Title: Privileges of the Chosen
Romans 69
privilege of the elect
Romans 8:31-34
1. Who will be against us?
Christians have many seemingly adversaries. But Paul says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” The word “if” mentioned here is an emphatic expression, “If God is for us, where is our adversary?” As Paul has argued so far, there is no adversary because God is for us. It seems that there are many beings who oppose us around us, but in fact, they are already defeated by the hand of God. In the true sense of the word, there is no adversary to Christians.
However, this carnal thinking does not result in our being overthrown. Because Christians are not of the flesh, but of the spirit, the Spirit of Christ in us gives us the victory (Romans 8:9). Christians who have the Spirit of Christ are assured of ultimate victory by His Spirit (Philippians 1:6).
(2) Sin is our adversary, penetrating deep into our lives and staining our spiritual life. After becoming a Christian, who is not troubled by sin, and who is not grieved and troubled by sin? But this sin cannot lead us to death. Because we are freed from sin, sin cannot have dominion over us. Because we are outside the realm of sin, we cannot be ruled by sin. “Sin will not have dominion over you, for you are not under law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14).
Sin is just something that afflicts us. However, as a result, this sin gradually decays within us and can be overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit. He has given us a great shield that can fundamentally overcome the adversary called sin, and that is the Christian's privilege called repentance. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
(3) A being called the law is looking over us to interfere with us. The law must be a dreadful being who opposes us to overthrow our spiritual life. The law imposes legal righteousness on us. And when we have sinned, they condemn us out of bounds. The appearance of this adversary is majestic and frightening, but to Christians, it is just a scarecrow. This law has already been completely defeated on the cross. Because the righteousness of Christ has been imputed to us.
Since this righteousness perfectly fulfilled all the requirements of the law, there is nothing more to demand or condemn. Christians who have this righteousness of Christ have fulfilled the requirements of the law and are freed from that curse. Therefore, “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
(4) As our adversary, there are beings who approach us in a stern form. That person is Satan. But Satan is already a complete loser. Satan has given us fear as the one with the power of death, but we are already completely liberated from that power. It says, “I have passed from death to life.” He said that the devil, who took over the power of death, has already been removed and has set us free from slavery to the dead (Hebrews 2:14,15). Because the life of Christ is in us and the power of the Holy Spirit is guarding us, all the powers of Satan cannot be over us.
2. Won't you give me everything as a gift?
Secondly, Paul said: “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how can he not also with him also gift us all things?” God told us that He did not spare His Son. God is abundant in all things. But there is only one Son. The Son is the only begotten Son of the eternal God who is in one substance with the Father (John 1:18). Nevertheless, God did not spare Him for us, but gave Him up for us.
If such a person is our Father, God, how can He not give us all things as a gift together with His Son? The most precious of all this signifies the great gift given to us through the Son: eternal life. And it is the eternal blessing of the kingdom of heaven, promised to us as God's heirs with Christ. And even in matters pertaining to all of our carnal life, He said, “Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” and promised, “All these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:32,33).
3. Who will be litigated?
In verse 33, accusation and condemnation are of the same vein and have the same meaning. The phrase “who can bring charges against God’s elect” means that no one in this world, whether in heaven or under heaven, dares to accuse or condemn God’s elect. If there is such a person, it is a challenge to God. God has set us free from all condemnation through His Son, Jesus Christ, and has been sealed as righteous. Who can bring charges or condemnation?
Another reason why we cannot bring charges against us or condemn us is that “Christ Jesus, who not only died, but was also raised, is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.” His death and his resurrection are closely related factors to every privileged position of the Christian. If there was no death or resurrection of Christ, we would have nothing. All our possessions and privileges have their origin here. But he tells us that he still intercedes for us.
This supplication of Christ is of great significance because it signifies his office as high priest. If he still enters the Most Holy in heaven and intercedes for us as our high priest, then there is no one to bring charges against or condemn.
Conclusion: The Christian's privilege is so wonderful. Where can Ura go to buy these precious things? God predestined us in Christ before the foundation of the world and called us to give us such beautiful things. We must always keep this feeling passionately in our hearts and become saints who live only for the glory of God.