The Strongest Glue

 

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. 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 8:31-39 ESV).

 

Many of you know my love for woodworking. One of the most essential “tools” in my shop is the glue. Sounds crazy, but rarely do I make anything that hasn’t had many separate pieces glued together to form the right shape and size of material for the project. I almost always turn to Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue. It is the first one-part, water cleanup wood glue ever offered that is proven waterproof. The waterproof formula passes the ANSI/HPVA Type I water-resistance specification and offers superior bond strength, longer open assembly time and lower application temperature. It is also non-toxic, solvent free and cleans up with water making it much safer to use than traditional waterproof wood glues. It provides strong initial tack, sands easily without softening and is FDA approved for indirect food contact like my cutting boards. I’ve never had a joint break with this glue. The wood may split, but not at the joint. Once glued, it stays there.

 

In the first eight chapters of the book of Romans, Paul has moved from the honest reality of sin, to our need for salvation made possible only through Jesus, to the incredible reality of being God’s child. Now Paul wants to draw a conclusion. So he says, in effect: “If you understand these things about God—that he wants you, that he has done everything needed to save you, and that he gives you his Spirit so that you can be part of his family in Christ—then ask yourself, ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’”

 

While sin does separate us from God, God’s goal, from the time sin first occurred, is to remove what separates us. And when, through Jesus’ sacrifice, he makes us his very children, do you think God will let anything separate us from his love? “Neither death nor life . . . nor any powers”—no “trouble or hardship” of any kind can separate us from God’s incredible love! This is the story of God. And it makes all the difference!