As a Christian, do you ever feel overwhelmed with a sense of inadequacy in your ability to be what God has called you to be and do what He’s called you to do? I wrestle with this occasionally (like every day!), but I’m growing. And the glorious truth of Romans 8:31,32 is the reason why:
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is
against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him
over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
This passage speaks to the fact that my greatest problem in life goes far beyond mere feelings of inadequacy. And in Christ, God has dealt with this problem!
My greatest problem, as Paul reveals earlier in the book of Romans, is that I am an unrighteous, rebellious sinner under the wrath and condemnation of God Almighty. Moreover, I have absolutely no way to free myself from either the presence or penalty of my sin. But God in His abundant mercy has provided the remedy! Jesus Christ fully satisfied the judgment of God through the shedding of His blood, and He has fulfilled the righteous demands of the Law through His perfect obedience. And as God has called me to Himself through faith in Jesus Christ, I am now freed from His condemnation and declared righteous. I am thus reconciled to Him under whose wrath I once lived. If God is for us, who can be against us?
And that brings us to Paul’s point in Romans 8:31,32. If God has done this “BIG” thing – provided the remedy for my sin through the offering of His Son Jesus Christ – He is certainly able and willing to provide the “little” things I need to walk obediently with Him in this life. In other words, if God has chosen to powerfully rescue me from His own judgment and reconcile me to Himself in Christ, will He be any less willing and able to provide all I need on a daily basis in following Him? Will He not daily provide the enabling grace for me to be a godly child of His in this world, a godly husband, a godly father, a godly pastor?
And Oh how He gives! He gives me His living Word to make me adequate (2 Timothy 3:16,17). He has given His Holy Spirit to indwell me (1 Corinthians 3:16). He gives me His strength when I’m weary (Isaiah 40:29). He gives me wisdom in the midst of trials (James 1:5). He gives me mercy and grace in every moment of need (Hebrews 4:16). He gives everything I need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3,4). He gives me every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-14). He gives me daily provision for all my physical needs (Matthew 6:25-34). He gives me ongoing forgiveness and cleansing of my sin (1 John 1:9). He gives me boldness (Psalm 138:3). He gives me peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:6,7). He gives me other believers to encourage me in the faith (Hebrews 10:24,25). The list could go on and on – so abundant are His riches in Christ!
Beloved, when Satan hurls his fiery darts of inadequacy and condemnation your way, lift up the shield of faith with promises like Romans 8:31,32! The God who is able to save you from your sin is also the God who is able to keep you. Nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ. Know it, believe it, cling to it, and act on it. If God is for you, who can be against you?
Growing with you,
