“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 ESV)
How Christians Live on Romans 8:32
There is a way to live on Romans 8:32 and a way to make a mess of it. Honestly, ask yourself this question, which half of Romans 8:32 gets me most excited? Am I more excited about God giving me Christ or God giving me all things? Which is more thrilling to me? Many people engage with Christianity as a means to some other thing they really want. When they get a tough medical diagnosis, they start to pray. When they have a financial hardship, they start going to church. When they need God’s help, they give money to the church. People get spiritual when they need something from God. Of course, what happens to the church going, praying, and giving once the crisis passes?
Their Christianity is not actually Christianity. It’s just man trying to manipulate God, which is the core of all false religions. God is a means to an end instead of being the glorious end Himself.
Real Christianity starts with Christ. Real Christianity begins with Jesus as the greatest gift God could ever give. It is a kind of faith that believes in Jesus even if nothing else comes with him. What do we think of a person who marries for money, or power, or fame? We think, that’s not love. That’s just self-love.
Romans 8:32 offers reassurance for those who treasure Christ more than anything else. Those who look to Christ for his sake and glory. Love Christ for his amazing love. If becoming a Christian meant all you got was Jesus, would you still choose to be a Christian?
If the answer is yes, then Romans 8:32 is a promise to live by. Where do we struggle in life? On the “all things” side. Will my needs be met? Will I make it through this trial? This hard marriage? This health issue? Will God be good to me or to my loved ones? What about my children and grandchildren? What about my future? How about this: on my deathbed, should I be conscious, what do I think about that second after I die? How can I know?
Over and over Scripture points to the cross. See Jesus there. See him in all his divine glory and worth. See him as God’s gift of infinite worth to you. If he gave you his best, he will give you the rest. And the greater my estimation of Jesus as a gift to me, the more confidence I have for all the other things needed in this life and the next. If God is for me, who can stand against me? If God gave me his best, will he not give me the rest?
Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
© 2019 by Steve DeWitt. You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that: (1) you credit the author, (2) any modifications are clearly marked, (3) you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction, (4) you include Bethel’s website address (www.bethelweb.org) on the copied resource.
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