Security in the Spirit

The Hymn of Security--Part 1
by
John MacArthur
All Rights Reserved

(A copy of this message on cassette tape may be obtained by calling 1-800-55-GRACE)
Romans 8:31-34    Tape GC 45-67

Introduction

Lesson

I. No One Can Revoke Our Salvation (vv. 31-34)

A. We Are Secure in God (vv. 31-32)

1.He protects us (v. 31)

2.He loves us (v. 32)

a) By giving His Son (v. 32a)

b) By giving every spiritual blessing (v. 32b)

B. We Are Secure Against Satan (v. 33)

C. We Are Secure in Christ (v. 34)

1.Because of His death (v. 34a)

2.Because of His resurrection (v. 34b)

3.Because of His exaltation (v. 34c)

4.Because of His intercession (v. 34d)

Introduction

Romans 8:31-39 says, "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? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? Shall God that justifieth? Who is he that condemneth? Shall Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us?

"What shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

"For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creation, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord."

In verse 31 "these things" refers to the truths about eternal security. Paul then proceeded from there to the end of the chapter to show that neither people nor circumstances--no one or nothing--can revoke the believer's salvation.

Lesson

I. NO ONE CAN REVOKE OUR SALVATION (vv. 31-34)

A. We Are Secure in God (vv. 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?"

A believer might say, "God can take back my salvation." But that's not true since God both protects and loves the believer.

1.He protects us (v. 31)

Since the Greek term translated "if" (ei) refers to the fulfillment of something, verse 31 is better translated, "Since God is for us, who can be against us?" God protects us from all who would seek to pull us away from His salvation.

a) Luke 22:31-32--Christ said to Peter, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not. And when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Not even the highest of the fallen angels can wrest the believer from Christ (cf. John 10:28-29).

b) Psalm 27:1-3, 6--David said, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident....

"And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me. Therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord." Because of God's protection, David did not fear the serious opposition he faced.

c) Psalm 46:1-3--"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof." David was secure in the Lord's strength.

2.He loves us (v. 32)

a) By giving His Son (v. 32a)

"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all."

A believer might say, "God will protect me as long as He's for me. But if He thinks I'm not good, He might reject me." Paul countered that objection by pointing out that since God gave His Son to die for us when we were sinners, He certainly will keep us now that we're His children. God willingly gave His Son to die in our behalf because He loves us (John 3:16). Taking back our salvation would defy His love and undo His redemptive work.

Just as God willingly offered His Son, so Abraham was willing to offer his son Isaac. As Abraham was just about to do so, the Lord said to him, "Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him; for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.... By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord; for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son; that in blessing I will bless thee" (Gen. 22:12, 16-17). As a progenitor of Christ, blessing and salvation would come through him to all the nations of the earth.

In Romans 8:32 the Greek term translated "own" (idios) emphasizes the Father's intimate, private possession of His Son. Although the Father did not have to give His Son to die on the cross, He chose to do so. Isaiah 53:10 says, "It pleased the Lord to bruise him." Second Corinthians 5:21 says God "hath made him, who knew no sin, to be sin for us."

God willingly gave His Son "for us all" (Rom. 8:32), which means He died for our benefit and in our place. "Us" refers to believers (v. 28). Galatians 3:13 says, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us." Galatians 1:4 says that Christ "gave himself for our sins."

b) By giving every spiritual blessing (v. 32b)

"How shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"

"All things" refer to all spiritual blessings, including eternal glory. Since the Father willingly gave His Son to die on the cross, He certainly won't hold back on the fruits of that atoning work. Indeed, He "hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3).

Sometimes "give" (Gk., charizomai) is translated "forgive" in the New Testament (e.g., Col. 2:13; 3:13). That would make the verse say, "God freely forgives all sins." Although one can't be dogmatic about that interpretation, the concept is nevertheless true. As 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

B. We Are Secure Against Satan (v. 33)

"Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? Shall God that justifieth?"

"Lay any thing to the charge" refers to bringing a legal charge against someone. No accusation before God's tribunal will cause the believer to lose his salvation. Revelation 12:10 says Satan constantly accuses believers before God. In Zechariah 3:1 we see Satan accusing Joshua the high priest. But the Lord rebuked Satan and protected Joshua (v. 2).

Our salvation is secure because God won't condemn the very person He already justified (Rom. 8:1). Romans 4:20-25 tells us Christ's righteousness is imputed to us when we believe in Christ. That can't be taken back. What's more, our salvation doesn't depend on our goodness (Eph. 2:8-9).

"God's elect" (v. 33) refers to those whom He chose for salvation before the foundation of the world. Commentator Marcus Loane wrote, "Those who stand at the bar are not outlaws, but God's elect" (The Hope of Glory [Waco, Tex.: Word, 1968], p. 136). Since we are not on trial, we have nothing to fear at God's tribunal. Our salvation is secure in His election, for Christ said, "My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand" (John 10:29).

C. We Are Secure in Christ (v. 34)

"Who is he that condemneth? Shall Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us?"

Christ won't ever condemn believers. John 3:17-18 says, "God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed."

There are four reasons we are secure in Christ.

1.Because of His death (v. 34a)

"Shall Christ that died."

Since Christ bore the penalty for our sins, we are free from His condemnation when we acknowledge His death on our behalf. If we could still be condemned in spite of our faith in Christ, that would mean His death was inadequate to atone for our sins. But His death is more than sufficient; it is the only condemnation the believer will ever know.

2.Because of His resurrection (v. 34b)

"Yea rather, that is risen again."

The Greek term translated "yea rather" (mallon) can be translated "what is more." Christ's resurrection proves the sufficiency of His death in atoning for our sins. Romans 4:25 says Christ "was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification." His death paid the price for our sins, and His resurrection was proof of God's acceptance of that payment.

3.Because of His exaltation (v. 34c)

"Who is even at the right hand of God."

God's right hand is the place of exaltation and honor. Hebrews 1:3 says that when Christ purged our sins, He "sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high" (cf. Ps. 110:1). The high priests of Israel had to stand each day and offer sacrifices again and again. But Christ offered one sacrifice for sins forever and then sat down at God's right hand (Heb. 10:11-12).

4.Because of His intercession (v. 34d)

"Who also maketh intercession for us?"

Our salvation is secure because Christ constantly intercedes for us.

a) Isaiah 53:12--Christ "made intercession for the transgressors."

b)1 John 2:1--"We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."

c) Hebrews 7:25--Christ "is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

Whenever we sin or Satan accuses us, Christ acts as our divine defense attorney by interceding on our behalf. He prays for us according to the Father's will, and the Father always responds.

Focusing on the Facts

1. What do "these things" refer to in Romans 8:31? (see p. 2)

2. What is a better translation for "if" in verse 31, and what does that communicate (see p. 2)?

3. What was the Father's motive in giving His Son (John 3:16; see p. 3)?

4. What does "for us all" mean in Romans 8:32 (see p. 4)?

5. Galatians 1:4 says that "Christ gave for our sins" (see p. 4).

6. What do "all things" refer to in Romans 8:32 (see p. 4)?

7. Who constantly accuses believers before God (Rev. 12:10; see p. 5)?

8. What does Romans 8:1 teach (see p. 5)?

9. What does Romans 4:20-25 tell us (see p. 5)?

10. What does Ephesians 2:8-9 teach (see p. 5)?

11. Who are "God's elect" (Rom. 8:33; see p. 5)?

12. What does John 3:17-18 teach (see p. 5)?

13. Christ's proves the sufficiency of His death in atoning for our sins (see p. 6).

14. Romans 4:25 says Christ was delivered for our , and raised for our (see p. 6).

15. What does Hebrews 10:11-12 tell us (see p. 6)?

16. Whenever we sin or Satan accuses us, how does Christ help us (Rom. 8:34; see p. 7)?

Pondering the Principles

1. Answer the following questions:

Why did Christ die (1 Cor. 15:3; 1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18)?

According to Galatians 4:5 what does the believer receive?

What does Hebrews 10:10-14 say about Christ's death?

What does 1 Peter 1:3-5 teach about eternal security?

What does Hebrews 7:25 teach about Christ?

Meditate on those verses and thank the Lord for the eternal security of your salvation.

2. Suppose a believer says to you, "I fear I can lose my salvation." Use what you have learned in Romans 8:31-34 as your basis for clearing up that misunderstanding.

Added to the John MacArthur "Study Guide" Collection by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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Email: tony@biblebb.com
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