What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?  (32) 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?  (33) Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect?  It is God who justifies.  (34) Who is he who condemns?  It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

The letter to the Romans was written by the apostle Paul and today we study the verses at the end of chapter 8. Paul begins this chapter by writing that there is “Therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”  The penalty for our sins has already been paid by Christ and by the resurrection of Jesus,  God has accepted this perfect sacrifice. Christ’s intercession covers our sin and abolishes spiritual death for the faithful. God’s love for us is demonstrated by giving His only Son to die for us and we must see all adversity in this light.  There are strong spiritual forces against the faithful but remember, anything against us is against God.  If God gave his dearest beloved for His plan of salvation, He will carry through with us as we are surely lesser than Christ

Paul makes it clear that God foreknows the faithful and he also teaches us that we will participate in the cross which is to be borne by His people.  In this light we are to humbly submit to whatever condition is allotted to us.  Sorrows and afflictions of this world are no loss and only temporary – Christ is our perfect example of submission.  Present miseries might make us less in the eyes of the world but before God, we will shine.

The indwelling Spirit gives us courage to react to adversity.  All miseries are consecrated in Christ and we are promised victory.  Nothing can resist God – we can be shaken but not defeated.  There is no room for an accuser as God, our judge, has already pronounced the faithful exempt from guilt. No adversary can endanger our salvation. There remains no condemnation for the faithful in Christ

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, (19) by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in  prison, (20) who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few that is, eight souls, were saved through water.  (21) There is also an antitype which now saves us – baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, (22) who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. 

Our verses today were written by the apostle Peter, probably around 64 Ad – Nero was emperor, Rome had already burned and the Christians were being blamed for the devastation. Persecution was escalating and many of the Christians were imprisoned or murdered because of their faith. Peter is writing to encourage them and bolster their courage in those terrible times.

The Christians must have felt the whole world were unbelievers and these unbelievers were the ones with power – the power of life and death over them. In our verses Peter is reminding them that early godly people were also a minority and God had preserved them as only eight people had survived the flood. Peter is saying in effect the world has always been full of unbelievers but the godly should not be terrified at their numbers.  Peter reminds the Christians that Christ Jesus was the perfect example of one who suffered unjustly and is the clear and only source of salvation. The resurrection of Christ was the acceptance of the sacrifice of Christ by God and our faith is the completion of our salvation. Baptism is symbolic of what has already occurred at the moment of faith – it is a sign of the washing of the soul by the Spirit – by the blood of Christ. Baptism does not save us from sin but it is a pledge, a commitment and a public stand which echoes what has already happened in faith.  And Peter reminds those facing persecution not to seek Christ in things of this world but to prepare with baptism and keep always in mind the example and sovereignty of Christ.

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  (32) Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks, or to the church of God, (33) just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. (11:1) Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

The first letter to the Corinthians was written by the apostle Paul.  In chapter 10 of the letter Paul describes his ministry – Paul lived so as people wouldn’t withdraw/be offended, but instead would be attracted to his preaching of the gospel and be saved; he sacrificed some of his own liberty (regarding indifferent things) for the sake of others but his purpose was to further the glory of God.  The whole of salvation history is for the glory of God. As c.s.Lewis pointed out,  it matters not what man thinks of God but rather what God thinks about man.

Our verses today are really the essence of Christian living.  We are to live in all respects for the glory of God with a regard for others in the second place.  The faithful are all ministers of God for the salvation of others.  Paul uses himself and his way of living as an example  to confirm the doctrine he teaches – he exhorts the Corinthians to do what he does, which is in fact his imitation of Christ; He urges nothing to others that he didn’t do himself.  Paul is saying that Christ Jesus is the only pattern of right acting.  In another words, follow the saints but only if the model for them is Christ.

For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!  (17) For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship.  (18) What is my reward then?  That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel. (19) For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more…….(22) to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak.  I have become all things to all men that I might by all means save some. (23) Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be a partaker of it with you. 

The first letter to the Corinthians was written by the apostle Paul as a letter of encouragement and correction. Paul had founded the church at Corinth and soon after (as usually happened)  false teachers arrived at Corinth intent on perverting the doctrine of the gospel he preached.  And apparently at Corinth there were also personal attacks on Paul challenging his authority as an apostle.

In chapter nine of Corinthians, Paul gives us a description of his life and ministry.  He had williing given up his right to support from the church – he waived any hindrance to the gospel and compared his working to support himself to the behavior of the false teachers.  He viewed his preaching of the gospel as a sacred obligation and goes further to say he was called by God to preach and a curse be upon him if he did not do so.  Paul was prepared to go to any lengths to fulfill his sacred trust and he does so willingly.  He was committed to his calling to any and all extent.

Paul let go of some of his liberty so as not to impede the gospel and accommodated himself to all.  Becoming all things to all men was only an appearance and here he meant ceremonial and indifferent things, not unlawful or doctrinal things. His design was to bring men to Christ, not to promote himself.  Paul purposes to gain all to salvation in Christ and he amends this to saving some which is chilling. His goal is to partake of the gospel with them meaning he lives always with the goal of eternal salvation.

Not only are we to embrace the gospel but all must persevere. Paul uses the analogy of the Isthmian games (held in Corinth) and the prize for running the race – having begun the race we must finish.  For the many who run the Christian race they will win when death alone ends the race