The Great Eight - Pt 39

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 8:38-39 ESV).

We have almost found the end of “the Great Eight.” Today our reading takes us to the last two verses. It will take us a few more days to explore sufficiently, but it is well worth the time. Knowing that nothing can rip our eternal life from us is the ultimate assurance and encouragement that allows us to face any circumstance of life. Our reading lists ten things that cannot separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Eight of them are in pairs. I have often reminded others that the point of this whole passage is our security. God wants his people to experience deep, unshakeable confidence that they are secure in his love. And the reason he must stress it is because in real life we appear and often feel so insecure. There are times when that insecurity comes at the painful circumstances we are called to endure. There are other times when erroneous teaching prompts us to believe that there is still something we must do to complete our redemption. That theology focuses our attention on our ability to hang on to Jesus instead of His unshakeable power to hold on to us. I won’t deal further with the theology that doubts the absolute assurance of our salvation. However, I will help you look at the things that will happen that make you feel that you are separated from the love of God. After all, the apostle thought enough of the importance of this truth to go into such detail as to make it impossible to miss. I should do no less. Before we get to the “things” Paul lists, we must remember that these verses are describing the security of "God’s elect" (Romans 8:33), not the security of everybody. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, he has chosen you, you are his, you belong to him. Further Paul says that you love him and are called according to his purpose (v. 28). This is his purpose; this everlasting security. He also says that you are foreknown, that is, recognized with favor, loved before time; you are predestined to be like Christ, and you are called from death to life, and you are justified once for all, counted righteous in Christ, and you are glorified (v. 29). These promises of inseparability are God’s declaration that he will save his people and nothing can destroy them. You have these promises if you will have Jesus as your Lord and Savior. If there is any doubt in your mind about this position, simply pray, “Dear Jesus, forgive me. Make me yours.” That prayer is never rejected and is always answered with a resounding “YES”! Now, nothing can separate you from His love!