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Today's Pathway: Romans 8:31-32 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

In verse 31 the Apostle Paul makes a practical application of all the things that he has spoken about in this chapter. God is for us. The Greek word translated "for" is "huper", from which we get our English term "hyper". God is "hyper" about us. Don't let the word "if" allow you to question this fact. The word "if" in this passage signifies a fulfilled condition, not a mere possibility. Thus, the phrase is not a question but rather an unchanging truth that we can live by. God is for me. He wants the best for me. He has prepared a home in Heaven for me. He has given the Holy Spirit to me. He freed me from the bondage of sin. He is truly "hyper" about me.

So, if He is for me, who or what is there that can be against me? The word "against" is simply a translation of the preposition "down". While it is true that the world is against us, if God is for us, can the world stop us? Can the world bring us down? The answer has to be a resounding "NO". Charles Spurgeon said,

"If God is that great working One Who does all this, who can be against us? 'Why, a great many,' says one. But they are nothing, nor are all put together anything at all, as compared with Him Who is on our side."

"The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?" (Psalm 118:6).

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

In verse 32 Paul gives the ultimate evidence that God is for us. God sent His only-begotten Son to die for us. He allowed Jesus to go through the physical and emotional pains of death. In addition, He placed the sins of the world upon His sinless and holy Son. According to Isaiah 53 He smote His own Son (vs. 4), was pleased to bruise Him (vs.10) and put Him to grief (vs. 10). He forsook Him on the cross (Matthew 27:46). If God freely gave His Son for us, what is it that He wouldn't give to us? Ray Steadman wrote this:

"He who has already given us the best, the greatest, the dearest, the most precious thing He has, and Who did so while we were sinners -- while we were enemies, while we were helpless -- will He not also give us some of these trivial, piddling little things that we need now that we are His children? If someone thinks enough of you to give you a costly, brilliant, beautiful, flawless diamond, do you think he will object when you ask him for the box that goes with it? And if God has given us His own Son already, do you really think God is going to withhold anything else that we need? Paul's argument is unanswerable: Of course he won't."

God is for us. He proved it by giving His Son for our salvation. We can trust Him in every area of life.