Bible Study - Victory (5) - Victory over Fear - Romans 8:31-39 - April 2, 2017

Bible Study – Victory (5) – Victory over Fear – April 2, 2017

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled “Victory.”

Our focus scripture is Romans 8:31-39.

Separation from GOD and HIS love is something we need never fear.

The grace of GOD transforms us from sinner to saint through the process of 

sanctification. Sometimes life can make us fearful but our assurance is in the victory has already been won. Christians have nothing to fear.

Christians coming out of the pagan culture feared that the One True GOD as represented by JESUS would abandon them as did the false gods they had been worshiping. The false gods were fickle and could not be trusted. These were figments of their imagination. Of course, they are false. Christians must be careful not to embrace false idols e.g. horoscopes, astrology, four leaf clovers, rabbit’s foot, lucky shoes and the list goes on. The steps of Christians are ordered by GOD. HE alone cares for us, protects us and guides us through life until we go home to be with HIM in Heaven.

Dr. Gregory T. Pouncey, Senior Pastor of Tillman’s Corner in Mobile, AL, wrote the lessons for the Advanced Bible Study, spring 2017, LifeWay, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN. On page 60, Dr. Pouncey gives an excellent overview leading up to our focus scripture.

[Romans Chapters 1-7 describes Paul’s theology of salvation, and chapter eight reveals the blessings and benefits of that great salvation.

It begins with a declaration that there is no condemnation for those who are in CHRIST (Romans 8:1). Paul then demonstrated how the Holy Spirit liberates the believer from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:1-11). In Romans 8:12-30, Paul detailed some of the works of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. The Holy Spirit puts to death the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:13), testifies that we are GOD’S children (Romans 8:15), helps us in our weaknesses by interceding for us (Romans 8:26), and causes all things to work together for good (Romans 8:28).

In light of the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer, Paul assured the Romans that they could live victoriously (Romans 8:31-39). They did not have to live in defeat because of sin and death. JESUS had conquered both sin and eternal death. Now, a Christian can live a life that rises above all the things that threaten peace and joy.]

Let’s explore!

The three major sections that we will explore as defined by our focus scripture are:

GOD is greater than anything that tries to come against us as Christians.

GOD is greater than anything that tries to condemn us as Christians.

GOD is greater than anything that tries to separate us from HIS love as Christians.

Let’s read Romans 8:31-32: (GOD is greater than anything that tries to come against us.)

The Believer's Triumph

31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

What things was Paul writing about? It was:

-         Christians are no longer slaves to sin and eternal death.

-         Christians are no longer orphans, they have been adopted/born-again into the family of GOD through faith in JESUS.

-         As GOD’S Son or Daughter, through faith in JESUS, he or she has the full rights and privileges GOD desires for HIS Children as children of the King of Kings.

-         Christians are citizens of Heaven.

-         The Holy Spirit intercedes for Christians. Since the Holy Spirit is the third part of the Trinity, HE knows the will and purpose of GOD.

-         The Holy Spirit indwells every true Christian and leads them to obediently serve GOD according to HIS plan and purpose for the lives of Christians.

-         GOD’S goal for every Christian is for them to be made into the image of JESUS.

Paul admonishes Christians to ponder these truths. Since GOD is for Christians, HIS children, who can be against them? It is a question with a positive answer, no one, power or thing, seen or unseen.

32 He did not even spare His own Son, but offered Him up for us all; how will He not also with Him grant us everything?

Our salvation cost the life of GOD’S only Son, JESUS. The key is that JESUS willingly gave HIS life that all, who place their faith in HIM, will receive forgiveness for their sins and the gift of eternal life. JESUS did this because HE loves us. John 3:14-17 captures the extent of GOD’S love for all who will place their faith in JESUS.

John 3:14-17:

14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness (Numbers 21:4-9), so the Son of Man (JESUS) must be lifted up,

15 so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life.

16 "For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

In verse 32 of our focus scripture, the phrase “offered HIM up” is also translated “delivered HIM up.” The phrase carries the idea that after careful consideration and thought GOD, like a judge, chose to allow HIS only SON, JESUS, to go to earth and give HIS life to pay, in full, the penalty for sin. JESUS in obedience to GOD’S plan willingly chose to come to earth and be born and live as a human. HE was subject to all the temptations that we as humans experience, yet HE was without sin. That made JESUS to be the acceptable sacrifice to pay, in full, for the sin of mankind. In doing so, JESUS would conquer sin and its consequence of eternal death for all who would place their faith in JESUS.

What is the proof that JESUS accomplished this? GOD raised JESUS from the dead on the third day after HIS crucifixion. The resurrection of JESUS is a Christian’s guarantee of his or her resurrection at the second coming of JESUS. Until JESUS’ second coming, Christians will have a special body fashioned by GOD for them to use while they are in Heaven. When JESUS returns to earth, those in Heaven will come back to earth with HIM and in an instant receive their Glorified bodies. Their Glorified body will be like JESUS’ Glorified body after HIS resurrection.

The love of GOD for all is captured in the words “For GOD so loved the world.” The world includes everyone who has ever been born or will ever be born until JESUS returns and establishes GOD’S Kingdom upon earth.

Let’s read Romans 8:33-34: (GOD is greater than anything that tries to condemn us.)

33 Who can bring an accusation against God's elect? God is the One who justifies.

Paul raises a very valid point. Since GOD is the judge and those who have complied with HIS plan for salvation are GOD’S elect, will HE condemn them? The obvious answer is a resounding “NO!” GOD is the One Who Justifies. GOD is the One Who declares a person righteous. What is our go to verse? It is 2 Corinthians 5:21:

21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.

Let’s read Romans 35-39: (GOD is greater than anything that tries to separate us from HIS love.)

35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

Christians are secure in their faith in CHRIST. Satan is our enemy and he will do all he can to first prevent us from becoming a Christian, which is our choice. Second, if we choose to become a Christian, Satan will do all he can to keep us from living the victorious life in CHRIST. Satan’s desire is for Christians to live defeated lives.

Paul knows the struggles that Christians face and raises an important question, “Who can separate us from the love of CHRIST?” Then Paul continued. Notice the “us.” Paul included himself. Then he continued to raise issues that he had likely faced in his journey with CHRIST. Such as:

-         Affliction – types of distress brought on by outward circumstances. It carries the idea of pressure; pressure that causes you to question the love of GOD for you.

-         Distress – describes something that was narrow or closing in on you causing anguish. Such distress puts limits or narrows our understanding of the love of GOD for us.

-         Persecution – relates to suffering and can result in a Christian questioning GOD’S love for him or her.

-         Famine, nakedness, danger or sword – relates to outward circumstances related to poverty or persecution.

The Jews thought a person who suffered had done something wrong and GOD was punishing him or her. Paul wrote in Romans 8:17:

17 and if children, also heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ-seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

36 As it is written: Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. (Psalm 44:22)

Later, Christians came under severe persecution and some put to death. Even today, ISIS is putting Christians to death.

37 No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us.

Paul admonishes Christians to focus on the fact that JESUS has already won the battle over Satan, sin and death. In CHRIST, Christians are victorious. Paul continued to reveal the conclusion he has come to by obediently serving JESUS. Victory has been accomplished by JESUS and to prove it – HIS resurrection from the dead and HE holds the keys to death and Hades. JESUS rules!

38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!  

Paul covered quite a list of circumstances, supernatural beings, powers, and many other things that a person might dream up that might separate Christians from the love of GOD. These fail to separate Christians from GOD’S love.

Such absolute tenacity assures Christians of the eternal love of GOD.

Do you know this love? Only you can prevent yourself from experiencing this eternal love by saying no to the call of JESUS to accept HIM as your Savior. Today is your day of salvation. Will you accept eternal salvation by asking JESUS to forgive you for your sins and asking HIM to come into your heart and life or will you reject HIS invitation by saying “NO” or “Wait?” Satan wants you to wait because he wants you to go into eternity separated from GOD, HIS love and care for you through eternity. The choice is yours to make. Choose wisely! Blessings!!!