The Great Eight - Pt 30

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. (Romans 8:31-37 ESV).

Now Paul shouts with joy! We are “more than conquerors”! No one and nothing can separate us from Christ’s love. This is the triumphant shout of everyone who is weary from the often difficult and challenging journey through this life. And it all begins with this one question: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” I’ve always imagined Paul dictating this to his scribe as if he is facing his greatest enemy. It is as if he is glaring down this great giant and quietly, confidently saying, “Give it your best shot. You are no match for the One who stands for me! Who do you think you are to threaten to separate me from the love of Christ?” No one, especially someone as small as you, can do such a thing! I hope I can remind you and awaken you again to the unshakable love that Christ has for you. Listen to the apostle carefully today as he lists some of those challenges:  Will tribulation separate us? Here he means any pressure or any trouble.  Will distress separate us? This is any difficulty or crisis.  Will persecution separate us? This is any opposition or ridicule.  Will famine separate us? This is any suffering or scarcity.  Will nakedness separate us? This is any assault or shame.  Will peril separate us? This is any danger or threat.,  Will a sword separate us? Think broader. This is any injury or violence or death. Paul answers NO! In all of this and more, we are more than conquerors! And, as if that were not enough to inspire and encourage us, he says that love is so powerfully for us, at all times, that it turns every circumstance into a triumph. “In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through him who loved us.” So my aim this morning is to remind you of this and show it to you, and pray with you that you will grasp it. And it will grasp you!