“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. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” Romans 8:31–35

Every Resurrection Sunday that you celebrate ought to be a celebration of victory. Though trials regularly come your way, though the world seems darker year after year, though nagging personal doubts plague your conscience, though your lost loved ones persist in unbelief, though the enemy of your soul seems to lurk in every shadow, Resurrection Sunday is a day of truthful reminders that draw you with renewed hope out of fear, despondency, and short-sighted faithlessness.

Romans 8 is a chapter of victory—victory won by our Savior Jesus Christ. The immediately preceding chapter is a poignant reminder of a believer’s total inadequacy in personal resources to do any effectual good for Christ. There may be a will to do right but any dependence upon self is doomed to fail. Defeat is our constant state without God’s sovereign aid. This is the realm of gloom were we dwell when we look inwardly and outwardly, but not upwardly. Romans 8 causes believers to look upwardly. Paul sets about the task of pointing out the truth that God’s love is eternally and practically victorious in your behalf, both through His Son and in you.

Verse 31 expresses God’s uncaused, unalterable attitude toward every Christian. Paul asks the obvious inference from such love, “Since God is for [on behalf of] us, who can be [down] against us?” Though English translations tend to say “if,” the Greek construction is a first class condition, meaning it is a sure thing that God is for His own. From the vantage point of the certainty of God in our camp, what real fear opposes us? What despondency has a right to dampen your ardor for Him? What excuse is there to drop anchor in short-sighted “faithlessness bay?” God is nothing if He is not able!

The greatest proof of His love for His saints is the sacrifice of His Son. If He has gone to such an inconceivable length to secure your salvation, why would He withhold anything else needed to see the job through? Paul declares, “He who did not spare His own Son [unique, precious, His own peculiar private possession], but delivered Him up for [in behalf of] us all, how shall He not with Him also freely [in grace] give us all things?” This verse’s primary point is that your salvation is all a gift of God’s grace. The giving without sparing, the delivering without mercy, of His own dear Son as a substitute for you displays the infinite love that embraced an unimaginable sacrifice to secure your soul! His sacrifice displays your value to the Father and to the Son. And, not only is this true for one, it is true for all God’s children; Christ bought us all!

There will be no fairy tale ending that “for want of a nail…the kingdom was lost.” God’s lavish love will not stop short of ultimate and complete victory. “How shall He not freely give us all things?” He who has done so much will surely continue to do much more than we can possibly hope. There is no stingy nature to our God. He, in grace, gives and gives again. Every Resurrection Sunday is a joyful reminder of the Great Heart we have in our heavenly Father.

Paul then asks two questions, each of which, with its answer, further cements the fact that God is actively engaged in your behalf and will never work against you. Paul’s first question is, “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect [His chosen-out ones]?” There may be many who seek to charge God’s children, even a believer is likely to remain behind in chapter 7 and wallow in self-doubt with plenty of memories of failings and faithlessness. Paul’s answer betrays his reasoning, “God justifies!” He alone is the One whose love must be secured, and His love is doing the justifying, not the charging. He will not both justify and accuse. There is no room for fear, despondency, or short-sighted faithlessness.

The second question is “Who is he who condemns us?” As in the first question, Paul’s answer raises your thoughts to heaven, “It is Christ who died, and furthermore [what is more] is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also [constantly] makes intercession for us.” Jesus is not about to be condemning when He is interceding for you. He has willingly died in your behalf, risen from the grave proving your justification (Romans 4:25), and has taken His rightful place beside the Father. There He continues His work in your behalf, constantly interceding for you. He will not both intercede and condemn. There really is no room for fear, despondency, or short-sighted faithlessness.

The whole passage is speaking of the living, dynamic, loving relationship you have with your heavenly Father and with His Son. The full meaning of Resurrection Sunday is that we serve a living Savior and conquering King! Resurrection Sunday is a celebration of victory—God’s victory. No one and nothing can “separate [space, distance] us from the love of Christ!” Nothing, no one, not even God Himself will separate you from His victorious love. On this day remember God’s victorious love and give Him praise worthy of His name and His work! Trust and obey.