What, then, shall we say in response 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, along with him, graciously give us all things?
New International Version (NIV)
“At this point in your academic life, you need an advocate. I will be that advocate.” A brilliant young professor encouraged me with those words when I was doing my doctoral studies. His encouragement carried me through the arduous research and dissertation required to receive my degree. We sometimes joke that Ph. D. work is learning more and more about less and less until we know everything about nothing. I hope this is not true, but I know I would not have made it without an advocate.
Paul tells the Romans they have the greatest Advocate of all. God himself is for them. But what about their opponents who would persecute them? Who are they in comparison to God? But how do we know God is for us, really for us? He gave up his only Son for us. At least Abraham found a ram in place of his son on the mountain (Genesis 22). When God’s Son climbed Golgotha, there was no ram to take his place. So he became the sacrificial Lamb to take away the sin of the world.
In this a fortiori argument, Paul says if God gave us his very best in his Son, how will he not graciously give us all things “along with him.” God gives us everything we need, and all of it comes with Jesus. Apart from Jesus, even God’s good gifts would not be as good. At this point in your spiritual journey, you need an Advocate. And so you have One. His name is Jesus.
Pray with me:
Thank you, Oh my Father, for giving us your Son and leaving your Spirit until the work on earth is done. In the name of our Advocate we pray. Amen.
I want to invite you to join me in memorizing 52 passages this year from the 2017 set of Fighter Verses. You can find the Fighter Verses App at the App Store on your phones or via this link http://fighterverses.com/the-verses/fighter-verses/. As we study the Bible this year, let's look at each text and learn what it says about God.
Joyfully,
Duane
Copyright 2017. All Rights Reserved.
Share this email:
Manage your preferences | Opt out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
