Romans 8:31 NKJV
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Introduction: The Question “Why?”
In life, we often ask the question: Why?
Why should I keep trusting God when things are difficult?
Why should I not fear when the enemy attacks?
Why should I believe I can overcome?
Why should I keep standing when I feel weak?
Romans 8:31 gives us one of the most powerful answers in all of Scripture:
Because God is for us.
This does not mean we will never face opposition. It does not mean we will never experience hardship, temptation, disappointment, or spiritual attack. Paul does not say, “No one will ever be against you.” He says something far greater: If God is for us, who can be against us? Please note: the correct translation should be “since” and not “if”.
In other words, the opposition may be real, but it is not greater than God.
1. Why Can We Have Confidence? Because God Is for Us
Romans 8:31 is not based on positive thinking. It is not based on our own ability, personality, strength, education, or resources. Our confidence is based on this unshakable truth: God Himself is on our side.
If God is for us, then His love is for us.
His grace is for us.
His mercy is for us.
His power is for us.
His promises are for us.
This does not mean God approves of everything we do. A loving Father will correct His children. But it means that, in Christ, God’s heart is not against us. He is not looking for ways to destroy us. He is working to save, restore, strengthen, and complete what He has started in us.
Philippians 1:6 NKJV
“He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
So, why can I have confidence?
Because God has not abandoned me.
Because God has begun a work in me.
Because God is committed to finishing what He started.
2. Why Should We Not Fear Opposition? Because God Is Greater
Paul asks, “Who can be against us?” The answer is not that nobody will be against us. Many things may come against us: people, pressure, temptation, fear, sickness, disappointment, spiritual darkness, or our own weaknesses.
But none of these things are greater than God.
1 John 4:4 NKJV
“He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
When the prophet Elisha’s servant was terrified because their city was surrounded by an enemy army, Elisha prayed for him…
2 Kings 6:15-16
And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
This is the same truth expressed in another way. The believer does not overcome because the battle is small. The believer overcomes because the One within us is greater than the one against us.
Fear often grows when we focus only on what is against us. Faith grows when we remember Who is for us.
The question is not, “Is there opposition?”
The question is, “Is the opposition greater than God?”
And the answer is always: No.
3. Why Are We More Than Conquerors? Because Christ Has Already Won
Romans 8 does not deny suffering. In fact, Paul speaks honestly about tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, and sword. Yet, after mentioning these things, he makes this bold declaration:
Romans 8:37 NKJV
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
Notice the words: “in all these things.”
Not after all these things.
Not when all these things disappear.
But in all these things.
This means the believer can walk through difficulty and still carry victory. We may not always feel strong, but our victory is not based on feelings. It is based on Christ’s love, Christ’s cross, Christ’s resurrection, and Christ’s presence in us.
We are more than conquerors because Jesus did not merely survive the cross. He defeated sin, death, and the powers of darkness.
So, why can I overcome?
Because Christ has already overcome.
4. Why Can We Keep Going? Because Christ Strengthens Us
Sometimes the greatest battle is not around us, but within us. We become tired. We feel weak. We wonder whether we can continue.
That is why Philippians 4:13 is such a powerful reminder:
Philippians 4:13 NKJV
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
This verse does not mean we can do anything we selfishly desire. It means that, through Christ, we can do whatever God calls us to do. We can endure. We can forgive. We can stand. We can obey. We can keep going. We can remain faithful.
The strength of the Christian life is not self-strength. It is Christ-strength.
So, why can I continue?
Because Christ strengthens me.
Because His grace is sufficient.
Because when I am weak, He is strong.
5. Why Is God for Us? Because He Gave His Son
Romans 8:31 becomes even more powerful when we read the next verse:
Romans 8:32 NKJV
“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
Paul is saying: Look at the cross. That is the proof that God is for you. The cross is the greatest evidence of God’s love. If God gave His Son for us while we were still sinners, then we do not need to wonder whether His heart is good towards us.
God did not prove His love with words only. He proved it through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
So, why do I know God is for me?
Because Jesus died for me.
Because the cross declares God’s love.
Because the resurrection declares God’s victory.
6. Living from the Answer: “Because God Is for Me”
When fear asks, “Why should you be brave?”
Answer: Because God is for me.
When weakness asks, “Why should you keep going?”
Answer: Because Christ strengthens me.
When condemnation asks, “Why should God still love you?”
Answer: Because Christ died for me.
When the enemy asks, “Why do you think you can overcome?”
Answer: Because greater is He who is in me.
When life asks, “Why are you more than a conqueror?”
Answer: Because I am loved by Christ.
Romans 8:31 teaches us to stop measuring life only by what is against us and to start measuring life by Who is for us.
Conclusion
The theme “Why?” is answered beautifully in Romans 8:31.
Why can we stand?
Why can we overcome?
Why can we be courageous?
Why can we keep believing?
Why can we face tomorrow with hope?
Because God is for us.
And if God is for us, then no enemy, no fear, no failure, no weakness, and no opposition has the final word. God has the final word.
His word is love.
His word is victory.
His word is Christ.