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The God I believe in Jesus Christ …
‘he descended into hell’
We can make the mistake of limiting the extent of the victory secured by Jesus, through his death and resurrection.
It was not simply the case that Jesus wrought forgiveness for those who believe, by paying the debt of sin for us with his own sinless life.
‘For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Romans 6:23)
Nor was it merely the case that Jesus thereby broke the power of death over those who believe
'(Christ Jesus) ... destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.’ (2 Timothy 1:10)
There was a wider and deeper triumph over the the forces of evil, and the Devil. A decisive breaking of the power and bondage of the forces of darkness over humanity. It’s hard to credit that at times, when we see evil and destructive forces in what seems like the ascendancy throughout our world. Jesus broke the chains of condemnation, bondage, destruction and death for humanity. But this is part of the point that is being made by this statement in the Apostles’ Creed, God has won the ultimate victory.
How?
There are no doubt many ways we could start to answer that question, but the principal answer that Paul gives is this:
through the power of the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
I would contend that even the events of world history demonstrate that the ultimate force in the universe is the power of love. What do you think? Can you think of any examples of this on the world stage, or on a personal level?
In what ways does the gospel confirm this?
(Romans 5:6-11)
Notice, it is not simply the power of love that is highlighted here, but the power of righteous love, the holy love of Jesus. Why is this so significant and crucial to understanding how Jesus’ death has atoning and saving power for us?
Implications
I know this seems strange, but we are going to start looking at our passage in Romans 8 from the middle, before we return to the beginning at the end. This is because sometimes people get so bogged down with v28-30, that they miss the foundation for these promises, which is described in the rest of the passage. So ...
(Read Romans 8:31-37)
Imagine a courtroom scene with a difference:
The Lord is in the seat of judgment. You are in the dock.
This is a trial to determine your righteousness, in order to be in God’s presence.
In yourself, what confidence would you have to stand before God?
What thoughts and memories flash through your mind? How do you start to give account before God, who knows everything about you?
But suddenly you are aware that there is one who stands with you and speaks on your behalf: Jesus, whose right to intercede for us is not based on his eloquence, but on the scars he bears that show he has paid the price for your sins. How does that change the scene for you?
Four questions are asked in v31-35
Who is against us?
The wrath of a holy God against our sin has been met by God giving his Son, and Jesus voluntarily offering himself in our place to pay for our sin.
So it can now be said, He is for us. Wesley’s last words were, ’The best news is God is for us’. Can you echo that sentiment?
Who will bring any charge against God’s elect?
We could put a list of charges as long as you like, before we even begin to think about what others may say, or what the Devil could rake up against us. But God justifies us by His grace, if we will accept it, and because of what Christ has done for us, all charges are dropped. How does that make you feel?
Who is to condemn?
Romans 6:23 declares the amazing exchange that God has made possible for us through Jesus. Christ died for our sakes, there can be no condemnation for those that are in him. Do you believe that in your innermost heart?
Who shall separate us?
This is the worst thing that could happen to a person: separation from God. Jesus endured this on the Cross, so that we may dwell with God forever. How much does that assurance make a difference when we go through the experiences Paul lists in v35?
(Read Romans 8:28-30)
In the light of what we have shared together already, are these verses slightly easier to understand and believe?
Often you hear people only quote the first part of v28, do you think this is likely to cause confusion in life? Why?
How do the verses that follow make it possible to believe that God is working for good, even in the most difficult moments in life?
Do you think most people would not think of love as the great dynamic force of the universe? Why?
The Christian gospel proclaims, as a modern writer has memorably said, ’Love is an action’. If you are grammatically inclined, ’Love’ is not an abstract noun, it is a verb, a ‘doing word’.
In Christ, love came down as far as it could go, will you let this love take you up far beyond all you can imagine?
Nor death nor life nor earth nor hell
Nor time’s destroying sway
Can e’er efface us from his heart
Or make his love decay
Each future period that will bless
As it has blessed the past
He loved us from the first of time
He loves us to the last
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