Romans 8:34 – 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.
Welcome back dear readers! Today we are going to conclude our study of Romans chapter eight.
GENERAL SUMMARY: Who dares to condemn God’s children? Is it Christ who died for them, rose again and now sits at the right hand of God making intercession for them? Of course not! How can the believer be condemned, since Jesus will plead his case? 
DIGGING DEEPER: Who is to condemn: Again, this image is taken from the idea of a tribunal of justice or a court room. In this scenario, the believer is the defendant, Father God is the judge, and Satan is the plaintiff.
Satan goes before the throne of God and accuses us of all our sins and faults. There is no doubt that we are guilty. He then demands that we be sentenced for our crimes.
What he doesn’t seem to realize is that he will never be successful in his quest to have believers condemned, because Jesus paid our debt in full and he advocates for us before the Father.
I John 2:1 – My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
Christ Jesus is the one who died more than that, who was raised: Stop and think about this for a minute… Jesus left the glory of heaven to come down to earth, take on a body of flesh, reveal the Father to us, then die and rise again to the role of Mediator for the sole purpose of securing our forgiveness and salvation.
He paid the full price required by the law and justice of God. He secured our pardon by his blood, and he obtained our justification by his obedience; no condemnation of Satan can touch us. In reality, the only one who has a right to condemn us is Jesus himself and it is absurd to think that after all he has done to secure our pardon that he would turn around and condemn us.
Who is at the right hand of God: In ancient times, the right hand of the king was the seat of honor. Sitting in that particular spot automatically made you a person of distinction – you had honor, respect and prestige. It also signified participation in royal matters; you would wield some level of power in the royal court. (I Kings 2:19, Matthew 20:21, Psalms 45:9). Long ago scripture predicted that our Savior would sit at the right hand of God (Psalms 110:1) and sure enough, we know that Jesus is sitting there right now:
Mark 16:19 – So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.
After Jesus rose from the dead and returned to heaven, he sat down at the right hand of the Father, clothed with all the power, dignity and authority of heaven.
Furthermore, his participation in kingdom affairs far surpasses anything known in the earthly realm. Everything in the universe has been put under his feet/authority. Therefore, Jesus is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:20-23). This gives us yet another reason why Jesus will not condemn believers – we are under his protection and guidance.
Not only is he our head, protector and guide, he is our intercessor or Mediator:
I Timothy 2:5 – For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
Who indeed is interceding for us: Jesus assumed the role of Mediator between God and man. As he sits at God’s right hand, he pleads our cause and presents our interests before the mercy seat of heaven.
Hebrews 7:25 Therefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.
Over and over in different ways, Paul repeatedly confirms that because of the work of Jesus, Christians are secure from the condemnation which passes upon unbelievers.
Romans 8:35 – Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger or sword?
GENERAL SUMMARY: Believers have no cause to doubt or fear their ultimate outcome because nothing can come between Christ and the believer. Nothing can break the bond of love that Jesus has for them, or that they have for Jesus. Specifically, no condition of life – no outward trouble, no inward distress, no evil nor any fear - can break our relationship.
DIGGING DEEPER: Who shall separate us from the love of God: There are some commentators who believe this phrase refers to the love of God for mankind, but that seems unlikely because we know that God never changes - once he starts something, he always finishes it; nothing can stop him. Since the Christian’s salvation is rooted in the eternal purposes of God, we have the assurance that he will accomplish his original plans regarding mankind. Also, if he loved us before the world was ever formed, he still loves us now – that isn’t going to change.
We also know that Jesus will never leave us even when we sin or when we experience our darkest and most discouraging days. He is always with us; he is our ever-present help in times of trouble:
Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
The point is that it is much more likely that Paul is talking about the love of the believer for Christ. Since God’s love and faithfulness can never fail, the only real possibility of separation between God and the believer is if man fails or is unfaithful.
Why would believers become unfaithful to Jesus?
One: Remember, the early church in general suffered a lot of persecution. They lost their families, their friends, their jobs/income and sometimes even their lives. Even now there are believers around the world who are still suffering for their faith. One argument is that Christians might grow weary in the midst of these trials/sufferings and withdraw from Jesus, in order to make persecution stop.
Two: Another explanation says that if believers have not renewed their minds, they may be tempted to think that the trials and other difficulties they experience are examples of God’s wrath. These same difficulties might lead them to believe that God has forsaken them and if that is the case, there will be no end to their suffering, unless they withdraw from God.
But the apostle argues against these scenarios. He assures us that our love for the Savior is so strong and so intense that none of the things listed here, nor any other circumstance for that matter, can cause a separation between God and his children. The love which Christians have for their Redeemer is so strong, it will survive and conquer all opposition and all trials.
This is possible because Christians can stand firm in their faith knowing that all things work together for their good, and nothing can separate them from the love of the God they trust in.
Shall tribulation: This word is best defined as pressure from without; affliction arising from external causes, or more loosely a trial, trouble or evil of any kind.
Or distress: Distress is an inward feeling, an anxiety of mind, that arises when a person is hemmed in on every side and does not know where to turn or what to do for relief. All of us have no doubt experienced this at one time or another.
Or persecution: Generally speaking, persecution is the infliction of violence, loss, pain or death for adherence to a particular creed or type of worship. Specifically, it is used to denote the violence by which the children of God were/are undeservedly harassed by the ungodly.
Or famine or nakedness: This refers to the lack of food, water, or general necessities of life. Christians in the early church commonly experienced lack as the natural result of being cut off from their Jewish families, being forced to leave home and being excluded from all business dealings.
Or danger: This loosely refers to danger of any kind; a state of continual exposure to injury, loss or peril. It also includes danger that is feared; many times, the fear of something is even worse than the danger itself!
Or sword: The sword is symbolic of death. For the early church, the most common sources of martyrdom were government officials or Jewish leaders. This was a constant threat for them, and it remains a real issue today for many Christians in foreign countries.
The bottom line is that Christians in all eras of time have suffered various tribulations because of their attachment to Christ. And again, there may have been some fear or concern among the church that believers would drift away from Jesus because of this.
However, Paul assures all Christians that the opposite is true – the more painful the trials which we experience on account of our relationship to Christ, the stronger and more unwavering our love for him becomes. Trials only serve to increase our confidence in his ability to save and keep us; we are inexorably bound to Christ.
Romans 8:36 – As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
GENERAL SUMMARY: This Old Testament verse is quoted to remind us that God’s faithful people can expect hatred, persecution and even death from their enemies during any dispensation of time.
The saints of old endured all manner of suffering (including death) and yet were not separated from the love of God; therefore, such sufferings cannot separate the contemporary Christian from Christ either.
DIGGING DEEPER: As it is written: This verse is a quote from Psalms 44:22.
For your sake we are being killed: This psalm was apparently written during a period of great national distress. It refers to the Old Testament saints who were frequently persecuted and even put to death for the sake of their belief in God and their worship of him. Similarly, it was not uncommon for the New Testament saints suffer and die for their love of Christ and adherence to the gospel.
All the day long: This denotes the continuance of the persecution, the patience of the saints and the unwavering attacks of their enemies.
We are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered: This is a reference to the temple, where lambs were slaughtered on a regular basis. The thought is that the enemies of Christ regard Christians as appropriate subjects for slaughter. They hold the lives of Christians in such low regard they are no more valuable than a lamb.
Paul’s point is that suffering and even death have been the common lot of the saints in all generations. This is an encouragement to the saints in the gospel dispensation because it lets them know that their situation is not unique. It is a reminder that any Christian, in any place, at any time, may be called upon to give their life up for Christ.
Having a firm understanding that nothing can separate us from the love of God gives us the courage to face whatever circumstance (even death) comes our way.
Romans 8:37 – No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
GENERAL SUMMARY: In all trials and tribulations (even in death), believers are victorious in Christ.
DIGGING DEEPER: No, in all these things: The things just discussed including trials, tribulations, distress, danger and even death.
We are more than conquerors: The goal of the devil is to harass, oppress, scare, persecute, injure or otherwise afflict Christians to try and separate them from God. But he is defeated before he even begins because God gives his children a spirit of victory; sufferings only serve to deepen our commitment, love and zeal for the one who has saved us.
Through him who loved us: The victory of the believer does not come from his or her own strength, but from Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who won victory for us on the cross.
I Corinthians 15:57 – But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
With Christ as our Mediator, our Redeemer and our strength, there is no way we can lose.
Romans 8:38-39 – 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.
GENERAL SUMMARY: Paul states that all Christians should have full assurance of faith that no power or Satan or circumstance of this life has the power to separate us from God’s love towards us in Christ Jesus. 
DIGGING DEEPER: For I am sure: I am utterly persuaded; I am fully convinced by the spirit of faith.
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: This list is intended to poetically include every possible scenario or category of existence (both good and bad) which the Christian faces in this life or in the life to come. It literally refers to anything or everything.
Will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord: Paul’s strong belief that nothing can separate a believer from Christ is founded upon the nature of the love of God itself, upon God’s eternal purposes, upon our adoption as the children of God, upon our security in Christ, and upon the divine power of Holy Spirit at work in our lives.
Taken together, the meaning of the whole passage is that the believer has no cause to fear for his ultimate spiritual safety. His or her present state of reconciliation with God is not accidental and neither is it temporary. It is the result of the long-settled purpose of God.
This is a work which God has undertaken and we have full confidence that he will accomplish what he has begun. We also have full confidence that our Redeemer Jesus, who gave his life for our salvation, will act as our constant Mediator now that he is seated at the right hand of God the Father. Regardless of what we may be called to endure, Christ will never leave us – he will give us the strength to endure until we are glorified with him in eternity.
Let me offer you some encouragement, relief and strength:
The glorious promises and assurances that we read about in today’s post are reserved for the children of God – sinners just like you who have repented and submitted their lives to Christ Jesus.
Are you a child of God? If not, you can become one right now. The bible says this about salvation:
Romans 10:9-10 – If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
If you are truly sorry for your sin and you want to repent and become a child of God, you can do so by saying a simple prayer from your heart. You don’t need any special words, just tell Christ that you are sorry, that you believe he is the risen Son of God and that you want him to forgive you and reign in your life.
If you feel more comfortable with a written prayer or if you can’t think of what to say, you can use the following prayer, which was written by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association:
Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is your Son. I believe that he died for my sin and that you raised him to life. I want to trust him as my Savior and follow him as Lord, from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
If you have prayed this prayer of salvation, you are now a child of God. Please be sure to share this information with someone. Your next step is to find a bible believing church who can assist you in growing in your walk with Christ.