We’ve ended one of the most life-changing chapters in Sacred Scripture. It started with “There is therefore now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus” and ends with “For I am certain 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.”
This chapter holds within its text one of the most well-known Scriptures in Christendom: And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”
Taking the entire chapter to heart, we discover eternal assurance. We’ve, somehow, captured the heart of God.
Questions also come in the final passages of Chapter eight. They’re not there to confuse us, but to reassure us that with Christ it is well with our soul. The Lord already knows the answers to these questions:
- If God is for us, who can be against us?
- How will He not also with Him (Christ) grant us everything?
- Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect?
- Who can separate us from the love of Christ?
Without the benefit of a personal relationship with Christ, it would be difficult to answer these questions rightly. Our eyes need to see these questions in light of Christ’s character of love. He is not surprised by our past, knows our present, and He holds our future in His righteous right hand. Nothing can separate us from His love!
God blesses and keeps us?
Chapter eight reminds us that God’s lovingkindness is unlimited and His care complete.
God did not redeem you only to allow wolves to tear you apart. He did not send His blessed Holy Spirit to help, guide, and instruction you, so you could walk uninformed, ill-equipped, unsafe, and alone. Furthermore, he did not sanctify your soul only to let you behave like the world. God doesn’t fellowship with you daily only to leave you unloved.
He did not spare His own Son in vain.
Love leads the way.
Love, God’s love, keeps us safe.
The world, the evil one, and even we, ourselves, bring accusations and self-doubt whenever possible. Truly, we are our own worst enemy as we condemn ourselves by not ourselves as God sees us. When our eyes, ears, mind, and soul are open to the enemy’s lies, then we are to be more pitied more than anyone else on earth. Defeated and unloved.
Hogwash!
Don’t entertain yourself with those destructive ideas and deceptions because they are not coming from the Lord. Think about this: Our God is faithful to bless and keep you. Christ is interceding on your behalf and since we don’t know how to pray, the Holy Spirit is praying for us.
Trouble? Hardship? Persecutions? Hunger? Poverty? Danger? Death? They’ve set their sights on you, but don’t be afraid. Look up, the Lord your God is with you. Because He is who He is, you can rise-dup fully equipped to face, come what may. Why? Because we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us and loves us and loves us ever more.
Triumphant Living in Love
Triumphant. A word we rarely use, but it speaks so eloquently to how we’re living this “with-God” life. We’re triumphant because Christ is the Victor. Love blesses and keeps you, and He is already victorious in all circumstances.
So, go ahead, let your heart sing, and your mind thinks thoughts of victorious living.
You never walk in the shadows or sleep in the dark when the God of light leads you – no matter how difficult that way may become. He is with you.
The questions at the end of this chapter are not there to ask us to exam our hearts. No! They’re there to assure you of God’s faithful and merciful love enduring beyond the end of days – eternal.
Imagine how the yielded heart you give to God is shaped perfectly to fit in His hand. No one or nothing can take you out of His hand!
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, not angels, nor rulers nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, no height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:38-39 (CSB)
We are safe in God’s love!
For Christ’s sake, we are loved eternally. Our intimate relationship with God is an unbreakable bond, tested and tried yet stronger than ever. The prayer the priest prayed over the Jewish Nation adds a whole new meaning for those of us “grafted” in and enjoying the privileges of knowing Love.
The Eternal One bless and keep you. May He make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Eternal One lift up His countenance to look upon you and give you peace.
Numbers 6: 24-26 (The Voice)
Love allows for our childlike faith to blossom.
We are empowered by God the Holy Spirit to live in love, not fear or anxiety of the crowd. You, yes you, belong to the Lord – blessed and kept. Calm yourself from your unsettled thoughts of pain, death, and even the unknowns of the future.
You’re not immune to trouble, illness or even the pangs of death, but you have all the strength to endure it all and conquer in the end because of His great love. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Rev 12:11 KJV).
All the strength to endure and conquer comes to us because of His great love.
The greatest joy of this life is simply this: With-God
If He allows for trouble to cross your path, Love says, “I will see you through, you are safe with Me.” It’s a mystery how difficulties are not obstacles, but God’s appointed way in drawing Himself to us under the shadow of His great love.
The steppingstones, on the journey to the heart of God, always lead to love.
Stay on the good path and let nothing draw you away, for the Lord your God is with you—loving, loyal, and, oh so, faithful. In life, we’re living the with-God life – in death, we step into His presence for eternity.
Because Christ’s love is eternal.
It will not fade like the morning mist or change like shifting sand. His love forever, lasting, flawless, and on purpose.
You can trust Him—trust His love.
I am the Eternal One, by righteousness I have called you. I will take you by the hand and keep you safe…
My sheep respond as they hear My voice; I know them intimately, and they follow Me. I give them a life that is unceasing, and death will not have the last word. Nothing or no one can steal them from my hand. My Father has given the flock to Me, and He is superior to all beings and things. No one is powerful enough to snatch the flock from My Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.
Isaiah 42:6a and John 10:27-28 (The Voice)
Call to Action
As we complete this chapter, we are reminded that Love is working all things out for our good.
In response, write a love letter to the Lord or if you’re creative, write a poem. I challenge you then, in the beauty of your love relationship, read the letter or poem out loud to Him.
Trust me, you will not regret it.
As an aside, I would like to share a poem I wrote years ago that captures the love we’ve discovered today. I wrote it from the heart of a seeker.
The Heart of the Seeker
Birth Struggle Death There must be more. We seek. Seek, not knowing what we seek for, Seek, because of the emptiness in our hearts. Emptiness upon emptiness drives us on We thirst, Thirst, not knowing what we thirst for, Our soul dry and thirsty. Parched lips, seek relief. He comes to the Seeker. The empty heart The thirsty soul He tenderly touches the broken places. Within the heart Beyond the spirit Deep in our souls We bow low to the mystery of it all. He knows the Seeker. Knows intimately. Gently, oh so gently He came. Love comes. It is the Lord Most High Cradled in His infinite care. Saved by His tender touch. With a satisfied sigh Thirst quenched, emptiness filled. Loved Forever more. The Seeker seeks no more.
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart
(Jeremiah 29:13)
Nothing – absolutely nothing – can separate us from the love of God!
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