Romans 8
Lesson V. The believer is fearless through God’s promises. Romans 8:28-39

A. God’s promise. Romans 8:28-30

1. What is the promise? 8:28a “…all things work together…”
2. Who receives the promise? 8:28b
“…love God…called according to His purpose.”
3. How is the promise manifested? 8:29,30

a. Believers are identified with the Lord. 8:29
“Many brethren” are recognized as being in Him.

The purpose of God explained by His election and predestination, not elected to be saved and elected to be lost, but elected and predestined to be “brethren”.

b. Believers are kept by the Lord. 8:30

Those that are saved are called to this salvation. Paul set forth the will of God for the saved.

Romans 10:13-14 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

God set forth His plan in the salvation of the unbeliever.

1). He hears the Word of God.
2). He is convicted of his position before the Holy and Just God –

John 16:7-11 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

Refer also to –

2 Corinthians 4:3-5 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.

3). He calls upon the Lord for salvation – “for whosoever…”

These verses explain God’s election, predestination, and calling. Please note the following chart –

WW Romans 8:28 “…them that love God…”
“…Called according to His purpose…”

WW Romans 8:29a “…Whom He did foreknow…”
(Omniscient)

WW/Son Romans 8:29b “…to be conformed to the image of His Son.”
Purpose (predestinate)

WW/Son Romans 8:30
“Called. Justified…Glorified…”

WW/Son Romans 8:31-33 “…who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect…”
Romans 8:1 “No condemnation…”

Identity of those involved :

God the Father : He, Him, His
God the Son: Son
God the Holy Spirit: Called
WW: Them, Whom, Brethren, Predestinated, Justified, Glorified, Elect
(Also known as WW [Whosoever Will], refer to Romans 10:13)

Read: John 3:15-18
1 Timothy 2:4-6
1 John 2:1,2

B. God’s plan. Romans 8:31-34

1. God gave the most that could be given, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:31,32

2. God saved the believer through his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that the believer was completely unworthy to be saved.
Romans 8:33

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Being accused of being unworthy will not affect God’s decision to save us upon repentance and faith!

3. God is Supreme, His decision cannot be overturned. Romans 8:34
We have already noted (Romans 8:1) the blessed position of the believers, safe from any condemnation!

4. God’s plan provides for the believer’s security.

C. God’s power. Romans 8:35-39

1. Prevailing over all that comes against the believer. Romans 8:35-37

The Lord who loves us will keep us –

2 Timothy 3:10-12 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

The Lord delivers in the persecutions through by His presence – 2 Tim 4:17

“…Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me;…”
Note the testimony given in the letter to the Corinthians –

2 Corinthians 4:7-10 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

2. Persuaded to trust God. Romans 8:38,39

Paul taught the believers of the blessings given by the Lord Jesus Christ. They may have absolute confidence in Him Who loves them, who gave Himself for them.

I believe that Paul learned these truths of God through his personal experiences in serving the Lord. I also believe that He saw these promises fulfilled in the believer’s lives before he ever submitted to the Lord and trusted Jesus Christ for salvation. Saul of Tarsus persecuted the believer’s without mercy and many of them persevered in their faith to the death, even being tortured –

Acts 26:9-11 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
Paul saw that they had by faith in the Lord what he wanted to have by keeping the Law. This drove him to ‘madness’.
These verses he wrote under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, Romans 8:34-39, were to him glorious truths to encourage believers!