Derek Smith, Lead Pastor LHBC
Romans 8:31-39
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 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? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 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. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 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.
One day, the great English Pastor Charles Haddon Spurgeon was walking through the countryside with a friend. As they strolled along, the evangelist noticed a barn with a weather vane on its roof. At the top of the vane were these words: GOD IS LOVE. Spurgeon remarked to his companion that he thought this was a rather inappropriate place for such a message. “Weather vanes are changeable,” he said, “but God’s love is constant.”
“I don’t agree with you about those words, Charles,” replied his friend. “You misunderstood the meaning. That sign is indicating an exquisite truth: Regardless of which way the wind blows, God is love.”
Wow, now that is great news! We live in a world that changes by the minute it seems like. However, no matter which way the winds of change blow, the love of God stays the same. For the Child of God this love is an extravagant, never ending, incomprehensible love that serves as the foundation for our Christian existence. To know and love God is the very purpose of life, and to be loved by Him is true satisfaction for the soul.
The first 8 chapters of Romans are some of the greatest explanatory passages in all of the Bible in terms of the gospel. Romans chapters 1 through 8 are the gospel section of God’s systematic theology handbook, explaining exactly how God has saved us, justified us, redeemed us, and sanctified us through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Romans 8 is the great crescendo of this gospel exposition, and in it we have some of the sweetest gospel promises in all the New Testament. It’s been said that Romans 8 is like Kryptonite for discouragement, and I would add it is Satan’s poison. It reminds us of who we are and what we have in Christ and who the devil and his demons are….defeated foes! We are more than conquerors through Christ!
The final two verses of this chapter are just remarkable. Not only is God’s love extravagant, unfathomable, and unending, His love is also inseparable. Paul tells us that nothing can separate us from God’s love through Christ Jesus our Lord. No sin, or circumstance, or enemy, or future event; nothing at all can separate us from God’s love! Nothing we do and nothing done to us can separate us from His love.
Today, Child of God, rest in His love for you. If you have turned from sin and placed faith in Christ you are a Child of God, and He loves you more than you will ever comprehend. Find your identity in His love. He’s not impressed by our successes nor depressed by our failures; He loves us just as we are…..His Children. So, as Paul says in Ephesians 3:17, I pray you would be “rooted and grounded in love.” The love of God is what gives our relationship with Him such deep roots, and unlike some in this world, He will never leave you nor forsake you. Child of God, rest in the inseparable love of God.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, your love is so amazing. How can it be that you would love a sinner like me? How is it that you call me your Child when I have lived in disobedience to you? Thank you Jesus for the cross, for taking my place. I can never repay You, but I promise to spend all my days saying “thank you.” Amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.