Saturday, 27 June 2020 Romans 8:28-39
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” -Romans 8:37
What is our response to hardships and oppression? Do we struggle with the unrest within or do we declare our identity in Christ? Paul reminds us what a great privilege we have in Christ Jesus – we are more than conquerors!! We can overcome every trial and persecution because when God is for us, no one, absolutely no one can stand against us! This Scripture portion shows us how we can lead a victorious life in Christ.
Recognize the enemy’s tactics: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Rom 8:35) Satan – our adversary tries to bring tribulations, distress, persecution and hardships in our life with the intention to distract and separate us from God. When we face hardships, we may dwell on the impossibilities, failures and rejections in our lives. That is exactly what the devil wants us to see – the adverse circumstances and the impossibilities. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy [John 10:10]. How do we overcome this difficult situation?
Understand the inseparable love of God: “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:38-39) We need to understand and proclaim that God’s love for us is so great that the enemy’s tactics cannot separate us from our Lord. As children of God justified by faith, we have the great assurance that Christ has defeated every power of darkness and through Him we have an inseparable and deep relationship with our Heavenly Father!
Knowing whose we are: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31) What a profound declaration! God is for us—in every step of our Christian walk. God’s grace is for us in our salvation, God’s mercy is for us in our justification, God’s love is for us in our adoption, God’s power is for us in our sanctification and God’s presence is for us in our glorification. This is great assurance for every believer.
Living a victorious life: “…we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Rom 8:38) Jesus did not promise us a problem-free life, but he does give us the assurance that we can overcome all things through Him. See His promise: "In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) In the midst of worldly persecution and suffering, let’s focus on the greatest spiritual victory - one that the world doesn’t see or understand - the glorious, triumphant victory that Christ, our Redeemer bought for us on the cross of Calvary. Through Him we have the victory!
Friend, what is it that you are going today? When we are overwhelmed with the pressures of this world, let us look to Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Heb.12:2) and proclaim that with God on my side, I cannot be defeated! I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me!
Prayer: Abba Father, I thank you for the provision of overwhelming victory I have in Christ Jesus. In the midst of every struggle, Lord give me abundant grace to live a life of victory in Jesus Christ. Amen
Listen: ‘We are more than conquerors’