Christians-- at least the ones I've been exposed to-- love to quote these last two verses. What can separate us from the love of Christ??? But WHY is Paul so convinced that nothing can separate us? It's because God has already given us the best of Himself in Christ! Jesus Christ, the God-Man gave up the glories of heaven-- for a time. And Christ suffered the full wrath of the Father for the sins of His people. God's wrath is satisfied, so what can separate us from His love? Paul's answer is simple... NOTHING. But I tend to skim over familiar verses or passages and not really get the impact of what I read. However, if you look at the end of the list, "nor ANYTHING else in all creation" (emphasis mine). That means ME! I cannot separate MYSELF from the love Christ has lavished upon me! And that's GOOD NEWS!!! =)
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:31-39
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