If God Be For Us…

The Apostle asks his readers, ‘What shall we then say to these things?’ It is a question as to what ‘things’ Paul is referring to. If it is ‘the sufferings of this present time’ in v. 18 then he has shown that for believers our sufferings, while real, are not to be compared to the blessing laid up in store ‘for them that love God’. All things are presently working for our good, even our sufferings, and every element in God’s sovereign plan of grace leads inevitably to our glory.

Troubles are real

We do not minimise the difficulties our brothers and sisters are called to face in this life. Pain, loss and hardship afflict the Lord’s people along with others. We are prone to all the effects of sin and the consequential decay of the flesh. Yet our aches and anxieties will be tempered as we trust in God and His eternal purpose for our greater good and glory. Every pathway His providence leads is strewn with sufficient grace to help us endure and overcome our trials.

The Master-builder

Perhaps the question, ‘What shall we then say to these things?’ refers to the great covenantal columns of everlasting love, election, calling, justification and glory cited in vv. 29, 30. These pillars stand on the unmoveable foundation of free, sovereign grace. The church is God’s building and everything in it is perfectly designed, constructed and guaranteed. Nothing remains for us to do but to occupy and be thankful. We glory in God’s workmanship. What more can a believer say to ‘these things’ than, ‘Amen, amen and amen’.

Be encouraged

These great achievements of divine purpose stand as bulwarks of God’s goodness and mercy. Nothing can be added to them. Free grace forms a complete suite of blessings. The plan of salvation is fit for purpose. It was conceived in the pure, omniscient and omnipotent mind of God. It is perfectly framed according to the decrees of God. It is perfectly accomplished by the Son of God and perfectly applied by the Spirit of God. Our salvation is settled and sure.

So great salvation

Perhaps, after all, Paul’s question is rhetoric – not seeking an answer at all. He is inviting us to acknowledge that the greatness of God’s covenant purpose is, in the end, inexpressible were we to spend eternity trying. Every free-grace preacher must acknowledge His limitations. A lifetime’s study barely scratches the surface of the wonder of this gospel. The glory, beauty and majesty of the covenant of grace merely attests the greater glory, beauty and majesty of the One who formed it thus. 

He is faithful

Nor can anything be said against this exquisite doctrine, though ignorant and foolish men try. This is the glorious gospel of Christ, the epitome of wisdom and the embodiment of truth. It is a true and faithful saying worthy of all acceptation for ‘Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners’. It is certain and undeniable. The massed legions in hell tremble before its authority. Blind atheists on earth buckle under its weight. Such is the power of the gospel to effect God’s will that the Lord’s own people are saved by it despite our own shortage of faith to believe.

The song of the redeemed

This message is the gospel of free, sovereign, everlasting grace. It reveals the love of God, His electing choice, His effectual call, His justifying mercy and His unchanging will to bless the church for the sake and glory of His Son Jesus Christ. ‘What shall we say to these things?’ We say, ‘Thank you’. We say ‘Praise the Lord!’ We say, ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing’.

Safe in His hand

In tomorrow’s service we shall encourage one another by reminding ourselves of the Apostle’s rejoinder to His own question. ‘If God be for us, who can be against us?’ If God has loved us, called us and justified us by the blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ, His own dear Son, who can undo God’s acceptance of His people. If God has ordained all things to work together for our good, who can overthrow His decrees and confound His purpose? If our Saviour has died and risen again; succeeded and gained His prize, who shall pluck us out of His Father’s hand? 

Amen.