Jump Start # 698

Romans 8:31  “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?”

We are running a little theme this week with our Jump Starts. Monday, we looked at being “taught by God.” Yesterday, we considered God working in us. Our passage today shows that God is for us. Together, these verses remind us that God is not idle in our journey through this world. He wants us. He wants us to be with Him. He teaches. He works in us. He is for us.

The setting we find our verse today, is a series of questions that Paul asks.

• If God is for us, who is against us? (31)
• Will He not also freely give us all things? (32)
• Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? (33)
• Who is the one who condemns? (34)
• Who will separate us from the love of Christ? (35)

These verses and questions remind us of the enduring love and care of God. No one is greater than God. No one can stop God. No one can limit God. If God is behind you, there is nothing to fear. If God is on you side, nothing can stop you.

I get the impression from some, that life is like a giant game. We are on the field trying to win. On one side of the stadium is Satan. He is booing us. He wants us to lose. Up in the stands, are the heroes of Hebrews 11, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. And then there is God on the other side. He is cheering for us to win. There have been books written describing this view of life. It may make a great read, but it’s not the way it is. God and Satan are doing much more than cheering from the stands.

Satan is actively trying to tempt you and trip you. He will use any trick that he can. He will use people, things and places. He doesn’t go by the rules, so he will be dishonest, offer false promises and lie. He doesn’t care who he hurts, especially you. He doesn’t care that your feelings are hurt, your mind is confused, or that you want him to leave you alone. He doesn’t care. He doesn’t care that you are a new Christian, someone that is very busy, or someone that has a lot of people counting upon you. He doesn’t care. He doesn’t care that his temptation may ruin your marriage and hurt your family. He doesn’t care that his temptation may cause you to get fired from work, lose your home and be in a real mess. He doesn’t care that you may get arrested, addicted, or shunned by everyone in your family. He simply doesn’t care. Satan is no in the stands cheering, he is a roaring lion, seeking someone, especially you, to devour.

God, likewise, is not in the stands simply waving a pennant with your name on it. He is for you. He is with you. He guards your heart, if you will allow it. He will not allow you to be overcome, if you will follow Him. His way will get your past Satan. He knows how to get through the valleys and the darkness of life. His way leads to a robust marriage, powerful friendships, and a purpose in life that is meaningful and makes a difference to others. His word will make you put the breaks on things. His teachings will mold your conscience and guide you. Guilt will make you stop before you go over the edge. Worship will help you get your perspective in order. God is for you. He wants you to succeed, not financially, but spiritually. He wants you to make it to Heaven.

There will be reminders, all sent by God. He will put people in your life, such as parents, preachers, and godly brethren, who will remind you to keep doing right. They will challenge you when you venture off the path. Why is it this way? It’s not just your parents…it’s God. He is for you. He will not sit back and watch you crash your life without doing something. God’s word serves as a reminder. The words of the Bible pop up in different places. There they are. We know those words. They are God’s fingers pointing us back to Him. God is for you.

We are never alone in our spiritual journey. Paul understood this. When standing before the Roman courts, all had deserted him, except God. God strengthened him. God was with him. So it is for us. You do not go alone into surgery, God is with you. You do not stand up to your boss alone, God is with you. You do not remind the church of what is right by yourself, God is with you. He is always where right can be found. He is wanting you to be with Him.

God loves and wants the best. Unlike Satan, who doesn’t care, God does. Everything about God is good and right and beneficial. Everything about Satan is dark, broken and wrong. Satan doesn’t do anything right. Satan promises but never delivers. God, promises and you can count on those.

In a strange twist of things, God is for us, but often I wonder who we are for? God is doing everything He can to get us to Heaven, but our feet aren’t moving. We are standing still. God is thinking more about our soul than we are. God cares about us more than we care about our selves. Very odd, but so true! If God is for me, am I for Him? Do I love Him? He sure loves you. Do I defend Him, or do I let others say blasphemous things about Him? Do I support Him by attending worship, giving, and being a real citizen in His kingdom?

Ever notice the fans in a college football game—you can tell which side they are pulling for. They wear their team colors. Some wave team colored pompoms. Some have their faces painted. They are all about their team. There is no doubt which side they are for. Now how about this spiritually?

God is for us…who are you for?

Roger