Examining the Evidence: Romans 8:28-39

SIGNIFICANCE

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.