Digging Deeper Days
Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!
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The Questions
1) The phrase, “If God is for us” seems uncertain or questionable. Is the author unsure If God can be for us?
2) Who could be against us?
3) Since God is for us, can we avoid tragedy and pitfalls in life here on this earth?
Romans 8:31
If God is for us, who is against us?
Original Intent
1) The phrase, “If God is for us” seems uncertain or questionable. Is the author unsure If God can be for us?
In the Latin translation of Romans, the phrase, “If God is for us” is translated, “Dues Pro Nobis” meaning “God for us”. Paul is not indicating an uncertainty about God being with or for us, rather Paul is using a form of hyperbole common in his culture to emphasize the ridiculous thought that God could possibly be anything but for us. For our western minds, we could easily use the word “since” or “because”. “Since God is for us, who could be against us?” ( John Wycliffe)
2) Who could be against us?
“Who can be against us” is a rhetorical question. The answer is simple and definitive. No one! Truly, with a power as matchless as the Lord God’s, no thing and no one stands a chance against us. Since God is our strong salvation, what force could possibly prevail against us? NONE! God’s love for us was supremely manifested in the sacrifice of his own Son on our behalf. (E F Spruce) God proved how much He was for us by sacrificing His Son for us. There is no greater love than this and no power greater than Christ’s resurrection. Paul goes on to emphasize a few verses later, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 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.” (Romans 8:38-39)
3) Since God is for us, can we avoid tragedy and pitfalls in life here on this earth?
The answer would be NO. Satan is powerfully alive and continues preying on our sinful nature to deter us in our faith journey and our relationship with God. This battle against the enemy will continue until Satan is finally cast in to the Lake of Fire, or Hell, where his punishment will continue for eternity. (Revelation 20:10)
God never promised His followers an easy life; instead, He warns us to expect suffering. (John 16:33) But there IS powerful hope, unceasing love, and protection given by the Hand of the Almighty. He has not left us alone! (Psalm 91)
Because God is for us, the Christian life is not a comfortable life, but it is a fulfilling one. Because of the work Jesus did on the cross on our behalf as He took the punishment rightly intended for us, He demonstrated a love and a power that none could equal as He drew us into His own Presence!
Everyday Application
1) The phrase, “If God is for us” seems uncertain or questionable. Is the author unsure If God can be for us?
There can be no stronger encouragement to our everyday faith journey than dwelling on God’s unstoppable saving purposes for His people. No force of evil can prevail against His Beloved ones. When we are His, nothing can snatch us away from Him. (John 10:27-30)
In times of uncertainty, choosing right or wrong, dealing with temptations no matter how small they may seem, the “little” lie, or the excuses we make to justify our actions can be GIANT struggles as we fight against the evil enemy. When trial an temptation meets you today, remember God is for you and put on the full armor of God, pray at all times in the Spirit, stay alert, and persevere unswervingly in truth. (Ephesians 6:12-18)
2) Who could be against us?
Because God is for us, it doesn’t matter who is against us. The enemy’s spiritual attacks, the trials facing our everyday, tumultuous relationships, financial strain, or anything else that presses in on us making us feel alone may appear powerful, but Paul encourages our hearts by reminding us that though the whole world be against us, God is for us.
Jesus taught that the world would indeed be against us, but because we are God’s, nothing can come between us and His love and grace. (John 15:18-19) God is the final judge and ultimate authority. No trial or tribulation we experience here on earth past, present, or future can have eternal damage on the safety of our souls. In spiritual conflict, mighty forces, both natural and supernatural can and will be used against us, causing pain and anguish. When we choose to dwell with God, and hiding in the protection He gives through the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf, we are counted as Overcomers because Jesus overcame the world. (Romans 8:29-39)
3) Since God is for us, can we avoid tragedy and pitfalls in life here on this earth?
The apostle John wrote, “Greater is He who is in us than he that is in the world” to remind and encourage believers who faced difficulties “in the world”. (1 John 4:4)
Be aware and alert that yes, Satan will prey on our hearts and minds as he seeks to pull us from the Father’s grasp, but that’s an impossibility. As you face trials, whether its cereal on the floor, spilled milk in the car, not enough money for bills, or a relationship that leaves you spiraling, remember the One who is for you is infinitely GREATER than the power at work in the world against you. Spend time with Him, refocusing on the truth of Who He is and how deeply He loves you!
As HIS chosen people, as the outer self fades away, (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) the inner self is being renewed day by day until that glorious moment when we stand perfected before the Lord Jesus! When we abide in Christ, the things of this world grow dim in the Light of His glorious grace. Take comfort in knowing the Lord is for you and use your time on earth to share His truth with those around you!
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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!
1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!
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Why Dig Deeper?
Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.
In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!
Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.
Study Tools
We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.
Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!
Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))
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