The Father's Love

Romans 8:31 (NIV)

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Derek Thomas writes,

"Paul's first answer is that we should recall "these things" (v. 31a). But what things? 

• Those who are justified by faith alone are not condemned (Rom. 8:1). God has sent His Son to condemn sin in the flesh (v. 3). 
• Those indwelt by God's Spirit may look forward to a bodily resurrection (vv. 12-14); indeed, 
• Present suffering is temporary and should be endured patiently (v. 25) and viewed as birth pangs anticipating our future bodily resurrection (v. 23). 
• The Spirit witnesses with our spirits as to our adoption and inheritance (vv. 16-17). 
• We are surrounded by a comprehensive providence that ensures the achievement of God's final purpose-our conformity to the image of Christ (vv. 28-30).

Summarizing the entire chapter, Paul can now say: "If God is for its, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for its all, how will he not also with him graciously give its all things?" (vv. 31b-32). Our security is grounded in the objectivity of the finished work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. But it is not, initially at least, the love of Jesus that is in Paul's mind; it is the love of the Father who sent Him." [1]


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1. Derek W.H. Thomas. How the Gospel Brings Us All the Way Home (Kindle Locations 888-895). Kindle Edition.