We Who Overwhelmingly Conquer
Jesus Christ is victorious (Col 2:15). At the cross, our Lord defeated the enemies of God. In His triumph, He dealt with sin, death, the devil, demons, and the world system that is antichrist. God is always leading His chosen people in the victory parade (2 Cor 2:14). We join Christ’s victory by faith in Him and His finished work (1 Jn 5:4).
The Apostle Paul assured the church at Rome that God is the One who causes all things to work together for good for those who love the Lord, who has called them to salvation and service (Rom 8:28). The early churches suffered in diverse manners; and it was Paul’s encouragement for them to not lose heart, nor to grow weary in doing good amidst opposition (Gal 6:9; 2 Thess 3:13).
In Romans chapter eight, Paul draws an analogy between Christian suffering and creation’s current troubles. The Apostle adds the imagery of childbirth. The Christian’s current state is pregnant with hope despite the evident birth pangs. We are all waiting for the end to come on the day known only to God (Mt 24:36).
Hope in the promises of God is based on faith in the Person of God. We trust what the Bible tells us about God’s plan of salvation for His chosen people whom He loves with an unfailing love. God’s love is also unchanging because God is love (Mic 7:18, 20; 1 Jn 4:8); and He does not change (Heb 13:8). He is immutable (Heb 6:17).
In His fore-love, God predestined some to adoption into His family as children (Rom 8:29; Eph 1:4–5). He did this before the foundation of the world, when He made His gracious choice of a remnant people drawn from every nation, tribe, and tongue (Rom 11:5–6; Rev 5:9; 7:9). People from every generation and every place have been predestined to be conformed to the image of His only begotten Son (Rom 8:29).
His promise is that if one has been predestined before creation was, then he or she will be, in time, called out of the darkness and into the marvelous light of Christ and His eternal kingdom (1 Pet 2:9). Being effectually called means that one has been justified by the precious, shed blood of Christ — an atonement for sin (Ex 30:10; Rom 5:9; Heb 9:22; 1 Pet 1:19).
Paul had already explained the plight of sinful man in Romans 1:18–3:20. He also explained the justification that Abraham, as the prime example (Rom 4–5), received by the grace of God as a gift manifested by Abraham believing the promises of God — a promise sourced in the eternal decree of God and sealed with an oath and eternal covenant (Heb 13:20).
God promises to finally secure every single soul He chose unto salvation. These will be glorified on the day of Christ’s second coming (Rom 8:30). These elect, redeemed, regenerated, believers who died “in Christ” will be resurrected to life on the last day at His glorious appearing (Jn 5:29; 2 Tim 4:8; Titus 2:13).
There is a blessed assurance in Romans 8 that gives great hope, today, and in the future. The end of this present creation will be followed by the establishment of the new creation (Is 65–66; 2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21–22); thus, we press on toward the mark of our high calling in Christ Jesus (Phil 3:14).
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In bringing a flurry of questions pertaining to the believers’ assurance of salvation (Rom 8:31–35), the Apostle Paul is making an argument for the impossibility of Christ’s church being separated from Him. The Christian meditates on all that Christ has done for him; and there is only one possible conclusion drawn from His death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and enthronement. The love of Christ for His betrothed, His church, keeps us through various troubles in this world (Jn 16:33).
This love of God in Christ Jesus cannot fail (1 Cor 13:8). All whom the Father has given to the Son have been purchased, redeemed, atoned for, justified, and sanctified (Jn 6:37; 17:2, 6, 9, 24; 18:9). Paul adds that Christ intercedes for His people (Rom 8:26). Just as He prayed for His disciples during His earthly ministry, so He prays for His church, today. He is our one and only Mediator with God (1 Tim 2:5; Heb 8:6; 9:15).
Jesus promised His disciples that in the world they would have trouble (Jn 16:33). He then assured them that He had overcome the world. Paul gives the church at Rome a list of troubles that Christians may be enduring at any time. God disciplines His children (Heb 12:4–11); hence, troubles serve a purpose in God’s design upon each one’s life (2 Cor 1:4). Christians suffer the scorn of the world; for all who live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Tim 3:2). Opposition can turn from bad to worse, from resistance to deadly persecutions. The death of martyrs is common, especially in places where Christians are in the minority and defenseless.
Romans 8:18–39 is climactic. Moving forward, Paul addresses questions about the Jews (Rom 9–11) and how to live a practical Christian life (Rom 12–15). The actual climax to the plight of man, justification, sanctification, also promises glorification after joining in the sufferings of Christ.
The promise of a glorious future is precious to the believer who hopes and prays for Christ’s return in glory (Rev 22:17). We have no victory apart from Christ (Jn 15:5); but through Him we overwhelmingly conquer every obstacle and opposition (Rom 8:37). Entrance into His eternal kingdom will be abundantly supplied (2 Pet 1:1). With death as the last enemy, even the saints who were martyred as sheep for the slaughter, enjoy the victory by faith and then by sight. Still, through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).
God’s exclusive love for His chosen people, Christ’s church (1 Jn 3:1), does not mean we have a free pass to avoid suffering (Rom 8:17; 1 Cor 1:24). Christians must never promote the false message of “come to Jesus and your problems will go away.” With the gift of the Holy Spirit granted to each of God’s elect (Mt 3:11; Acts 1:5), faith is what matters (Heb 11:6). Faith is a gift of God’s grace (Eph 2:8–9), granted to those to whom God the Father and God the Son send God the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:26; 15:26). Faith is tested by trials and tribulations, to show that it is genuine (Heb 11:17; Jas 1:3, 7; Rev 2:10).
We trust in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to see us through to glory (Phil 1:6). Our triune God has decreed the days appointed for each one (Ps 139:16); and knowing that God knows what we are enduring, the Word of God serves as a help and a comfort in our time of need (Jn 14:16). Thank God for His indescribable gift that gives us hope and a sure future (Jer 29:11; 2 Cor 9:15).
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
March 3, 2025
Romans 8:18–39
