We have been studying Romans 8.

1.          We know that our salvation is certain. 

The Holy Trinity plays a part in keeping our salvation.

a.          The Lord Jesus assures us of our salvation — there is no condemnation.

b.         The Holy Spirit is in us to assure us that we are God’s children — we are joint heirs with Christ.

c.          God the Father assures us that nothing can separate us from the love of God.

d.         Paul proved that God cannot fail us.

2.         Is it possible that we fail Him?

a.          Suppose some great trials or temptations come upon us and we fail.  Then what?

b.         Paul explains to us that we can have confidence in God.

c.          We can be super conquerors. 

I       OUR CONFIDENCE IS IN THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

1.          Our confidence in God.

a.          Christians are not sheltered from the difficulties of life.

b.         Furthermore, God assures us that the difficulties of life are working for us – not against us.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” 

c.         However, Romans 8:28 does not mean that everything will turn out well in this earthly life, as many thought to be.

            It means that all things will work out for our ultimate good.

2.         Our confidence in God’s plan of salvation.

            This confidence rests on the certainty of our salvation which began before time with God’s foreknowledge, and will end beyond time with our glorification.

            This certainty of salvation is in Romans 8:29–30.

            It is known as “the golden chain.”

            Notice that the emphasis is on God doing everything.

            Romans 8:29, 30 “²⁹For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”

-                                        Our confidence is that God who began His work, will finish it 100 percent!

-                      That is, the same number He called, will be justified.

-                       The same number He justified will be glorified.

-                        The entire initiative in our salvation rests in God.

a.          Foreknowledge of God.

b.         The Predestination of God.

            “He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son…”(8:29b).

c.          The Call.

            “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called” (8:30).

d.         Justification.

            “And whom he called, them he also justified” (8:30b).

e.          Glorification.

            “Whom he justified, them he also glorified” (8:30c).

(1)        Glorification is the last stage in the Christian life.

            (2)        It is becoming like Christ.

(3)        We can trust God and put our confidence in Him. 

II      OUR ASSURANCE OF DELIVERANCE

            “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (8:31).

1.          “What shall we then say to these things?”What things?

a.          God’s plan of redemption

Foreknowledge, predestination, call, justification and glorification (8:28, 30).

The last word Paul used was “glorified” (v30).

b.         Now he asks: “What are you going to say about these things?”

            The believer shall be conformed to the image of Christ.

2.   Then, Paul asks a question.

a. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (8:31b).

(1)        God is for us in all that He does.

(a)        We may be defeated at this moment but evil will never prevail.

(b)        We are always being led to victory in Christ.

(2)        God is for us.

(a)        We can write our names in this verse: God is for James.          

(b)        If God be for us, who can be against us?

Answer: No one!  Not even Satan!

3.         Paul goes on to substantiate his confidence in God by giving three arguments.

a.          God will withhold nothing in taking care of us (Rom 8:32)

b.         God will allow nothing to condemn us (Rom 8:33-34).

c.          God will not allow anything to separate us from His love (Rom 8:35-37).          

(1)        Paul is thinking now of those present sufferings.

(2)        “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Rom 8:37).

(3)        An illustration.

            When Chrysostom was brought before the Roman Emperor, the Emperor threatened him with banishment if he remains a Christian.

            Chrysostom replied, “Thou canst not banish me for this world is my father’s house.” 

“But I will slay thee,” said the Emperor.

“Nay, thou canst not,” said the noble champion of the faith, “for my life is hid with Christ in God.” 

“I will take away thy treasures.” 

“Nay, but thou canst not for my treasure is in heaven and my heart is there.”

“But I will drive thee away from man and thou shalt have no friend left.”

“Nay, thou canst not, for I have friends in heaven from whom thou canst not separate me.  I defy thee; for there is nothing that thou canst do to hurt me.”

4.         Paul’s conclusion.

a.         His conviction (Rom 8:38-39).

b.         Nothing is able to separate us from God. This is the assurance of our salvation.

            If you are truly “in Christ” you can say,

           “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine.

            O what a foretaste of glory divine!”