Romans 8:31-39

                                                                     Romans 8:31-39

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.

The question that is repeatedly asked about those who are saved by faith is: Is that salvation secure? Certainly, if salvation was dependent on the abilities of man, it would not be at all secure.  However, this passage makes it abundantly clear that our salvation does not depend on our works; but it depends on the work of God in Christ.  All who have been justified by faith in Christ Jesus are absolutely secure in their salvation.

 

NO ONE CAN CONDEMN US BECAUSE OF THE DEATH OF CHRIST: Since the God who created us and will judge us loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us, there is no chance of condemnation.  If God did not spare His Son when we were His enemies, how would it be possible for Him to reject us once we have placed our faith in Christ?  The death of Jesus is proof positive that our sins are taken care of an that we are secure in Christ.  There are no accusations that can be leveled against us because anything that is worthy of condemnation has been paid in Christ.  The proof of payment is His resurrection and the assurance we have is that He who took all our sin on Himself is seated at the right hand of the Father interceding for us.  Our salvation is completely secure. 

 

NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST: The world in which we live is difficult and full of challenges.  However, no amount of persecution, danger, illness, poverty, or even war can separate us from the love of God.  The difficulties caused by sin are unfortunate and represent challenges we are called to face.  The fact that we face them should never cause us to doubt the love of Christ for us.  No matter how much we suffer in this life; His love for us is unchanging.  Though the world may treat us like animals destined to be slaughtered, this has nothing to do with how Christ feels about us.  We must never doubt the love of Jesus because of the world’s hatred.  The world hated Jesus so we can expect the same treatment.  

 

NOBODY CAN REMOVE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD IN CHRIST: There are forces of evil in this world that are invisible to us.  These include demons and Satan himself.  They are at work to try to destroy us and all that love Christ.  Besides these spiritual enemies, there are the normal struggles caused by sin that cause death and the sins we commit in our lives.  However, the promise of God is that there is nobody in the physical or spiritual realm that will be able to separate us from the love of God.  Christ has made us completely secure, and the Father loves us through the Son.  Nothing from the past, present or future will ever change that.

 

APPLICATION: Accusation and condemnation are tools of Satan that he tries to use against us.  As believers, we do not need to fear either of these.  If we have trusted Christ, there are no accusations or any condemnation that can affect us.  No matter how difficult the circumstances of this life may be, Jesus loves us.  No matter how evil this world and Satan becomes, God’s love makes us secure.  We can rest and rejoice in these glorious truths. 

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