Is eternal life really eternal? Does my salvation really last forever? Will my present standing in Christ truly result in glorification? Will heaven be mine one day?
Romans 8:31–39 answers these questions in multiple ways. This passage powerfully teaches the doctrine of eternity security—that once we are saved, we will always be saved, thanks to our righteous, loving God.
Paul begins this passage with a question, “What then shall we say to these things?” (Rom 8:31). In order to fully appreciate Rom 8:31–39, we must remind ourselves what “these things” are—the promises of glorification and eternal life, matters found not only in Romans 8 but all the way back to Romans 5. We have the hope of eternal life (Rom 5:1–11) because we have faith in Christ who obeyed, died, was raised, and now lives in heaven for us (Rom 5:12–21). We battle indwelling sin, but God’s grace to us through union with Christ gives us a newness of life whereby we live unto Him in His Son (Rom 6:1–14). We no longer live under sin and death but unto obedience, righteousness, and God (Rom 6:15–23). We have died to attempting righteousness on our own because we now belong to Christ (Rom 7:1–6). We live not by the power of our flesh affected by indwelling sin, but by the Spirit who has liberated us in Christ Jesus from the power of this sin (Rom 8:1–17). Even in spite of suffering, we overcome, and glory is ours one day (Rom 8:18–30).
“These things” now in mind, “What then shall we say?”
Romans 8:31–34 yields the first round of answers by asking more questions, primarily of a legal nature. Glorification and eternal life are certain because “God is for us,” proven by sending His Son for us (Rom 8:32). Christ suffered for our condemnation, a sentence that every charge of sin would have brought our way (Rom 8:33–34a). More than that, Christ Jesus was raised, sits at the right hand of God, and intercedes for us (Rom 8:34b). In other words, God raised our Savior and Advocate, brought Him to His throne, and listens to Him to speak on our behalf—and God sent His Son to do all that for us. Certainly, “God is for us”!
Romans 8:35–39 then speaks to our relationship with God and dramatically emphasizes that neither person (Rom 8:35, “Who) nor thing (Rom 8:37, “all these things”) can sever us from God’s love. These verses begin by asking if anyone can “separate us from the love of Christ” (Rom 8:35a). They conclude that nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:39b). Whatever the trial may be, wherever it might take place, whoever may be behind it, whenever it may happen (cf. Rom 8:35b–39a)—the love of God in Christ to His children is for both now and forever.
So, yes—and emphatically so—your eternal life is eternal, your salvation lasts forever, and you will be glorified in heaven one day. Praise God through Christ Jesus our Lord!
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