“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ…” Rom. 8:16-17a
A close family friend sent this powerful quotation from Dr. Benjamin B. Warfield to one of my family members who has been struggling with her health. What an encouragement it was to her and to all of us! This citation is from a sermon given by Dr. Warfield in Miller Chapel to his students at Princeton Theological Seminary. Over the course of his lengthy ministry of teaching systematic theology in the classroom (1887-1921), he also passionately exhorted his students from the pulpit. Let me share it with you…
“If God be for us who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31) Let our hearts repeat this cry of victory today. And as we repeat it, let us go onward, in hope and triumph, in our holy efforts. Let our slack knees be strengthened and new vigor enter our every nerve. The victory is assured. The Holy Spirit within us cannot fail us. The way may be rough; the path may climb the dizzy ascent with a rapidity too great for our faltering feet; dangers, pitfalls are on every side. But the Holy Spirit is leading us. Surely, in that assurance, despite dangers and weakness, and panting chest and swimming head, we can find strength to go ever forward.”
— Warfield, Biblical and Theological Studies, 558
I pray the Lord will encourage and strengthen you to go forward by faith in the Christian life. The Holy Spirit who dwells within you, is stronger than all of the temptations and trials of this present world (1 Cor. 3:16 and 6:19-20; 1 John 4:4). His presence in our life is a great blessing, and one that we should regularly remind ourselves of. Recall as well, this ringing exclamation: “If God be for us who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31)
— Dr. Marcus J. Serven
Source: Warfield, Benjamin Breckinridge. “A Sermon: The Leading of the Spirit” in Biblical and Theological Studies. Edited by Samuel G. Craig. Philadelphia, PA: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1968. [page 558]
