Who can be against us?

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What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, freely give us all things? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is the one who will condemn? Christ is the one who died (and more than that, he was raised), who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us. -Romans 8:31-34

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A few verses back in Romans Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit prays through us making intercession for the will of God in our lives. He seems to echo that thought here when he says that Christ is also interceding for us. The thought of this sort of advocacy so comforts me. It is like a parent in the stands cheering their child on as they run towards the goal line. Despite what our heads say to us at times, God is for us. He wants the best for us in everything that we do.

In light of this advocacy, how can we ever accept a condemnation or an accusation regarding God's love for us. In a sense we make ourselves vulnerable to such attacks when we are not secure in God's love for us. In truth, a healthy self image comes from knowing that we are divinely and unconditionally loved. Knowing this, there is no accusation against us that can stick. We are fully and unconditionally loved by the God "who did not spare his own Son".

Teach us Lord to fight off feelings of inadequacy and self hatred. Help us to accept your love.

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