God's unquestionable love

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 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? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 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. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 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 8:31‭-‬39 ESV

Rev. Charles Han

We are a deeply fearful and fear driven people. This is the nature of our sinful hearts. Even in this modern age with modern medicine, peacetime, food, and shelter, we are still fearful in this nation. With limited access to information via our personal devices, it can exacerbate rather than assuage our fears.

Why do we fear so much? Because we fear God so little.

Fear of sufficient provision

Paul addresses this fear by speaking of greater needs being met. God gave us his son graciously. This is such a difficult and hard thing, how then can God withhold anything else from his people? If God would not spare his own son, God would do anything for his people. God paid an unimaginable price for his rebellious and sinful people. This is our security. God will withhold no good thing from us.

Fear of others

Will other people judge us? There is no condemnation in Christ. It is repeated over and over again in the word. Many people will condemn us for our sins. This is not those who reveal our sins, but those who accuse us as unacceptable. That God finds us lacking. But God is the ultimate and final judge. No one can overrule Him. He declares us righteous by the blood of Jesus. Jesus is our defender and advocate. God is the one justifies and he has done so. There is no one to overturn God's verdict.

Fear of separation from God

Is there anything that will make Christians fall away from God? Is there anything that makes God lose his grip on us? This list by Paul is not something we understand here in America. This is literal for Christians around the world. Not small inconveniences, but real affliction for the sake of Jesus. What does it mean to be more than conquerers? In Christ, all our enemies and their efforts to destroy us bring about our good and glory. Satan attempts to separate us from God. But he can only grow us in holiness. He cannot destroy or condemn those in Christ.