The difference between us and non-Christians does not lie merely in holding different beliefs. Christians believe in Elohim YHWH, God the Father, and the Lord Jesus, who was sent as Savior. However, other religions also have gods and prophets whom they believe in. If the difference were only that, then the quality of life of Christians would not differ from that of followers of other religions. In fact, it is not uncommon for non-Christians to display better behavior than Christians themselves.
However, true Christians—those who genuinely follow in the footsteps of Jesus—must be able to embody what Jesus said in Matthew 5:20: that their religious life must be more righteous than that of the scribes and Pharisees, and perfect like the Father. This is extremely difficult and demanding. The stake is one’s entire life. Yet, if we view it from the perspective of eternity, we will never regret choosing to go all-out for God. The choice lies with each individual, but each individual must also bear the risks. We are free to choose.
Romans 5:1–5 says, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also boast in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
From this passage, it is clear that the Roman congregation possessed a spiritual life that met divine standards—not merely the standards of religious people, but the standards of Jesus’ own life. This is evident in Paul’s expressions, such as “we also boast in our sufferings.” Suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. This shows that the Roman believers were a congregation that steadfastly suffered with Christ, remained faithful in holiness and obedience, and directed their lives toward the hope of eternity, longing to meet Jesus. They were people who loved God through the Holy Spirit. Christians who lack this quality of life cannot truly have peace with God.
That is why Paul continues in Romans 5:10–11, “For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having now been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” The expression “rejoice in God through Christ” means to feel valued, to possess spiritual pride, and to live in abundance through Jesus Christ. That is why the Roman believers were willing to endure suffering and lose everything for the sake of their faith in Christ. Thus, when Paul says, “we who have been justified by faith,” he is referring to himself and the Roman congregation. There is no doubt about the quality of faith of Paul and the Roman believers.
Likewise, when Paul says in chapter 8 that “we are more than conquerors,” he is still referring to himself and the Roman congregation. Therefore, if today we say, “we are more than conquerors,” we must pause and ask: who are we? If we are not like the Roman congregation, we should not say it carelessly. We can only say “more than conquerors” if we possess the same quality of life as the Roman believers. This congregation rejoices in the Lord, that is, it is proud and lives in spiritual abundance even while experiencing poverty, persecution, nakedness, and hunger. It is in this context that Paul says, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?”
It must be understood that Rome at that time was a great political power. The Romans were victorious in appearance, wealth, and status. By contrast, Christians were outcasts—people who were rejected, treated as persona non grata, avoided, disliked, and persecuted. Yet Paul said to the believers, “You are greater than they are.” Therefore, if today we feel that we are “more than conquerors,” we must ask: compared to whom? Which victors? This is where much confusion arises. Many people speak without understanding, and in the end, they are not only mistaken but also misleading. Their quality of life is not the quality of true faith. They are not evil; they may even enter heaven because of their goodness, but they do not yet possess genuine faith.