July 9, 2018

There Is No Such Thing as a Dumb Question

Romans 8:31–32

Callie Chisum
Monday's Devo

July 9, 2018

Monday's Devo

July 9, 2018

Central Truth

The Bible is full of God's promises to us, promises to never leave us, to love us, to provide for us. Paul uses these verses in Romans 8 to emphasize that God backed up His promises with action. We never have to wonder if He means what He says.

Romans 8:31–32

God's Everlasting Love

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be 1 8:31 Or who is against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Footnotes

[1] 8:31 Or who is

Dive Deeper | Romans 8:31–32

There's just something about locker-room pep talks that makes us believe the impossible is possible. For me, it's in the show Friday Night Lights when Coach Taylor yells, "Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose," and suddenly I'm off the couch ready to throw myself into that game. There are some key elements to make a pep talk effective: someone we trust to say the words, an opposing force to defeat, and hope that we can defy the odds and emerge with a victory. 

Paul has gained some experience by this point in his ministry. He's on his third missionary journey and has faced many trials for the sake of spreading the gospel. Paul's goal is to get to Rome, but since he is unable to, he writes this letter to the church there, letting them know he's on their team. If anyone can be trusted, it's the guy who "rejoices in suffering" (Romans 5:3). 

When Paul asks "who can be against us," the answer is no one because God is for His people. Sin and death can't stop us because Christ saved us (Romans 8:1-2), and none of the things listed in Romans 8:35 can keep us from being saved by Christ. 

Why would we doubt that God wants to defeat sin, death, troubles, distress, and danger for us? The sacrifice of His only Son would make no sense if anything other than our own unbelief could keep us separated from Him. We are heirs and privileged to share everything He has. Because He defeated death, we win!

 

This month's memory verse

24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

– Romans 7:24–25

Discussion Questions

1. In what areas of your life do you have a hard time trusting God? Do you think He is really "for you" in these areas?

2. Does the fact that Christ died for you have an effect on the way you see trials? Does it change the way you go to Him during those trials?

3. What ways have you seen Him work in your life recently that is evidence that He gives you good things?