God is for us
I like to write sayings or scripture on my chalkboard at home that speak Truth to my heart. For the last few months "God is for us" has been scrawled across the board. I came across this familiar phrase when I was studying Romans 8 awhile back.
This was Truth I needed to rest in! It encouraged and strengthened my heart!
"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)
Have you ever struggled to believe this? Have you ever found yourself wondering if God is really for you?
I know I have...
In the past I found myself living life as if God was for me when I made good choices, tried to do the right things, prayed, read my bible everyday, volunteered, and the list goes on.
I felt ashamed and struggled to approach God when I sinned, made bad decisions, or lacked diligence in praying and reading the bible.
I felt like I waivered between being in God's favor and out of it. I longed to be victorious, but I was relying on my own strength and determination.
Over the last five years the Lord has been revealing more of His character to me through His Word. He is a merciful, forgiving, strength-equipping God! He sees the broken, humble heart and draws close. Lately, everywhere I turn, it seems, I am reminded of this Truth: God is for us... in my women's Bible study, a song on the radio, a message series at church, a devotional. Wow! God is so good!!
Who is the "us" the scripture passage is talking about?
Romans 8:1 says:
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
How are you "in Christ Jesus"?
We are in Christ Jesus through faith in Him. Faith that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; faith that He died to satisfy the wrath of God for our sin; faith that He rose from the dead on the third day and is alive evermore!
Faith that He alone can justify us before God the Father.
"Is for us", means to be on one's side, to favor and further one's cause.
When we are in Christ Jesus through faith, we are God's children. He is on our side because we are His! He works to further His cause in our lives for His glory and our good!
He doesn't give up on us when we fail. He continues His work in us through His Spirit, drawing us to a greater love of Him and His will, and a greater hatred of sin, selfishness, and self righteousness.
He works in His children's hearts by His Spirit, to bring victory in our lives!
We CAN have victory! Victory over sin and victory in producing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. (Galatians 5:22-23)
God is for us means, He has already supplied His children with EVERYTHING needed to have victory in this life and ultimately victory over death. He sent Jesus to pay our debt and gave us His Spirit to help us, comfort us, and continually point us to Truth.
Following the above scripture in Romans 8 is:
"...Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:34-35, 37-39)
WOW! We are victorious through Him who loved us; nothing can separate us from His love!
This is God and He is for His children!
When I rest in this Truth, I no longer feel like I'm waivering between being in God's favor or not. Instead I recognize I am justified by faith in Jesus Christ and His righteousness. As I yield to the Spirit He works in me to produce what is right. I am humbled and filled with such gratitude that God forgives me when I fail; that I can approach Him to ask for mercy and help in time of need!
When I rest in the Truth that God is higher, stronger, wiser, greater, and more powerful than anything or anyone else, I am inspired to live for Him alone...
The only true and living God who loves me and is for me!
Blessings,
Amy
