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Romans 8:38, 39 - Omnipotent Love.Romans 8:38, 39 (NLT) 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. 39 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.INTRODUCTION God's love is eternal. These verses contain one of the most comforting promises in all Scripture. Believers have always had to face hardships in many forms: persecution, illness, imprisonment, even death. These could cause them to fear that they have been abandoned by Christ. But Paul exclaims that it is impossible to be separated from Christ. His death for us is proof of his unconquerable love. Nothing can stop Christ's constant presence with us. [Life Application SB] COMMENTARY PEARL Lifetime Guarantee In today's competitive marketplace, more companies are offering extended warranties to draw in new customers. Whether through the promise of full refunds or ironclad lifetime warranties, customer loyalty shoots up when companies stand behind the quality of their products. While not a businessman selling services or wares, the apostle Paul was marketing the promise of God's love for fallen humans. In Romans 8, he presented the confidence of salvation that we can have in Christ because of that love, culminating in the chapter's final verses in today's passage: You could be forgotten in the deepest, darkest dungeon, or you could be in the throes of the most influential rulers in the world - God's love for you is guaranteed. He has not forgotten you. This is not hyperbole: There is nothing - not even the supernatural power of the devil himself - that can "snatch [you] out of [God's] hand" (John 10:28). And this is not a mere 90-day money-back warranty; it is an eternal assurance of God's infinite compassion. But it is also important to clarify what promise Paul is not making. Salvation is given "to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" (Romans 8:1). Salvation is not guaranteed for those who love the carnal life and have gone after the flesh, who have chosen to separate themselves from God's love. God always respects our free will. To gain the promise of salvation, we must first decide to put our trust in the remarkable love of God. Dear Jesus, may I continually choose to accept the gift of Your endless love by walking with the Holy Spirit. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts] COMMENTARY It is necessary to maintain a living connection with heaven,... Wrestling with appetite and passion unaided by divine power will be unsuccessful; but make Christ your stronghold, and the language of your soul will be, "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us." Said the apostle Paul, "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." Let no one think he can overcome without the help of God. You must have the energy, the strength, the power, of an inner life developed within you. You will then bear fruit unto godliness, and will have an intense loathing of vice. You need to constantly strive to work away from earthliness, from cheap conversation, from everything sensual, and aim for nobility of soul and a pure and unspotted character. MS. 4a, 1885. MM143 Prayer is essential in order to receive strength to contend with the powers of darkness, and to do the work allotted us. Our own strength is weakness, but that which God gives is mighty and will make everyone who obtains it more than conqueror. 2T203 When Christ is abiding in the heart, you will not be light, chaffy, and immodest, but circumspect, and reliable in every place, sending forth pure words like streams from a pure fountain, refreshing all with whom you come in contact. If you decide to continue your idle talk and frivolous conduct, go into some other place where your influence and example will not be so widely felt, contaminating other souls. What you all need is such a sense of the purity and holiness of Christ as will lead you to despise this pretense of religion which blesses no one, gives no peace of conscience, no repose of faith. MM144 ILLUSTRATIONS I'm a "messy-anic" (Messy, Absentminded, Normal-ish, Imperfect, Creative) person. I coined that acronym because cluttery, scatterbrained, nonconforming, and flawed creative just sounded too embarrassing! But I admit ... my house is messy. I can't function without to-do lists, calendars, planners, reminders, timers, and a clock (or two) in every room. I'm a work in progress, never quite measuring up to my own ideal or best intentions. Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit continually inspires me with a surplus of creative ideas, more than enough to enact in one lifetime. Can you relate to any of this? Are you, in some way or another, a fellow messy-anic person? If so, you're in good company. Because Jesus has a heart for messy, flawed people. When He walked the earth, Jesus hung out with imperfect people with blemished reputations. People who'd blown it a time or two. He welcomed, healed, forgave, and loved those who were considered defective or inferior. I used to believe my messy-anic traits disqualified me from answering God's calling on my life. But once I fully understood that Jesus loves to use imperfect people to do His will, I no longer let those messy-anic traits hold me back. I love how Jesus embraces not only the clean and tidy folks, but also the incorrigibly messy-anic ones as well! Cassandra Tiersma Faith Step: No matter how messy, scattered, imperfect, or flawed you may sometimes feel, remember: There is no mess, flaw, or imperfection that can separate you from the love of Jesus. Spend some time in prayer, talking to Jesus about your messy-anic self. Thank Him for loving you anyway. [Mornings With Jesus 2022 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] After finishing a book about a woman's true story, I sank my head into my pillow and sobbed. I recalled similar hurtful experiences like those she'd described. After calming down, I took her advice. I walked to the bathroom, looked in the mirror, and said aloud, "I am a survivor of childhood sexual and verbal abuse." How could it be that now - in my fifties, married to a kindhearted husband, and mom to three grown, loving children - the suffering of my childhood still had power over me? It had come up before, but in the busyness of raising a family, I was able to shove the past away. Now, decades later, the Lord shone His light on years of abuse I'd endured from two close family members, which had left me feeling insecure, fearful, and lacking confidence in adulthood. In the weeks that followed, clinging to Jesus my Savior, every morning I'd remind myself I was no longer a victim but a survivor, as I'd say aloud, "Lord, thank You that I'm Your precious daughter, so beloved by You and so cherished by You." I began to feel a desire and growing sense of hope for Jesus's tender healing touch and wholeness. Recently at the close of a church service, my husband and I approached one of the prayer team couples up front. I told them about my traumatic childhood abuse. Their Spirit-led prayers strengthened my newfound hope; I verbally forgave my abusers and asked Jesus to restore me. I know this journey to complete emotional healing is a process, but thanks to Jesus, I am a survivor. I trust He will finish it. Jennifer Anne F. Messing Faith Step: Ask a close friend to pray with you for hope, healing, and wholeness. [Mornings With Jesus 2024 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY Romans 8:38, 39 - Omnipotent Love. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230319-0946.html http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20221024-0837.html http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201116-1155.html John 3:16 - The Love of God. http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201111-1036.html Deuteronomy 7:9 - God's Love and Promises are Faithful. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2010/20100328-1139.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/ |