Examining the Evidence: Romans 8:28-39
SIGNIFICANCE
There are three kinds of Christians in this world today: those who live in resignation
of spirit, those who live in resignation of character, and those who live in victory.
To complain about being "too weak" is a heresy. "I can't live this holy life I'm called
to." This is not consistent with what Paul is talking about. We have already won;
there is no need for the believer to find themselves in a losing battle with sin. If we
would simply own our "super-triumph," sin becomes almost a non-issue. As
we conform to the image of Christ, we exhibit His holiness in our lives.44
Being resigned in character is no excuse, either. It is one thing to feel
defeated in spite of oneself; it is quite another to willingly give oneself to a defeated
life. This insults Christ, who not only gave Himself for us but is pleading our case
before God. What more is there for Him to say? Only, "My blood covers Him." We
give Him nothing to brag to His Father about.
There are still those, however, who live in victory. And they are not the ones we
necessarily think of as "victorious"--just average people doing average things, but
making eternal impacts in the world by the motivation of the triumph they are
convinced that we all have.
God help us allindeed, it is He who made the call, went to the extreme to justify us,
and continues to work out His glory in usto live lives that reflect the victory. A crime
has been committed, and we have been found "not guilty." Let is live in gratitude to
be like Him who pleaded our case; it is our blessing and destiny. Nothing can change
that.
44Henry, 966.
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