Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love

The closing passage of Romans 8 contains some of the best news you and I will ever hear: Nothing can separate us from God’s love. Nothing! This is a solid rock upon which to build our lives. It will keep us steady in tumultuous times. It will reassure us when we are fearful. It will refresh us when we are weary.

Paul recognizes that we may be tempted to think God no longer loves us when we face difficult times. In verse 35 he asks, “Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?” But the answer is “No.” Though we suffer in this life (and Romans 8 has already dealt honestly with this fact) that does not mean God doesn’t love us.

How can we be certain of God’s love for us when we’re tempted to doubt it? The last phrase of Romans 8 provides the answer. God’s love “is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (v. 39). As we learned earlier in Romans, “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Rom. 5:8). If ever we worry that God doesn’t love us, we return to the cross. There we see the love of God poured out, a love not just for humankind in general, but for us in particular.

With assurance of God’s love for us, we are empowered to live boldly, sharing that love with others. We’re inspired to take risks for the sake of God’s kingdom, knowing that whether we succeed or fail, God’s love for us is the constant of our lives.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Are there times when you have questioned God’s love for you? What helps you to believe, really believe, that God loves you?

PRAYER: Gracious Heavenly Father, I’ve read this passage from Romans probably five hundred times. I’ve preached it. I’ve sung it. I know it almost by heart. Yet when I consider the truth of these familiar verses, I am once again blown away by your love for me. What an amazing gift you have given me in your love!

Thank you, dear Father, that your love isn’t just some abstract concept or inner feeling. Your love took the very tangible form of your Son, who demonstrated your love by dying on the cross. In that act of merciful sacrifice, I can see your love. I’m reminded of the words from the old hymn:

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul!

Hallelujah! Amen.