ON THE WINNER’S SIDE by: Bro. Teody Galit

Almost all of us have favorite games that we love to play or watch. Filipinos love sports passionately. In every game that we play our aim is to win, and every time our team is winning we feel so inspired to play even better to maintain our position on the winning side. Even those who are just rooting for his or her favorite team will become so emotional on the outcome of the performance of his or her team, whether they are on the winning side or on the losing side.

In our Christian lives each of us should aim to be always on the winning side in every battle in this world. The Lord wants every one of us to be a winner and not a loser. Today we will see what the Bible tells us that once we are in Christ we can be sure that we are on the winning side.

There are three Points that prove Christians are on the winner’s side (Romans 8:31-39)



Point # 1: NO ONE CAN BE AGAINST US



Romans 8:31-32 (NKJV)

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?



“Satan and all those under his power are always against every believer of Jesus; but Paul said that “if God is for us who can be against us?” This is how God value every believer. He did not spare His own Son and gave him up for us to be saved, how much more can he not protect us from every work of Satan? This is why Paul said, “who can be against us.” We often quote this verse, but do we really appreciate how God valued us? One good example that we failed to see what God has done to us is by our prayers. If God did not answer our prayers according to our own plans and schedules, most of the time we become upset and think that God is intentionally withholding the things that we are asking Him. Some people even say that they were neglected by God, which is completely wrong. God has given us the greatest gift, His only Son to die, for us to be saved. That is a wonderful thing to know how God works for our own good. If He can give His only son for us how much more can He not freely gave us everything? Do you think God will allow His ultimate sacrifice to be invalid by refusing to protect and guide every believer? Let us think about it.



Point # 2: NO ONE CAN CHARGE US



Romans 8:33-34 (NKJV)

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.



Since God did not spare His Son and gave Him to save us, do you think He can charge or accuse us? Or even let somebody to do the same to us. God is the one who justifies us; he gave us the right to stand with Him. And because He justifies us who can successfully charge or accuse someone whom God declared righteous? Nobody! He is the judge that declared us not guilty! Who will then dare to accuse us? Even Jesus will not condemn us because He was the one who died for our sins, He will not allow His death to be invalid if He condemns us. Instead He is risen and now sits on the right hand of God interceding for all of us. If God, who created everything, cannot put a charge on us, who can charge us now?

Four things that Jesus did and still doing for the believers not to be charge:

1. His death

2. His resurrection

3. His exalted position

4. His continuing intercession for us



Point # 3: NO ONE CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST



Romans 8:35-39 (NKJV)

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.



On this last point Paul wanted us to realize the assurance that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. The list of things that Paul mentioned that can separate us from the love of Christ is not just theoretical. It is based on his own personal testimony and experiences. He survived and emerged triumphant when he faced all the things that he mentioned.

Paul quoted Psalms 44:22 to remind us that every believer who trusts God and faithful followers of Jesus must expect to face persecutions, even death, difficulties and sufferings. But in the end we will emerge victorious because we are more than conquerors because Jesus loves us.

For every believer, it is a rule and not an exemption to suffer because we are followers of Jesus. So instead of being separated from Christ by all the circumstances that Paul had mentioned it should always purify us and make our faith in Jesus stronger. Our goal is victory, with Jesus with us we are always on the winner’s side. Paul said that nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus Christ, even all the created things. Paul said that we are more than conquerors through Him who love us. God the creator of heaven and earth is on our side; what more can we ask for? Nothing!

So it is our choice which side we want to be on: on the winner’s side or on the loser’s side. I hope that we already made our decision and made the right choice.



CONCLUSION



Isaiah 50:9 (NKJV)

Surely the Lord GOD will help Me; Who is he who will condemn Me? Indeed they will all grow old like a garment; The moth will eat them up.



In every circumstance that we may face, our source of help should always come from the Lord. He should be our first choice and not the last option. God will cause everything to work together for good to accomplish His ultimate purpose for His children.

Suffering will still bring pain, loss, and sorrow. But under God’s control the outcome will always be for our own good. God always work in His own ways; and it is His promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Let us continue to obey and put our trust on Him, and we can be sure that we are always on the winner’s side because He is always with us.