Passage
Romans 8:31-39
31What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then can condemn? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Questions & Commentary
At the end of verse 31, Paul asks a question that expresses a depth of belief necessary in our Christian walk. If we truly believe that God is for us, that He is on our side, and that He desires to see us live a full life, how differently would we live? The second half of Paul’s question declares God’s ultimate power over any opposition that might face us.
Paul goes even farther, proclaiming how our great God allowed His beloved Son to die for us. He loves us that much. Paul details the hope that we have because of Christ, which gives us purpose in every circumstance. No matter what suffering we face in life, we know that through Christ we will defeat the trail, and we will overcome. Paul expresses truths in this passage that give us freedom and hope for all areas of our lives!
1. Is there a hardship that your heart is struggling through right now? Do you believe God is for you, and that no matter how hard the situation, you have a God who is greater?
2. What does it mean for God to graciously give you all things? Do you believe that God desires to do that for you?
3. How would you live differently if you believed that it is God who justifies (defends, judges)? Are there people in your life that you need to stop pouring judgment on and choose to love them in grace and truth, and leave the rest of it up to God?
4. Are you willing to be vulnerable with people outside of your community and comfort zone who don’t know about Christ’s love?
5. Do you believe that God loves you right now, just as you are? How can you fall even more deeply in love with Jesus today?
Devotional Author: Esther Wright