was God for that man? Indeed he was not. He was against that man.

He was against his avarice. Is God for pride? Take Nebuchadnezzar this great King one of the greatest monarchs whose story is touched upon in the Old Testament in the prophetical book of Daniel. He is like Herod in the New Testament.

He elevates himself to the position of God because of the power he controls on earth. He deifies himself. Did not God reduce Nebuchadnezzar to one of the beasts of the field so he ate the grass? Was not Herod killed by a stroke from the presence of God it was sent? Was not God against those men in the particular situations outlined in Daniel and the Acts of the Apostles? Is God not against pride? Then how be it that God is for me? How be it that God is for you? You see what I mean when I say my opening reaction when reflecting upon this this simple statement that hit me with such forcefulness two days ago is that it runs counter to all that I would have expected for I'm an avaricious man.

I'm a proud man. I'm a sinful man. Is God against sin? Of course he is.

Then how can God be for me? How can God be for you? An astounding supposition. But stay with this sentence for a moment and close in just upon two words which become the crux of the the whole statement the the pivot on which everything swings. If God be for us.

I said that you've got the the gist of Romans the gist of New Testament theology wrapped up in that one sentence. I go further. If you fully understand what is meant by the Apostle using those two words for us then again you have an excellent grasp of the total teaching of the Bible in its revelation of the purposes of God.

You could I repeat take those two words for us lift them out of this text and say that that is a title that describes the whole of Paul's epistle to the Romans right up to the eighth chapter. What's this man concerned to do? Well he tells you in Romans 1 verse 16. He's he's concerned to explain the gospel of Christ for I am not ashamed.

You know the text don't you? I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed. And he spends the second chapter and the third chapter showing us the miserable condition of Jew and Gentile.

How all are condemned because of their sinfulness. And then towards the end of the third chapter he breaks forth in describing the magnitude of the gospel of Christ and how Jesus loved us. How God sent his son to die for us.

The fourth and fifth chapters he'll make reference to our union with Christ. In the sixth and seventh chapters he will make reference particularly in the seventh to the twist the perversion in man's nature. And in the eighth chapter he'll speak about the sending of the Holy Spirit and how the Spirit of God when he takes up residence within the life of a believer convinces him that he belongs to God and becomes his son.

All right there's a lot of verbiage that's just flown from my lips in the last couple of minutes. What does it mean? If you stack together the whole of the reasoning in summary fashion of Paul from Romans 1 to chapter 8. He is commenting on this astonishing fact that God is for us. For us.

In all our sinfulness. In all our depravity. The whole of the New Testament.

The whole of the Bible my friend is encapsulated in those two words. What is the biblical message to mankind? God is for us. An extraordinary situation.

An astounding supposition. But this is indeed the case. But still stay with those two words and think them through a little more carefully.

Because behind them is the idea that God has entered into history. You say how on earth do you work that out? Well again just apply pure logic and it's not beyond the youngest person here to follow. Let's take the case of the abstract philosopher shall we.

That is the philosopher in the university and the colleges. Let's take the humanist or take one of the great teachers of the other so-called world religions. Let's say Hinduism or Buddhism or Confucianism.

Can any of these men tell us that God is for us? They can tell us that there is God. Of that they are convinced. Even the deist.

The deist philosopher is convinced that God exists. He realizes on the basis that a watch needs a watchmaker. That this world needs a creator.

But you can go no further than that. You know that there is a supreme being. It does not make sense to speculate on the fact that the world came from nothing.

We know that there is a final and absolute cause. That is reason. But that's oceans away from saying that God is for us.

How do I know that this impersonal being has a concern for me? What is he like? He has all power. That is obviously the case. Look at the the heavens and the earth.

Look at his handiwork in the formation of a petal. But what do I know about the nature of this God? You see unless he has involved himself in the affairs of mankind in a tangible, in a visible way, then I know very little that will be of comfort to me. He may be against me.

He may want nothing to do with me at all. He may see me as an insignificant little pebble like the many that there are on Worthing Beach. How do I know that God has any more concern for me than that inanimate object? Well you see I know because the Bible says God is for us.

How about you say you're on a circular argument. You still have not indicated what is behind the Apostle Paul's use of that phrase, for us. All right I'll answer the question.

He that spared not his own son. There's the answer. How do I know God is for us? Well I know says the Apostle because he didn't spare his own son.

God sent Jesus into this world. God sent the second person of the ever-blessed Trinity. He clothed him with flesh and blood.

He lived and he died like men and live and die but he retained his sinfulness. His sinlessness. How do I know that God is for me? I know he's for me because Jesus shed his blood on Calvary's cross.

Because the whole of Jesus's ministry was a revelation of God. Do you remember the disciples one day they got a theological problem. Lord Jesus show us the Father.

We've been with you a long time but we want to know what God is really like. And it was a fair question at one level but indicated dull understanding at another. So Jesus said and mark his words they're in John's Gospel.

Have I been so long time with you and you didn't know me? Don't you realize that the Father is in me and I am in the Father. I'm the revelation of God. I have come to this world to show that God is for humankind.

By identifying myself with ordinary people and dying on the cross for their sins. If God be for us who can be against us? I say that's a remarkable statement. Flies in the face of logic of my understanding of the doctrine of God because he's such a holy God.

Such a pure God and yet despite his holiness despite his his purity or perhaps because of it he's entered time and space and another attribute he's revealed for all who run to see it. That he is a God of love who smiles kindly upon certain people within the family of man. I express that carefully as I was sorting words out at the back of my mind then.

Certain people. You see if you came to this text just casually and you were unaware of the context then you might make a wrong conclusion. If God be for us who can be against us? Right he's for every person on this world.

But that is not what the Bible is saying. The text indicates that God is for those who are in a special relationship with him. You see you've got to narrow it down within the context of the 28th to the 30th verses.

Let me read those. We know that all things work together for good to them that love God. To them who are the called according to his purpose.

For whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Now listen. Moreover whom he did predestinate them he also called.

And whom he called them he also justified. And whom he justified them he also glorified. Not all are called.

Not everyone is predestinated. Not everyone is justified. Not everyone shall be glorified.

Therefore when the Apostle says if God be for us he is referring to that distinct group within humanity who have been justified through faith in the Lord Jesus. Somebody was telling me the other day I think it was yesterday morning. About a conversation they had with a person in the town.

And the one who was addressed said they've been to the tabernacle. And although not a regular comer appreciated quote-unquote the way we pack people in here. But failed to appreciate the fact that we got so personal about salvation.

Why is he always ranting on about me as an individual. And my sin. And my response to the gospel.

It's nice to see the people coming. But I don't like to come myself if I feel uncomfortable. I think and those of you who are more informed in historical matters than I am.

If I'm wrong please correct me and give me the right people involved. But I believe it was Disraeli who once said to Queen Victoria. It's a horrible thing madam.

But in these days people are getting personal about their religion. Personal about their religion. All right to have an establishment.

All right to have a general religion for for England. Particularly at the time of the Empire when it was pretty obvious that every Britisher was also a Christian. Or so it seemed to fit.

So it seemed to run. But of course biblical teaching will not agree with that Victorian concept. There are those who are saved.

And there are those who are unsaved. There are those who are justified. And there are those who are unjustified.

There are those whom God is for. And there are those who have not as yet known the smile of God's approval on them. Because they have not responded to what God has done in Jesus.

To show that he is for believing humanity. So then my thinking my meanderings this this morning have have brought before you these three or four ideas. That this statement runs completely in the opposite direction of what I naturally would have expected regarding all men.

That God could be for any strikes me as astonishing. And closing in on those two words for us. I've tried to show you that they encapsulate.

They precede the whole of this epistle. And indeed the whole of the biblical message. But I've had to veer away from the word for from the words for us.

And qualify them. And indicate that they refer to a special group who have acknowledged their sins. And have trusted Jesus as Lord and Savior.

There remains just one other thing for me to bring to your attention then. And again I must express it negatively. There needs to be a warning given.

You see again if you read this casually without great thought. Although you appreciate that the text refers to Christians. You might go away with the idea that there is nothing in this world.

No circumstance. No situation. Which would be contrary to your likes.

Everything in the garden is wonderful for Christian people. Because God's for them. That's what it seems to say isn't it? Doesn't it? If God before us.

Who against us? And indeed some of our evangelical jolly choruses seem to indicate that life is wonderful. Since you let Jesus in. That's changed everything.

And perhaps we know what we're singing about. Perhaps we've got a qualification in our mind. But maybe we project to other people something that is not completely true.

Because the Apostle even in this eighth chapter says that not everything is easy for the for the Christian. After all look at the eighteenth verse of the eighth chapter. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Sufferings and you know enough about the Apostle Paul's lifestyle to appreciate his deprivation and his problem. Let's come down to another verse. Here we are in the twenty-third.

The Apostle here is saying that there is absolute frustration sometimes pent up within the Christian. He says we ourselves groan within ourselves. Now you only groan because there's some discomfort you.

Because there's something that's frustrating you. Come down to the twenty-sixth verse. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities, our weaknesses.

Again something that one would not elect for normally. Weaknesses, infirmities, sicknesses. They come our way.

We don't choose them. They just come. So whatever the Apostle means when he says if God before us who can be against us.

He does not imply that the Christian has an insurance policy against all the ills of life. What he is really arguing is this. Since God for us who can prevail against us.

Who can overcome the faith that we have in God. Who despite all our circumstances can rob us of the sonship that is ours. Because we've trusted Jesus as Savior.

Who can rob us of that assurance that we belong to God eternally. The Christian doesn't have difficulty. Don't believe it.

We wrestle. Says the Apostle Paul. We wrestle.

Not so much against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers. Against the world, the flesh, and the devil. We live in a hostile community.

A hostile environment. It has always been the case. Godly men have always known difficulty.

But the Bible says this in both Testaments. Since God for you, who against you? In the sense of being able to prevail or overcome. Take the case of Abraham.

There he is having put to flight his enemies and those of his nephew Lot. And there comes a moment when he's feeling a little dispirited. A little out of sorts.

And in the 15th chapter of Genesis we read. After these things. All these pressures.

All these political problems. The word of the Lord came unto Abraham in a vision saying. Fear not Abraham.

I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward. Abraham. God is with you.

Nobody shall overcome you. So I've got a friend here who's afraid of death. You're drawing towards even tide in life.

And you're being tested now. As the sands finally start to run their way through the through the glass. Is God going to let you down? Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.

I will fear no evil. For thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff.

They comfort me. If God is for me. I shall not even fear.

When I'm in the valley of deep shadows. The valley of death. Here the psalmist expresses it perhaps.

As beautifully as in the 23rd Psalm. I'm in the 27th. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life. Of whom shall be afraid? You afraid of the international situation? You afraid that one day somebody may be insane enough to drop an atom bomb or a cobalt bomb? When the wicked even mine enemies and my foes came upon me to eat up my flesh. They stumbled and fell.

Though an host should encamp against me. My heart shall not fear. Though war should rise against me.

In this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the Lord. That will I seek after.

That I may dwell in the house of the Lord. All the days of my life. To behold the beauty of the Lord.

And to inquire in his temple. If God before me. What can prevail against me? Alright you're concerned about your family.

You're concerned about relationships. Look at the 10th verse. Here's a verse for you.

When my father and my mother forsake me. Then the Lord shall take me up. The greatest of treacheries at the human level.

Does not eclipse the fidelity of God. If God before me. Who shall be against me? And so I could go on.

Telling you if there was time to the 40th chapter of Isaiah. And showing you there the great statement of the doctrine of the of the sovereignty of God. I could take you on into the 41st chapter of that same prophecy.

Where the Lord speaks to the worm Jacob. And those who fear the men of Israel. Who are afraid because of their enemies.

For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand. Saying unto thee. Fear not I will help thee.

Fear not thou worm Jacob. And ye men of Israel. I will help thee saith the Lord.

And thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel. And so you see the case my friend. It's all the way throughout the Bible.

This statement that God is for those who have trusted him. Who then will be able to prevail against such people. Take this.

Take it to your heart. If you know Jesus as your Lord. And realize this.

As I read to you again that paraphrase from the last verses of Romans 8. Despite all my problems. I am convinced that nothing can ever separate me from his love. Death can't.

Life can't. The angels won't. All the powers of hell itself cannot keep God's love away.

My fears for today. My worries about tomorrow. Or where I am high above the sky.

Or in the deepest ocean. Nothing will ever be able to separate me from the love of God. Demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ.

When he died for me. How do I know it? Because God is for me. An astonishing.

But a true assertion. Amen. Since God is for us.

What can prevail against us for confirming our faith afresh this morning. From your word. We bless you Holy Sovereign Father God.

Continue now with us throughout this day. And help us to spend our hours bringing praise to you. In all that we do.

In the name of the Savior. And by the strengthening of the Holy Spirit. Amen.