He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
— ROMANS 8:32 —
Mike Leister: European Bible Training Center | Germany
If Romans has been referred to as “the cathedral of the gospel,” then Romans 8:32 is one of the magnificent steeples of this cathedral. Here Paul powerfully demonstrates the connection between the gospel and God’s character. With his question, Paul wants us to think rightly about God’s character. If God was indeed willing to give His greatest treasure for us in the gospel, how can we, as His children, raise doubts about His good intentions for us in hard times? If God, in His grace, was indeed willing to sacrifice His own Son for us sinners, then yes, how will He not, now that we are His children, also freely give us all things, that will work for our good, and glorify him!? In Romans 8, Paul explains that believers, just like the rest of creation, are not exempt from suffering. Believers experience illness, persecution, trials, and suffering. And how quickly do we then waver and question God’s character and doubt His goodness? In Romans 8:32, Paul uses the whole weight of the gospel to dispel all doubts about God’s goodness. If God was indeed willing to give His greatest treasure for us in the gospel, how can we, as His children, raise doubts about His good intentions for us in hard times? All too often the gospel is reduced to being merely a “ticket to heaven.” But it’s way more than that! It’s God’s most powerful means to reveal His character and His glory! It will take the believer a life-time of studying the gospel to get a proper view of God’s character through the lens of the cross. This view will give us the strength we need to trust the Lord, especially during difficult times. Don’t doubt God’s intentions—He spared not His Son. Trust His character; He will freely give us all things.
