Is the promise of God enough?

In Romans 8:33-34, Paul talks about another aspect. He imagines how we feel about ourselves. This has nothing to do with the reality of God, but our thoughts can be characterized by uncertainty. Therefore, the apostle slips into the role of the uncertain believer:

“Who will accuse the elect of God?
God, the Justifier?
Who should condemn them?
For example, Christ Jesus, who died, or rather was raised from the dead,
who is at the right hand of God,
who also uses himself for us?”
Rom 8:33-34

Just before, the apostle had emphasized that God is for us, not against us (Rom 8:31-32). Some people find such grace too easy. One would rather have a God who makes rules – because it is easier to follow the rules than to have a relationship and be transformed. Another, however, will not feel himself sufficient. Are you sometimes unsure whether God stands by you? These are things that should be talked about. Paul did, probably from experience, here in Romans.

Are you sometimes unsure whether God stands by you?

The focus on one’s own flaws may have a reason in one’s own self-esteem, or in the realization of one’s own inadequacy. It can also be a result of catastrophic theology.

Repeatedly, a long time ago, I visited a deeply believing and deeply frightened man who was lying paralyzed in the hospital. He was lying on the white hospital bed in a black suit. The black suit was in line with the ideas of his church of strict Calvinist character, which emphasized sin and inadequacy. God’s grace was only for special people who recognized their guilt as bottomless. No one was sure if he would ever be worthy to receive the grace of God. Mercy became a scarce commodity. Sin pressed heavily. He could not accept grace because his theology stood in the way. He was afraid of God, although the Gospel says that God was for him. A God characterized by arbitrariness and merciless vengeance leaves consequences in the lives of believers.

God’s promise that He is for us can only get through to us with difficulty for a variety of reasons. It may also be that we are not so easily affirmed by an invisible God when, at the same time, we are cornered by very real people and the burden of life weighs tons on our daily lives. Those who are made out to be worthless need a stronger commitment.

The apostle seems to speak from experience when he expands on God’s promise a little further, asking “Who will accuse you?” and “Who should condemn us?”

The double confirmation

You have to have priorities! It does matter what we think. We can be driven by all kinds of ideas and also be unsettled. In doing so, it would make sense to engage in reliable statements and to strengthen our hearts in them.

So Paul asks us who should accuse us of something or condemn us? What is the most important thing here? It’s as if he says, “Fix your gaze! Don’t keep scrolling! Don’t ‘swipe’ the many thoughts to the left or right all day like on a smartphone, as if there were no end. What really matters? Fix your gaze and ask yourself what is most important.”.

The apostle therefore quotes only two important voices: God and Christ. Focus.

Earlier, he wrote, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31). This is a rhetorical question, because God’s “for us” is greater than anything else. Therefore, he doubles down and says, “Who will accuse the elect of God? Is it God, the Justifier?” (Rom 8:33). Accordingly, if God justifies us, who should convince us of guilt? This is not a trivialization of error, but the focus of the gospel, the good news. This applies to us, and we need to hold on to that.

Focus.

Likewise, he writes: “Who should condemn them? Christ Jesus, who died, or rather was raised from the dead?” (Rom 8:34). In this second point, Paul refers to the core of the Good News, to Christ, who was sent from God to save the world. This is what He had died for. Thus He was also raised from the dead, as a confirmation of justification (Rom 4:25). Should these things now suddenly no longer have any value? Surely Christ will not condemn us? That would be a contradiction with the gospel.

Take a breath, be thankful – this is what Paul encourages. The insecurity that comes from ourselves or from the environment may be considered less than the assurance from God.

“But of Him [Gott] ye are in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption; that it might be so, as it is written: Let him who boasts boast in the Lord!”
1Cor 1,30-31

Four facts for encouragement

Of Christ Jesus, Paul describes 4 things in this passage:

1. who died
2. but rather is resurrected
3. who is at the right hand of God
4. who also uses himself for us.

I already mentioned the first two points: they shape the foundations of the gospel of today (1Cor 15:1-4). However, it goes further than just these two things. The Risen Lord is now at the right hand of God. This recalls the vision of Stephen when he was stoned to death:

“Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
Acts 7:56

At that time, the Son of Man stands at the right hand of God. Paul says simply in Romans that Christ Jesus “is at the right hand of God.” This is an honorable position – God’s “right hand,” so to speak. Similarly, we read this in the letter to the Ephesians:

“[God, who] raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the midst of the super-heavenly, highly exalted above every principality and authority, power and dominion, even above every name that is named, not only in this eon but also in the one to come.”
Eph 1:20-21

The writer of Hebrews sees the Son not only “standing” at the right hand of God, but also “sitting,” which is an expression of an abiding position.

“But this One has offered only one sacrifice for sins, and has seated Himself at His right hand until the performance, and waits henceforth until His enemies are laid at the footstool of His feet.”
Heb 10:12-13

“Therefore may we also … look to the author and perfecter of faith, to Jesus, who instead of the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Heb 12:2

At this position, Christ “uses” Himself for us. If we still doubt, are insecure – Christ not only went the way of the cross, but sits in the most important place next to God and “uses” Himself there for us, i.e. He intercedes for us. We are fainthearted? He remains magnanimous.

The word “use” (Gr. entugchano) is used in two other places in the Epistle to the Romans.

1. Shortly before, Paul referred to God’s Spirit and recorded “what is the mind of the Spirit, because he uses himself godly for saints.” God’s Spirit intercedes for us when we ourselves are at a loss and prays in us with unspoken groans (Rom 8:26-27).
2. In Romans 11:2, the apostle mentions the prophet Elijah: “Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he presents himself to God against Israel?” Elijah addressed God concerning Israel. The story reads in 1Kings 19:14.

Now, when Christ Jesus “uses Himself for us,” it means a mention before God who holds everything in His hands. It doesn’t get any higher than that. There is no better intercession.

The current situation assessment

What is the situation for us now? We know that God is for us. If we are still unsettled, Paul confirms the promise by directing our thoughts to God Himself and His Christ. There lies the absolute standard, the highest authority. If we set the priority for our thinking there, we are sure to receive encouragement. Then who can still be against us?

Deepening

• Exchange with others concretely about your questions
• Talk about your confidence, unanswered questions, and uncertainties.
• Takes each other seriously.
• Be encouraged by God’s promises.
• Not every issue can be resolved – seek help and support when questions seem too big.
• Help may include pastoral care, coaching, psychological help, or other.