Author: David McKay

Appearances can be very deceptive.  Sometimes we think we have understood a situation well yet subsequent events have shown that we were entirely wrong.  The surface appearance can be completely different from the underlying reality.  The same applies to how onlookers evaluate the life and experience of Christians, and even how we think of ourselves.

1.  The threatened separation

Paul asks a rhetorical question: ‘Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?’ (v35).  This can be a real issue for believers that stirs doubts and struggles.  Paul offers biblical realism – listing a wide variety of trials that believers may have to face.  In one way or another, all of God’s people will have to face some of these issues – they are not immune to suffering or hardship in this fallen world.  Paul himself knew what it was to endure hardships – see eg 2 Corinthians 6:4-5.  Such experiences may shake confidence in Christ’s love for us and the world looking on may mock suffering Christians’ talk of God’s love.  But these experiences are to be expected: Paul quotes Psalm 44:22 in v36.  The verse speaks of the suffering of the righteous, who are not suffering for sin or unfaithfulness to God.  They are faithful to their covenant Lord, yet ‘all day long’ they suffer.  This is not a sign that Christ’s love has failed.  The psalmist appeals to God’s ‘unfailing love’ (Psalm 44:26).

2. The overwhelming victory

Scripture shows that Christians’ sufferings are real and Paul makes no pretence, yet if that is all we see, we are not seeing things as they really are.  Paul answers his question with the ringing affirmation of v37 ‘No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us’.  Far from being defeated by the sufferings Paul has listed, believers triumph completely.  Not only do they stand fast in faith, they also emerge stronger in faith, with a deeper knowledge of the Lord.  What was designed by the enemy to break them, in fact makes them stronger.  This does not happen because of strength of personality or will-power, but only ‘through him who loved us’.  It is the saving work of Christ that is the secret of victory.  Having bought us with his blood (Galatians 2:20) he will not allow us to go down to final defeat.  He enables us to share in his victory over the powers of evil.  Apparent defeat at the cross was in fact overwhelming victory: ‘It is finished’ (John 19:30) expresses triumph.

3. The unbreakable bond

Paul sums up the Christian’s security with absolute conviction.  ‘I am convinced’ (v38) – he has been persuaded and remains persuaded.  This is a matter of ‘the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord’.  The Father’s love in giving the Son (v32) is inseparable from the Son’s love in giving himself.  This love is manifested in God’s making a covenant with his people (see Leviticus 26:12).  The covenant bond is sealed by the blood of Christ (Mark 14:24).  This is the basis of Paul’s confidence.  He surveys the entire universe for things that might seem to threaten that bond, including spiritual powers (angels, etc), time (present, future), space (height, depth), ‘nor anything else in all creation’.  Nothing ‘will be able to separate us’ because Christ Jesus is ‘Lord’ over every threat and so we are secure.

It is a dramatic moment as Joseph faces the brothers who sold him into slavery when he was a young man.  Their father is dead and the brothers are afraid Joseph will take his revenge on them (v15), but his response is very different.  His words in v20 raise profound issues about God’s sovereignty and human freedom.  Consider Genesis 50:20 The mystery of providence.

1. Human responsibility

Although the Bible says much about God’s sovereignty, it never minimises human moral responsibility.  ‘You intended to harm me’: Joseph does not say that their plan was anything less than evil.  They are morally responsible for what they did.  In one sense he was harmed as were others in the family.  The brothers acted freely, making choices in harmony with their (sinful) natures.  We too are morally responsible for our actions freely performed.  We act in accordance with the nature we have, unconverted or converted.  We are not forced to sin against our will.  Our actions are rooted in out inmost being – Mark 7:21.

2. Divine sovereignty

 Note‘but God intended it for good’ – the same action is viewed from a different perspective.  God was at work in and through the action of Joseph’s brothers.  He had a good goal in mind – ‘the saving of many lives’.  God so directed events that his good purpose was carried out.  The brothers did not consciously do what would fulfil God’s plan, yet that was the result.  Throughout the Bible God is portrayed as being in full control and as accomplishing what he plans.  The actions of evil people do not frustrate his plan but in mysterious ways advance it.  All events (often in ways we cannot fathom) contribute to fulfilling God’s plan.  Only in looking back could Joseph discern God’s sovereign hand in what he had experienced.

3. The big picture

God’s sovereignty is not confined to the details of individual lives: those lives are linked in innumerable ways.  His sovereignty relates to the ‘big picture’ – here, ‘the saving of many lives’.  Scripture shows that God is sovereign over:

1.  The natural world.  Genesis 1-2 shows him as the Creator, and he has not left the universe to run itself.  All things are in his hands – see Job 38-39.  He provides for his creatures – Psalm 145:15. 
2.  The nations.  Prophets could speak of the fate of nations because it is God’s plan that governs them – Proverbs 21:1.  This is a truth full of comfort for believers.

4.The supreme example

The supreme illustration of God’s sovereignty embracing human responsibility is the death of Christ.  See Acts 2:23.  On the one hand it was the result of the actions of ‘wicked hands’, with Jew and Roman fully responsible. Yet on the other hand it took place by ‘God’s set purpose and foreknowledge’.  It was the climax of his plan of salvation (1 Timothy 1:15).  Through the actions of those who wanted to destroy Jesus, God provided our salvation.

No book has been more vigorously attacked throughout history than the Bible, both from outside the Church and from within by sceptical scholars.  The faith of God’s people has sometimes been severely shaken by such attacks.  We need to be clear as to what we believe about the Bible.  Consider II Timothy 3:16-17 God-breathed Scripture

1. The source of Scripture

Our fundamental belief about the Bible is set out in v16 ‘All Scripture is God-breathed’ – familiar from the AV as ‘inspired by God’.  Here is the root of the authority and power of this book: it is God’s word to his people.  The word often translated ‘inspired’ literally is ‘God-breathed’ (as in NIV).  It is more than the ‘inspiration’ of writers and artists – we are to think of the Bible as God’s speech.  What Scripture says, God says.  How did God use the writers?  2 Peter 1:21 ‘men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit’: the mysterious, miraculous, sovereign working of the Holy Spirit.  This was not simply divine dictation (although sometimes God did give a message word for word), but God used the different personalities, etc, of the writers, including e.g. Luke’s research (Luke 1:3).  Inspiration does include the words used – ‘Scripture’ is written.  God did not merely give ideas that the writers were to express in their own fallible words.  Note 1 Corinthians 2:13 ‘words taught by the Spirit’.  This is ‘verbal inspiration’.  Note ‘All Scripture’ – the OT and also the NT which was beginning to be written.  1 Timothy 5:18 shows that Luke 10:7 was already regarded as ‘Scripture’.  Under the guidance of the Spirit the Church came to recognise the books that were ‘God-breathed’.  It is the Spirit who opens our eyes to see the true nature of the Bible.  Accepting inspiration is part of the conversion experience.  Inspired Scripture is without error in all it teaches: ‘your word is truth’ (John 17:17).  We stand under the authority of God and of his Word.

2. The usefulness of Scripture

Scripture is ‘useful’ – it is to have life-changing effects.  It is ‘able to make you wise for salvation’ (v15).  The Bible contains everything we need to begin and continue on the Christian way.  Its usefulness is comprehensive:

            (i) Teaching:  true knowledge of God’s truth is essential for spiritual health.

            (ii) Rebuking: The Spirit uses Scripture to expose our sin and stir repentance.

            (iii) Correcting: offering the positive answer to sin, setting out the right path.

            (iv) Training in righteousness: guiding us to growth in likeness to the Lord.

Used as God intends, the Bible transforms us into his image stage by stage.

3. The goal of Scripture

The goal of Scripture is set out in v17 – ‘that the man of God may be competent’ (ESV.  NIV omits).  The word means complete, capable, in fit condition.  The Bible is sufficient to equip the people of God for whatever work he assigns them.  Bible study is to prepare workers, doing the ‘good works’ (Ephesians 2:10) God has prepared.  We must always approach the Bible in dependence on the Spirit, seeking edification and transformation.

It seemed very promising as Jesus addressed the crowd regarding his identity, stressing the importance of believing he is who he claims to be.  There seemed to be a significant response – ‘many put their faith in him’ (v30).  As Jesus continues to teach, however, a different picture emerges.  When he tells the crowd about what believing in him really means, superficial views of discipleship are quickly swept away.  Jesus’ words expose the hearts of his listeners.  We consider John 8:31-32 True discipleship.

1. Believing in Jesus

In v31 Jesus addresses ‘the Jews who had believed in him’.  This raises the question ‘Is this the kind of belief that brings sinners to salvation?’  Is this saving faith?  The reactions of these people as Jesus confronts them with the nature of true discipleship in v31-32 makes it clear they have not been changed inwardly by what they have heard.  Eventually the Lord says,’ You belong to your father, the devil’ (v44).  Scripture makes it clear there are ways of ‘believing’ that do not save.  Acceptance of certain facts is insufficient without personal commitment.

2. Remaining in truth

The crucial test of discipleship is found in v31 ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples’ (ESV).  There must be steadfast remaining in the truth, in contrast to the seed among the thorns and stones (Matthew 13:5-7).  The ‘word’ of Jesus is all that he reveals about his person and work.  The true disciple does not select the parts he will accept – it is all ‘the truth’ (v32).  In fact Jesus himself is ‘the truth’ (John 14:6).  There must be personal commitment to the One who embodies the truth.  There is no conflict between believing the truth and believing in Jesus.  The ultimate test of true discipleship is perseverance (2 John 9).

3. Growing in knowledge

The result of remaining in the truth is stated in v32 ‘Then you will know the truth’.  Once committed to him, the true disciple will grow in understanding of the truth, moving on from ‘milk’ to ‘solid food’ (Hebrews 5:12).  Faith in the Lord is essential for understanding the truth.  Without faith, our grasp of the truth will be superficial.  Beginning from faith, disciples understand the things of God, which are ‘spiritually discerned’ (1 Corinthians 2:14).  We have the ministry of the Holy Spirit who blesses our use of whatever ability God has given us.

4. Living in freedom

A growing grasp of the truth has profound results – ‘the truth will set you free’ (v32).  2 effects:

            (i).  Free from sin.  Knowledge of the truth exposes our sin, leading to repentance, a daily necessity.  The word produces ‘godly sorrow’ (2 Corinthians 7:10).  The truth also protects from sin – Psalm 119:11 ‘I have hidden your word in my heart…’

            (ii). Free for living.  The truth guides in the way of godliness, and obedience is the essential test of love for God (1 John 5:3).  We were created for such a life, to God’s glory.

The law of God is not a popular subject today.  We live in an anti-authoritarian age when laws are given only grudging obedience, even when they are for one’s own benefit.  Many do not want to hear about a God who tells people what to do.  That is true even among many Christians.  The Psalmist, however, can say ‘O, how I love your law’ (Ps 119:97) and Paul can say ‘in my inner being I delight in God’s law’ (Romans 7:22).  God’s law expresses in practical form God’s holy nature and requirements.  We consider God’s gift of his Law.

1. A mirror

God requires of every person perfect obedience to his law.  Note Israel’s commitment at Sinai – ‘we will do everything the Lord has said’ (Exodus 24:7).  This is what is required if we are to enjoy fellowship with the Lord (Leviticus 18:5).  Jesus says ‘if you want to enter life, obey the commandments’ (Matthew 19:17).  However, we are unable to meet that standard (Romans 3:23).  God’s law holds up a mirror to us, showing the reality of our sin.  It forces us to see that we break specific commandments.  If we are willing to pay heed, the law lets us see what we are really like, but it cannot change us (Romans 3:20).  Worse still, as Paul found, the law even provokes sin (Romans 7:7-8).  But the law as a mirror also serves a positive function – it drives us to Christ for salvation.  Awakened sinners realise their need and turn to the Saviour (Romans 5:20-21).

2. A muzzle

God’s law also has a function in relation to society as a whole.  The law is given to restrain the outward expression of man’s sinful nature.  It acts as a muzzle which prevents sinful actions that would otherwise be committed.  The law had a deterrent effect on Israel (Exodus 20:20).  Where God’s word is known and where the church has some influence, God’s law can still discourage some expressions of man’s sinful nature.  The threat of divine punishment can make some think again before they sin.  God’s law reminds people of his holiness and justice and awakens echoes in the conscience of those who bear God’s image.  Such an effect is of course limited.  As the fear of God and respect for his word decline in society, the muzzling effects of the law decrease.  God’s law however serves to show how a society has deteriorated and to pronounce his judgement.

3. A map

Some Christians believe God’s law no longer has any relevance to them and claim being led by the Spirit is sufficient.  In fact, God’s law is a map to guide his people in the ways of godliness.  The law was given to those God had redeemed (Exodus 20:1).  It was given to show Israel how to serve the Lord.  The NT teaches the same truth.  Christians demonstrate love for God by obedience to his law (John 14:15; I John 5:3-4).  We are saved by grace in order ‘to do good works’ (Ephesians 2:10).  God’s law guides us as to good works to do and sins to avoid.  If a person is truly regenerate, it will be evident in the desire to keep God’s law.  It is Paul the saved sinner who writes Romans 7:22.  Indifference to God’s law is a warning of spiritual decline.  God’s law expresses his nature and reveals the character of Christ.