Romans 8:38

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."



I remember the first time I read this verse. I thought it was so beautiful and powerful that I wrote it down on a piece of paper and stuck it on the side of the refrigerator so that I could look at it everyday. Last year was a trying year for our family... a refining year. We are still quite in the midst of it, so I have recently written down several verses on index cards to remind me of the truth (despite our circumstances). This verse is the one I happen to be looking at today.



For I... There are 3 verses that I have highlighted and have written down in Chapter 8 of Romans. It helps to look back all the way to v. 18 to see what Paul is talking about. "I consider that our present sufferings aren't worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." I won't even pretend to have any knowledge of the sufferings that Paul is talking about here. Who can truly begin to imagine what the 1st century Christians had to endure as a result of their faith. But what I can't pass by, is how relevant this scripture is to us all in every day and age. We live in a sin ravaged world and all are suffering in some way, big or small. In v. 28 Paul goes on to say "And we know that for all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Another beautiful promise, especially for those of us who are beginning to grow weary of our circumstances. But it still does not compare with the beauty of this final verse 38, the climax of the chapter.



am convinced... The Webster's Dictionary defines convinced as "to believe without doubt".



that neither death nor life... I am currently in the middle of a fascinating fiction series by Francine Rivers ( the Mark of the Lion series). It is set in Roman times immediately following the destruction of Jerusalem. One of the characters is a Christian named Hadassah who was taken prisoner and made a slave. Her greatest struggle in the first book, A Voice in the Wind , is her struggle with fear. She is desperately afraid not only to share her faith, but that if the time ever came that she must choose between proclaiming Christ and facing death or denying Him that she would fail God. Her greatest fears are realized when she is put in that exact position and what she finds is that she is able to proclaim Christ not because of any courage of her own, but because in God's mercy he provides her with all of the courage that she needs.



neither angels nor demons... This reminds me of possibly my favorite verse, 1 John 4:4, "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."



neither the present or the future... And here the verse gets very personal for me. I have been blessed in so many ways...a hardworking and loving husband, beautiful and healthy children, a giving family, provision for my every basic need...but when I think back over the past twelve months and particularly the financial situation we are currently in, I just want to crawl back under the covers. 2007 was a "one thing after the other" year. A friend of mine recently tried to reassure me by saying "There's a light at the end of the tunnel and it's not a train." However, I have to admit that I'm still not so sure there aren't a few more trains coming before the end of my tunnel. But this verse is a wonderful reminder, that no matter what my present or future holds, I cannot be separated from the love of God.



nor any powers... What other powers are there? Political, governments, religions, riches.



neither height nor depth... What is your position in life? Is is a high position: Are you famous, wealthy, and well respected? Is it a low position: Are you alone in life, no money, no job, no hope? Christ loves you no matter your status.



nor anything else in all creation... What keeps me from communing with God? Time, busyness, laziness, selfishness. T.V., kids, "just one more hour" of sleep. Sin.



will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. What love is this? A sacrificial love, an unconditional love, an unending love. A love like no other. A love that fills to overflowing. A love that gives peace and hope. The love of Christ. Pin It Now!