The entire book of Romans pours forth in one fluid and glorious presentation of the magnificent glory of God. It is therefore quite a chore to attempt a short meditation of a single phrase smack dab in the middle of the book. Regardless, previous to verse 31 in Romans 8, Paul builds progressively toward his crescendo.
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness,” that is, He intercedes for us “according to the will of God” (verses 26 and 27). Paul builds it up: “All things work together for good for those who are called” (verse 28). Higher now: “Those whom He foreknew, He predestined!” Predestined to what? “To be conformed to the image of His Son!” (verse 29). And then he goes for it, the maximization of all the wondrous benefits of being chosen by the Lord of Life! “Those whom He predestined (in verse 29) he also called and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified” (verse 30).
The Spirit helps us when we are weak, is the start. And by the end, Paul is talking about our glorification! Oh praise the great name of the Father forever.
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (verse 31). God is for us. This is more true than the mind can grasp. Paul just proved this. God has a plan of glory for us. The conclusion then for Paul, is to give verification of strength for the weak man in verse 26. Yes we are weak, but the Spirit intercedes. And further God has promised Glory! If this is the case, who can be against us?
A whole slew of possible answer rush to our minds. Bills. They can surely be against us. Thieves can empty us of our pockets, of our dearest possessions. They are against us. Taxes, bad weather, death of a loved one, back pain, being laid off, starvation, a poor economy, car accidents, depression. The liar, the gossiper, the mugger, the dishonest businessman, the land lord, the DMV.
Wrong!
That is the message of verse 31! No person, no circumstance can truly be against the man who has the promise of glorification to hold on to! ”The odds are ever in our favor.”
The pain, the frustrations of the world of “against” are temporary. And furthermore they weigh nothing. But think for a moment, as CS Lewis put it, of the weight of glory. Truly there is nothing against you. For that which is now seemingly against you has been defeated at the moment of God’s “foreknowing.” In eternity past, God foreknew. Therefore in eternity past, God solidified the hope of glory.
“If.” If all those wonderful statements of Romans 8:26-30 are true, that is, if God is eternally for us, then nothing, not one minute detail or particle of evil can ultimately be against you. ”If God is for you.”
Is God for you?
If so, who is against you? If you think of something, write it down. Then pray to God and thank Him for his everlasting promises.
Then open your eyes and scratch it off the list.
The answer to the question, if you are called, is “no one.” No one is against you.
