What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side? Romans 8:31 AMPC
Quite a lot of information goes to the foundation of today's extract: 1. In Christ, there is no condemnation that can stick. His death and resurrection sealed redemption for me, and gives me freedom from the consequences of sin and an assurance of eternal life. 2. No matter how much the law tried, the flesh was its biggest problem, as the flesh could not by itself fulfil God's righteous requirements. Jesus came in the form of that flesh so he could show us a way of life that pleases God and gets us all He has promised. The Holy Spirit is the person that supplies the strength to live to please God, and you can't do it without His Help.
3. I have an obligation to live by the help of the Holy Spirit. What God wants to achieve cannot be done by the flesh because of its limitations due to sin. When I come to God, I am telling Him that I am giving up the old life of sin and embracing the life God offers. 4. I can't play both sides anymore, as God does not provide a fence to sit on. I have to make up my mind who I will submit to, and let it be clear that whoever is in charge of my life will define where I end up in eternity. My life was never my own to begin with, and nothing that happens to me is by accident, even the pains and the sufferings.
5. Pain, persecution and perseverance form part of the package I get when I come to Christ. However, there is a glory that is part of the package, but only for those who are IN Christ. I note that the glory is to be revealed TO, IN, FOR and CONFERRED on us. It runs through the entire spectrum of our life from when we give our lives to Him, until He returns for us, either by physical death or rapture. 6. And by the Holy Spirit, I have constant help to pray in line with God's will. I am not praying to show off grammar or construct, but to establish the purpose of God on the space I have been planted. The Holy Spirit knows the mind of God as well as the thoughts of men, and He alone can make sure that man's will aligns with God's purpose so that God's will can be done.
7. I note that the entire package promised by God has nothing to do with the work I do for Him. It is first about my being in Him, looking like Him, not so much about working for Him. Not saying working for God isn't important, but when I am molded into His image, there is no way that his likeness will not flow out of me. When men see me, they cannot ignore the reflection of the One who models and commands all I do.
And then today's extract: in the light of all the above, is there still any doubt as to whose side God is on? When I consider all that has been done to bring me to where I stand now, is there still any doubt that God wants the earthly and eternal best for me? What can be so powerful that it can snatch me out of God's hands, unless I willingly walk out on God?
As long as God is on my side, it doesn't matter what the quantity and quality of the opposition against me is; nothing is as powerful as the God who owns and holds me. If God cannot be defeated, then I am safe in my position in Him, no matter what comes. It then means that everything else that generates fear should be handed over to God. If nothing can defeat God, so what else is left to fear? Let God speak and every other voice be silent. When God acts, who can stop it or question Him? This knowledge is my greatest blessing, as it frees me to live the life I was created, gifted and placed to live. I shouldn't settle for less; I have the owner of the universe on my side. His time of favour is here.
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