More Than Conquerors

GETTING STARTED

I grew up going to summer camp at Camp Peniel in Marble Falls. Each morning, we’d wake to the boisterous trumpeting of “Reveille” from camp founder Gordon “Chief” Whitelock. Groggily, we’d join Chief at a small outdoor amphitheater for a morning Bible devotional, followed by an exuberant rendition of “‘V’ Is For Victory,” an old hymn about our unconquerable salvation in Jesus. It was a great way to start the day. When I read Paul’s words in today’s passage, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”, I can’t help but hear old Chief humming that triumphant hymn from his seat in Heaven.

  • What does the phrase, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” mean to you?

READ THE WORD: ROMANS 8:31-39 (ESV) 

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;

    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. In the previous passage, Paul pointed out that “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” What does that imply about the truth Paul points out in verse 31?
  2. Reread verses 32-35. What four things does God give us through Christ Jesus?
  3. In verse 34, Paul asked, “Who is he that condemns?” If God has justified us through Christ, who is it that accuses us in this world?
  4. How does Paul’s words bring comfort to believers who face difficulty in this life (vss. 35-39)?
  5. How does remembering that you cannot be separated from God’s love bring you assurance? How should that impact the way you live?

RESPOND TO GOD

The Roman poet, Virgil, is credited with coining the phrase, “Love conquers all.” It is meant to express that love is capable of overcoming all obstacles. When we read this passage, the phrase takes on new meaning. Because, really, it is God’s love that conquered, and still conquers, all. And as Paul words it, “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” God is for us. He’s justified us. He’s assured our victory through Jesus’ death and resurrection. If that doesn’t inspire you to share God’s goodness with everyone around you so that they, too, can experience victory, then you might not really believe it.  

  • Ask God to renew your confidence in his everlasting faithfulness to you.
  • Spend time thanking God for the victory you have been given each new morning.