If God Is For Us Who Can Be Against Us? Verse and Meaning

by Derek Hill · Print Print · Email Email

My favorite verse in the Bible, one that still gives me goose-bumps is: “What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)  Almighty God is sovereign over all things and He is untouchable.  Nothing can match His Glory, strength, power, might, knowledge, forgiveness, blessings, riches, love, mercy, grace, omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, skill, handiwork, greatness, holiness, righteousness, availability, sensitivity, patience, tenderness, peace, graciousness, gentleness, self-control, joy, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, strategic ways, agape love, bravery, consistency, intentionality, humbleness, willingness, sympathy, empathy, beauty, authority, and anything else you can possibly think of.  HE IS AWESOME!

What things?

“He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.”

“He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.”

This verse starts out with a question, what then shall we say to these things?”  What things is Paul referring too?  The root of this question has the answer in verse 28 preceding it.  “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) This verse brings out the concept of predestination.  You must be called by God to be in His eternal family.  Predestination is a touchy subject because the Bible is clear that God chooses who He chooses.  Many feel like God is a dictator and is using humans as pawns for His own pleasure and satisfaction.  This cannot be further from the truth.  You must look at scripture as a whole to understand who God chooses.  2 Peter 3:9 says, The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”  If God wishes that none would perish, then He most certainly would not condemn anyone to hell for the fun of it.  God knew before the beginning of creation who would choose to love Him.  Those are the elect people that He has called to do His will.  God would never leave anyone out of eternity in heaven if they genuinely love Him and are repentant for their sins.  That is what this verse says.  Right smack dab in the middle of 1 John 4:16, it says, “God is love.”  Love is the complete opposite of evil.  God is incapable of doing evil.  When you have a clear understanding of predestination, Romans 8:28 makes perfect sense.  “For those who love God all things work together for good.”  If you choose to follow and love God, all things will work together for good, even when things seem hopeless.

Is God for us?

Romans 8:31 says that “God is for us.”  Here are some scriptures that express how He is indeed for us.

“He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.” (2 Corinthians 5:5)  God does not want us to fail.  He has sent us the Holy Spirit to guide us and convict us.

“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:18)

“But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)  God is for us so much that He gave His one and only Son as a sacrifice to pay the full debt of humanity’s sin.  He did this to reconcile us to Himself.

“We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)  He already loved us before we gave our lives over to Him.  He is definitely for us.

“And this is the promise that He made to us – eternal life.” (1 John 2:25)  We are assured eternal life with God.

God is for us.  Read the Psalms.   David wrote many that showcased God’s love for him as he was delivered from his enemies.

Can believers be defeated?

“Who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)  The answer to this is “no one.”  Sure we can be persecuted and hurt here on earth, but eternally we will live and bask in the Glory of Christ forever.  “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)  We will never be defeated eternally.  God is the only one who can destroy us eternally and praise His name that He is for us.

Conclusion

If you truly believe in Jesus Christ and have made Him Lord and Savior of your life, you can have confidence in Romans 8:31.  God loves His children!  Stay strong in the Word and prayer as you strive to live a life worthy of the calling.  God bless you!

Have you ever considered the love of God? Take a look at this article:

Why Does God Love Us?

Resources –  The Holy Bible, English Standard Version “Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”; YouTube “Our God” by Chris Tomlin



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