Our scripture this morning is Romans 8:35-39.
Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul asks “who can separate us from the love of Christ?” and then proceeds to name the things that can’t affect Christ’s love for us. It’s a pretty extensive list. If none of these will separate us, what can?
The sad truth is the only thing that can separate us from the love of Christ is US! We must make the decision to follow Him, asking forgiveness for the times we have failed. Jesus is always ready to offer His mercy to those who earnestly repent.
This is the covenant God has made with us, sending Jesus that all the world might be saved. We can’t earn this blessing through any human action, we are not worthy to receive it, but God’s love for us is more powerful than anything the world can throw at us. The promise we have from Him is that no “other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”.
Gracious God, we are sorry for our disobedient human actions. We ask Your forgiveness and that we may be strengthened in faith to bring Your love to everyone. Amen.
