Romans 8:34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. English Standard Version (ESV)
In yesterday's post we considered how the Apostle Paul was praying for the Philippian church and in essence to each of us. He prayed that our love for God and each other would abound and grow.
You've probably seen commercials about a product and when they think they have your interest but might be short of commitment, they say "but there's more". That is a sales gimmick, but what we have here is real. Not only is Paul praying for the church and for us, Jesus is. The ESV and other translations say He is interceding for us while the New Living Testament says that He is pleading for us.
Pastor Greg Laurie writes, "The good news is that Jesus was praying for Peter. And Jesus is praying for you. Romans 8:34 says, "Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us." Jesus is in your corner. He is interceding for you." When we've messed up, or we have doubts and our faith may fail, others may be quick to condemn but in Christ there is forgiveness.
Romans 8:28 to 39 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. It starts by saying that "all things work together for good" for those who love Jesus Christ and are called according to His purpose. Three times in the passage "all things" is mentioned. All things work together for good (v.28), He will graciously give us "all things" that we need (v.32), and in "all things", in Christ, we are more than conquerors."
The passage from The Message starts off with "what do you think?" It is a question that could easily be raised at the end of the passage, what do you think, do you believe this? If so, be encouraged that we have Jesus interceding, pleading on our behalf and realize that " absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us." (V.39 The Message).
Blessings,
Mike
Romans 8:32-39The Message (MSG)
31-39 So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:
They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.
We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.
We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.
None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.
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