God for Us

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Romans 8:31

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

I. HOW GOD IS FOR US.

1. Because He hath predestinated His people to be conformed to the image of His own dear Son. "No weapon which is formed against thee shall prosper," etc.

2. He has called us. When Abraham left the land of his forefathers and went forth, not knowing whither he went, he was quite safe, because God had called him.

3. He has justified us. All the people of God are wrapped about with the righteousness of Christ, and God regards them with the same affection as that wherewith He loves His only-begotten Son.

4. He hath also glorified us, "for He hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." He will also glorify us, for He hath prepared a kingdom for us from the foundation of the world. But though this brings in the context, I cannot bring out the depth of the meaning of how God is for us. He was for us before the worlds; He was for us, or else He would never have given His Son. He has been for us in many struggles — how could we have held on until now had it not been so? He is for us with all the omnipotence of His love and with all His boundless wisdom.

II. WHO ARE AGAINST US?

1. Man. How man has struggled against man! We do not in this age feel the cruelty of man to the same extent as the Reformers did, but in many cases we are misrepresented, slandered, abused, ridiculed for truth's sake. Well did Jesus say, "Beware of men." " Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves." But what are they all? Suppose every man were against you, you might say, as did, "I have truth on my side, and therefore against the world I stand." Of what use was the malice of men against Martin Luther? Men are only puppets moved by God's hand; therefore be not afraid of them. Latimer greatly displeased . by his boldness in a sermon, and was ordered to make an apology on the following Sabbath. After reading his text he began: — "Hugh Latimer dost thou know before whom thou art this day to speak? To the king's most excellent majesty, who can take away thy life; therefore, take heed that thou speakest not a word that may displease; but then consider well, Hugh, from whence thou comest; upon whose message thou art sent! Even by the mighty God! who is all-present, and who beholdeth all thy ways, and who is able to cast thy soul into hell! Therefore, take care that thou deliverest thy message faithfully." He then proceeded with the same sermon, but with more energy. Such courage should all God's children show when they have to do with man. Modesty is very becoming, but an ambassador of God must recollect there are other virtues besides modesty.

2. The world. This world is like a great field covered with brambles and thorns and thistles, and the Christian is continually in danger of rending his garments or cutting his feet. Luther used to say there was no love lost between him and the world, for the world hated him and he hated it no less. Care little for this world, but think much of the world to come. This poor quicksand, get off it lest it swallow thee up; but yonder rock of ages, build thou on it, and thou shalt never suffer loss.

3. The flesh, the worst of the three. We should never need to fear man nor the world if we had not this to contend with. Some have an irritable temper, others a covetous disposition. Some have to fight against levity, others against pride or despondency. But despite all this we shall one day be found without fault before the throne of God.

4. The devil. He knows our weak points, he understands how to cover up the hook with the bait; and how to take one this way and the other the opposite. But what matters the devil when we have this text. The devil is mighty, but God is almighty.

III. WHO ARE NOT AGAINST US.

1. God the Father. He cannot be against His own children.

2. God the Son. How sweetly He has been for us! The Cross says, "Christ is for you," and to-day the tenor of His plea before the throne is, "I am for you." When He shall come a second time the trumpet will ring out, "Christ is for you."

3. The Holy Spirit as the Comforter, the Illuminator, the giver of life.

4. The holy angels, who are our ministers.

5. The law of God, once our enemy, is now our friend.Conclusion: —

1. There is an opposite to all this. If God be against you, who can be for you?

2. But if God be for you, you ought to be for God. If God has espoused your cause, ought you not to espouse His?

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