“He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all,
how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?”
(Romans 8:32)
This verse is one among many in Scripture that gives believers a well-grounded assurance of their position of blessedness in Jesus Christ. The foundation on which Paul builds this assurance is common to all believers: God “spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
The argument Paul puts forth is a logical one. If God loved so much that He bore the ultimate sacrifice – sending His one and only Son to be mutilated by evil people in order to purchase the ultimate gift of salvation – does it not make sense that He would also, by default, freely and gladly give us everything else? In other words, because He has secured our salvation, we can rest assured He has provided sufficiently for our sanctification, preservation, and glorification as well.
It is the very design of God’s plan evidenced in Scripture to bring souls first to an acquaintance with Jesus Christ and then to build them up in a sweet assurance of their actual interest in Christ. Commenting on assurance, Martin Luther said, “With faith always must be joined a certain assurance of God’s mercy. Now this assurance comprehends a faithful trust of remission of sins for Christ’s sake. For it is impossible that thy conscience should look for anything by God’s hand, except first it be assured that God is merciful unto thee for Christ’s sake.”[1]
God’s Word evidences God’s truth to us. It opens the depths of God’s mercy, and it assures believing souls of eternal happiness in Jesus. Hebrews 6:17-18 says, “So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of His purpose, He guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.”
Our God who does not lie gave His Word – His oath and seal – in order that our consolation may be strong and our salvation sure.
But it is not enough to know that God did not spare His Son from a horrific death to save me. Rather, it is my belief in this truth that raises joy in my soul through the Spirit’s work in affirming the word of God in me. The Scripture affirms my joy, yet only through the power of the Holy Spirit, testifying to the truth of salvation that can only be had in Jesus Christ.
- Lord, You laid out a foundation of assurance in the Bible for me. Having done this, I see clearly what a structure of grace is built on it. You freely give us all things in Christ, a comprehensive gift that affords a great amount of comfort to my heart.
- If I understand this Lord, through Jesus Christ, everything in Your world that will do me good is mine because it all belongs to You, and I am in You. You own and control all things, so what more can I desire than to rely on You in all things?
- “All things” reaches into two worlds – heaven and earth. Both are mine through Christ. You promise me in Matthew 6:33, “First seek the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Further References for Romans 8:32
John 3:16; Rom. 4:25; 1 Cor. 3:21; Psa. 84:11; Matt. 3:17; Eph. 2:7
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Footnote:
[1] A Commentary on St. Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians [London: James Clarke, 1962], p. 232
