Romans 8:28-39

Vs 28 is a verse filled with comfort and is substantive in meaning but is often taken out of context.

There are three elements that require specific attention.

The first element is the meaning of the phrase, “in all things.”

One meaning could be every single thing which happens to us, by us, with us and for us, God ultimately brings to a great and wonderful conclusion.

The other meaning is that the apostle is talking about “all things” he just described.

Paul has in mind the sufferings of the Christian.

They are blessings in disguise because they are used by God for our ultimate good and benefit.

This does not mean that everything which happens to us is good in and of itself.

Physical suffering is tragic, and I should not say to that believer rejoice this is a benefit that you have cancer.

If it were a benefit, then it would be against the will of God to attempt to heal.

We are supposed to pray for healing.

What Paul is saying is that God redeems the evil that befalls us.

So we are comforted that our suffering is neither futile nor ultimately tragic.

God stands sovereign.

The second thing is who does He work them out for? (vs 28b)

Only for those that love Him.

That love is not a mental assent but of deep affection.

Obedience, discipleship and living the Christian life are the results of loving God.

The third aspect of this verse to be studied is a second distinction that makes this of particular rather than universal application.

Who have been called according to His purpose.

This is not a separate distinction.

All those whom God calls according to His purpose love Him and all those who love God have been called according to His purpose.

The foundation for our comfort is summarized in the next 2 verses. The Gospel. (vs 29-30)

Does the bible teach the doctrine of predestination?

The answer is emphatically yes.

It is just to what degree is the argument.

Verse 29 has been a proof text for those that would deny the concept of predestination.

The view of predestination that is common to the Roman Catholic Church, Methodists, Arminians and to Lutherans is known as prescient view of predestination.

This means having foreknowledge of events before they take place. psychics are described as being prescient.

It’s the look down the corridor of time view.

He is not foreordaining them to believe just that those who will believe are foreordained to be saved.

God does not work faith into their hearts.

The other side is the reformed view.

In which God acts, causing the calling, causing the justification, and causing the glorification.

We must realize that this list is all inclusive. Each category belongs to every other category. (vs 30)

If one is glorified, you must have been justified and if you are justified, then you will be glorified.

So what does this say about once saved always saved?

So then who is justified?

Does calling mean hearing the gospel or inward call to regeneration?

Then what comes before the calling?

So only those that receive the call are those that are predestined.

Which would lead to the only ones justified are the ones predestined.

If you are one of them then yo

Why does foreknowledge get stated first?

We have to know what foreknowledge means.

The verb “to know” has more than one meaning in scripture.

There is the cognitive or simply being aware of.

We see this in people know of God but they don’t know God.

God is aware of all men’s actions.

But this foreknew describes some not all humans.

There is also the intimate side of knowing. (Adam and Eve)

Then there is to be known as to be selected.

God looks at the mass of fallen humanity and selects some to receive the grace of calling, justification, and glorification.

God will not call anyone who He does not know. So it makes sense that foreknowledge comes first.

God has to know me before He can predestine me.

What are we predestined to do?

To be conformed to the likeness of His Son.

The only reason that God has saved me is for the sake of Jesus Christ.

It has nothing to do with our own merit, or our own foreseen good works, but is purely of His grace.

God the Father gives his people as a love-gift to His Son. ()

What shall we say?

What is our response to this announcement of Divine sovereignty?

Do we howl in protest?

Paul’s response should be ours. (vs 31)

Divine sovereignty is the ultimate source of comfort.

The human mind tend to goes fatalistic at worst or pessimistic at best at the thought of this.

Fatalism meaning we are victims of circumstances or the fates.

Random impersonal atoms or activities or forces.

So all my effort can be set aside in one moment of collision with these blind forces?

What Paul is actually saying is that our ultimate destiny is in the hands of a holy, omnipotent, sovereign, righteous, loving, personal God and we should rejoice.

If one molecule is outside of His control, then we have no reason to believe anything He says will come true.

Whatever else happens to me in this world, I know that God is for me.

At times this belief is objected to because it is believed to be a foundation for people to boast.

However the other side of things espouses that God picked me because of the choice that I would make.

Reformers say if God be for me who can be against me.

The answer to that of course is nobody!

The meaning isn’t that no one will ever come against you. It is that ultimately they will all fail.

His own son. Why did Paul put in that qualifier? (vs 32)

Because the entire chapter he has been discussing adoption.

There is only one begotten.

Look at the extent that God has gone to assure your calling.

His only Son and also offers up the inheritance to us set aside for his only Son for us to share.

Who can lay a charge against those that are the chosen? (vs 33)

People will talk about you all time. Both true and untrue.

Just as Jesus said they would. ()

What about when we sin? Does the slanderer have an accusation?

The Holy Spirit bring conviction which leads to repentance, it is God who Justifies.

Who then can condemn?

God is the ultimate condemner.

Paul reminds us that Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father interceding for us.

You have a fixed court.

God, the ultimate judge, gave His son to pay the penalty for your sins.

That Son sits at His right hand as intercessor for you.

That Son was given authority to judge over the earth at His right hand but He is our Advocate.

You are covered from every conceivable angle.

The next question is the only logical one. Who can separate us from His love? (vs 35)

So Paul starts his list. Not an exhaustive one.

Shall trouble, hardship, persecutions, famine, nakedness, sword or peril

Notice what is not in that list.

The three letter word SIN .

He doesn’t mention living in sin by those that profess faith because if your life doesn’t line up with your profession, then your profession wasn’t true.

The perseverance of believers is not due to the intrinsic power of faith, but due to the grace of God, who has promised that he will finish what He starts.

None of us consistently feel the same level on Christ all the time.

That doesn’t mean we are separated from Christ.

When trouble comes, I must run to Christ not from Him.

We are going to face trouble, nakedness, etc. Because we are like sheep. (vs 36)

We are ‘hyperconquerors!’ (vs 37)

That’s the Greek

The Latin is supervincimus which means Super conquerors or super men or women.

How? Through your effort? Through your works? Through His love.

Paul brings this chapter to a dramatic conclusion. (vs 38-39)

Hi list all the things that could potentially derail our relationship with Christ.

Instead of just saying it in one sentence, he demonstrates that nothing can separate us.