Join Louie Giglio as addresses one of the biggest questions, “If God is loving, why do bad things happen?” by diving deeper into Romans chapter 8, focusing on verses 31-39, and concluding our Epicenter collection.
Key Takeaway
If God is for us, nothing and no one can be against us, charge us, condemn us, or separate us from His love.
"If God is loving, why do bad things happen?"
What then shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31
Context is key.
When addressing this question, we must go back to what we learned in prior weeks of this series: all things aren't good, but in all things, God works. We also must understand that the promise needs context.
1. If God is for us, who can be against us?
- Romans 8:31-32
- If God is for us….us = those who are in Christ Jesus.
- How do you know if you're in Christ? If you've answered the call, said yes to the invitation, and yielded to the pursuit of God.
- This isn't a message to everyone. Outside of Christ, there is something that can separate you from the love of God: an eternity apart from God.
- The promise needs context.
- We know who He is and what His heart is like, and we trust Him.
- Nothing will prevail against God.
2. Who will bring any charge against those God has chosen? Based on what? It is God who justifies.
- Romans 8:33
- Not Condemned -> Justified
- We are guilty, and we have sinned, but at the end of the day, Jesus was condemned on our behalf, and we became justified.
3. Who is he that condemns?
- Romans 8:34
- No one.
- You or someone else could attempt to condemn others, but Christ Jesus is on the witness stand. Christ is testifying on your behalf.
- Some must speak up for themselves and believe they are no longer condemned.
4. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
- Romans 8:35-39
- The all things? No.
- We are more than conquerors. We will prevail.
- It's not that “all these things” won’t come, but that they won’t separate you from the love of God.
- What keeps us in all of these things is knowing that nothing and no one could ever separate us from the love of God.
When God chose you in His love to be His forever, He made you a promise: there is not a thing coming in this life that can change the place where He has you right now.
We may be in a valley, but we know God is real. The miracle of adoption and our position in Christ can’t be changed by any circumstance.
"If God is loving, why do bad things happen?"
- Bad things are happening, but they can’t stop God from holding me in His unfailing love.
Discussion Questions
Have you ever asked the question, "If God is loving, why do bad things happen?" How did you wrestle with this question? Are you still wrestling with it?
Do you look at the context of Scripture when studying it? What is a useful tool that you use to understand it better?
Do you trust God's heart? If not, what is keeping you from trusting Him?
Have you believed others when they have tried to condemn you? How has God's label of "justified" helped you find freedom from condemnation?
How do you understand condemnation vs. conviction?
What can separate you from the love of God?
Do you truly believe that nothing can separate you from the love of God?
Have you allowed your circumstances to trick you into believing that your position with God has changed?
What did Louie Giglio say that we needed the most?
Do you believe that you are more than a conqueror? That you will prevail? Why or why not?
Scripture References
