“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” (Romans 8:37)
Romans 8:37 is a wonderful verse—full of hope and encouragement. It is the kind of verse that we love to read, memorize and quote to people when they are going through hard times. The only problem is that when I really start to look at what it says, the meaning is difficult to comprehend.
I can understand that one day when I get to heaven I will be a conqueror. And I can understand that once in a while on earth I can be a conqueror. But this verse tells me that I am always a conqueror, and not just one who is barely winning the fight but who is super-conquering!
This is hard to grasp because as I look at my life and the reality in which I live, I really don’t feel much like a super-conqueror. Yet as I examine Romans 8, I realize that what Paul has written is actually true—we really are conquerors through Christ!
Look at these four incredible freedoms that we have through our victory in Christ:
Freedom from Judgement
Not that we will never sin again, but we are free from the condemnation of that sin. Christ has died for us and justified us! The law demanded from me what I could not do, yet I have no need to dread the penalty of falling short. Christ has paid it all.
Freedom from Sin
We are no longer obligated to live according to the flesh. The Spirit empowers all those who are in Christ to overcome the demands of the flesh. This does not mean we will live in sinless perfection, but it does mean that we have been freed from the obligation of living for the flesh.
Freedom from Discouragement
Romans 8 is filled with groaning—creation is groaning and Christians are groaning. But more than that, there is Someone who groans on our behalf—the Holy Spirit. He intercedes for us and empowers us as we wait for Christ’s return. Our frustration from this present darkness is eased by the comfort of the Spirit.
Freedom from Fear
It is our unbreakable connection to God that provides hope and removes fear. God’s unfailing love has been proven to us by Christ’s death on the cross, so what could we possibly fear that would separate us? We can trust that all things will work together for good.
Why fear difficulty when Christ is our Helper?
Why fear danger when Christ is our Protector?
Why fear death if Christ is our Conqueror?
As Christians, we truly can face all that life presents us with confidence—not our own but Christ’s.
Practically, we may not always live and think according to these realities. Let Romans 8 encourage us to no longer live under the guilt of the law or control of the flesh. Instead, be filled and comforted by the Spirit as we wait for the coming glory!
God’s love is our guarantee that He will return, and it’s that same love that will carry us in victory until that day.
For more information on this passage, see Warren Wiersbe’s commentary. It is where I have gleaned some of these thoughts (i.e. the main points).
