Who Will Separate Us From the Love of Christ?
Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? 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? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death no life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.1
In Romans 8, Paul makes a persuasive argument for believing in eternal security by framing these questions:
Who will accuse those who God has chosen? No one can. Satan tries, but God has justified us through Christ and declared that we are not guilty. If you fall into a period of lack of faith or sin, you may lose your reward, but you cannot lose your eternity in heaven with God (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? There are many experiences that test our faith, but we are saved by God's grace. The Lord understands our trials and doubts, and He is not interested in pushing us aside when we stumble. God always knew we would make thousands of mistakes after receiving Christ, but He saved us anyway.
Some Christians worry that accepting the idea of eternal security will motivate people to live in sin because they have nothing to lose. But If we think about the wonder and majesty of our Heavenly Father, doesn't it make more sense for us to be motivated to obey Him for all He is and what He has done for us? The more we know about Christ and His love for us, the more we will love Him and desire to please Him.
Suggested Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that nothing and no one can separate me from Your love, not even myself. Thank You that You chose me to enjoy eternity by Your side. Thank You that even though You knew I was going to make thousands of mistakes after accepting Jesus into my heart, You saved me from spending an eternity without You. Lord Your unconditional love is a mystery to my limited mind. I can only raise my hands to heaven and say THANK YOU! In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.
1. Romans 8:32-39 (NLT).
Today's Encounter was written by: Rosina N.
All articles on this website are written by
Richard (Dick) Innes unless otherwise stated.