My gifting is not in sports. Being tall, people often ask me if I played volleyball or basketball in high school. My response is always an emphatic, chuckling, “NO!” I pretty much knew anytime I played a sport, I was going lose. Defeat was inevitable.
But in Romans 8:31-39, Paul tells us that we don’t walk around in defeat anymore.
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?
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. – Romans 8:31-35; 37
More than conquerors… MORE THAN. This isn’t a nail biter. This isn’t a close game. The Greek Word here is a derived from two root words: hyper, meaning abundance, and nikao, the verb form of nike, meaning victory. He has won the overwhelming victory. This is no contest.
The pain point here is that we are living in the in between. The victory has been won, but we aren’t living in eternity yet. This world is still broken, full of pain, and it may appear like Satan is winning. Your life may not be perfect, but His victory is sure.
There’s a difference in the way a team walks off the court when they lose. Their heads are down, shoulders slumped. But the winning team walks off the court with heads held high, a leap in their step, arms flailing in victory, pumping up the crowd. We do not have to walk around feeling downcast and defeated. We get to walk around with head held high, cheering, because God wins.
I love the lyrics from the worship song Death Was Arrested:
Released from my chains I’m a prisoner no more
My shame was a ransom He faithfully bore
He cancelled my debt and He called me His friend
When death was arrested and my life beganOur savior displayed on a criminal’s cross
Darkness rejoiced as though heaven had lost
But then Jesus arose with our freedom in hand
That’s when death was arrested and my life began
Death doesn’t have the final word anymore. Sin doesn’t have the final word. Persecution doesn’t have the final word. Distress doesn’t have the final word. Sickness doesn’t have the final word. Nothing, NOTHING can separate us from the love of Christ. Jesus took our punishment. Jesus took our shame. Jesus was the one who was condemned in our place. And when he walked out of the grave, the victory was won.
Now Jesus sits at the right hand of God – not just praying for you, but interceding. (more on this in this week’s video below).
Phew! All the praise hands! I pray today that you live in a posture of victory, because we win!
Watch this week’s video:
Or listen to the audio:
For This Week:
- Read Romans 9-10 (Focus: Romans 9:19-26; Romans 10:5-13)
- Gather with some girlfriends and talk about what you read.
- Discover: What three truths did you learn from this passage?
- Discuss: In Romans 8, we talked about how God works everything for His good and glory. According to 9:19-26, what should our response in the face of trials NOT be? Instead, what can we do to seek His glory in every aspect of our life? How can we have faith even when we feel like God is being unfair?
- Share: Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9. How do these verses connect to Romans 10:8-13 as it relates to our heart and mind? Share a brief testimony of how came to put your faith in God. Celebrate one another as you share the many ways in which God calls us into His family.
- Memorize Romans 10:12
- Come back next week for the next video
I am thrilled to be part of an online Bible Conference called Enjoy the Word 2018. God has grown my passion for His Word for the last couple of years. It has breathed new life into my every day. For the first time in my life, I truly enjoy the Bible. And look at these amazing women involved! They are some of my favorite Bible teachers.
Here are some of the sessions (and you get to keep the videos for LIFE!):
- Keynote Speakers: Chris and Katie Orr – a Study through Jonah
- Teri Lynne Underwood (TeriLynneUnderwood.com) – Lopsided Living: What the Bible REALLY Says about Balance
- Kat Lee (HelloMornings.org) – How to Build the Habit of Regular Bible Study
- Stacey Thacker (StaceyThacker.com) – Igniting a Passion for God through His Word
- Katie Orr (KatieOrr.me) – Too Busy for Bible Study?
- Brooke McGlothlin (TheMOBSociety.com) – How to Control Your Emotions so They Don’t Control You
- Elyse Fitzpatrick (ElyseFitzpatrick.com) – Finding the Love of Jesus from Genesis to Revelation
- Angie Brown Elkins (chatologie.com) – How to Worship Through the Word
Click here for all the details and to register.
Erin H. Warren 