Identity in Christ Series: Week Thirteen I am Inseparable from the Love of God

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-39 NLT)

Here is Romans 8, Paul lists the things that one might assume could separate us from the love of God. I need to remind us that Paul is talking to believers here.

First up are trials (trouble, calamity, persecution, hunger, being destitute, danger, or threat of death). In 2 Timothy 4:16 Paul tells Timothy that during his trial everyone abandoned him. However, in verse 17 we read, “But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death.” (2 Timothy 2:17 NLT)

David tells us, “The Lord does not abandon His children in their time of need. How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.” (Psalm 36:7 NLT) And again in Psalm 91:9-16 we read, If you make the Lord
your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The Lord
says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” (NLT)

          We know that both Paul and David faced more than their share of trials. But with confidence they both declare that God did not abandon them. They were convinced that God’s love was with them through it all. How comforting is that for us today? The scripture tells us in Romans 2:11 that God is no respecter of persons, He does not show favoritism.

If Paul and David’s trials did not separate them from His love our trials will not either. In fact, Romans 8 tells us that the victory is ours through Christ, who loved us enough to die for our sins! If He loved us that much, we can rest assured our trials will not hinder that love!!!

Secondly, can death separate us from the love of God? No! David said, "I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.” (Psalm 139:7-10)

If we die, we will join Christ in heaven. No matter how many people have gone there before us the love of Christ can and will find us in the vast crowd at the foot of the throne!

Thirdly, can life separate us from God? Again, No! No matter where we go, David assures us that God will be there. Have you ever played hide and seek with a toddler? When it is their turn to hide, they usually hide in places where their faces are hidden but not their bodies. Why? Because they believe that if they cannot see you, you cannot see them. Not so with God. He is ever watching over His children. He sees us no matter where we go or what we are doing.

Next, we see that Paul says, neither angels, nor demons can separate us from the love of God. Colossians 1:16 (NLT) says, For by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, [things] visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [that is, by His activity] and for Him. Here we see that God created angels and demons (fallen angels), rulers, and authorities. Just as the pot cannot tell the potter how to use it (Romans 9:21), neither can created beings prevent God from loving His children.

To continue, Paul says that not even our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow can separate us from God’s love. Philippians 4:6-7(NLT) says, Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.     When we pray and then offer thanksgiving, we receive peace that surpasses all understanding. That very fact alone demonstrates for us that fear and worry cannot separate us from God’s love.

Additionally, not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. If as Paul states in Romans 8, ours is the victory through Christ, then we add to that what Paul also says in Ephesians 1:21 (NLT), Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come, then we are certainly not going to be separated from God’s love by any powers of hell! Hallelujah!!!!

Finally, Paul concludes with this: No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

As we have already seen, nothing can separate us from the love of God. John 3:16 tells us that because of God’s love for us He sent Jesus to die for us. John 15:13 tells us that greater love has no one than this, laying down his life for his friends. Romans 5:8 tells us that while we were still sinners (enemies of God) that Christ died for us. His love is so vast, so deep, so high, so amazing!!!! 

My friend, there is nothing you can do to make God love you more and there is nothing you can ever do to make Him love you less. He first loved us, so we can now not only receive His love but love Him in return.

NOTHING can separate us from the love of God!!!!!  

 

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