Monday, April 4, 2011

A Meditation on Romans 8: 31-37

As I meditated on this scripture, I was reminded of the centrality of the gospel. All of the promises offered in this verse are for not if I am not in Christ. The "these things" in verse 31 caught my attention to this matter. I read the text several times and was constantly driven to ask, "What are 'these things.'" I believe these things refer to everything Paul summed up in the previous eight chapters. More specifically, I think Romans 8:1 captures the essence of what "these things" are. These things refer to the fact that there is therefore no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. What can we say for those who are not condemned? If God is for us, who can be against us? If God did not spare his only Son, so that we will not be under His wrath, what will he withhold from us? Nothing! Therefore, for those in Christ Jesus, nothing will ever separate you from His love, nothing. All of the promises offered in Romans eight hinders on the gospel.

What is to be said of those who are condemned? Who are they? What is their plight? I believe Paul addresses this in Romans 1-3. The condemned are those who exchange God's glory for something else (Romans 1:23). They choose the material world over the Creator of the material. They deny Him His rightful glory. In turn, God gave them up to their debased passions. In essence, he handed them over to a more sinful state and utter hardening to His redeeming grace. The arrow of his wrath is pointed at their heart, gaining more tension day after day until it is released and they parish forever (Psalm 7).

Who are these people? Is it just the horrible of the world? Is it the Hitler's or the child molesters, porn stars, or murders? No. It is everyone. Romans 3:10-18 says, "None is righteous, no not one, no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside, together they have become worthless, no one does good, not even one. Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongue to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips. Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. Their feet are quick to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and they way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes." A few verses later, Paul sums it up concisely and says, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."(Romans 3:23)

These are the condemned; the average moral American who goes to work from 9-5pm everyday trying to support his family. It is the volunteer at the food shelf. It is the poor soul digging in the trash for an old pair of shoes or leftovers from last night. It is our congressmen, policemen, firemen, and all our committed public servants. And unfortunately, some are church members, even pastors. The condemned are all who are not in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). They cannot lay hold of the promises given in Romans 8. I sit here with a conundrum. How can I feel so confident in the midst of trial and yet feel anxious for those who are not in Christ? This is an enigma in the gospel.