Day 230.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can bet 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.t 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)
Romans 8 is so packed with good stuff. Paul explains how the Christian lives according to the spirit rather than the flesh, which only Christians have. It is the first part of our redemption which will one day be complete. That day is longed for by us, yes, but also all of creation which suffers under man’s sinful state. And here is the great thing. God is in complete control over it. Even when suffering happens, and it will, God is working it out for out good. Why? Because God loves us! And his love is not based on our obedience or even our faith. Hs love came long before we had any faith. In fact, our faith is a result of his love which begins with our predestination. Therefore, nothing can ever separate us from his love. What a great truth!
Why is it so important that God love you in a way that is not based on your faithfulness to him?
McCheyne’s Bible Reading Plan: 1 Sa 10, Ro 8, Jer 47, Lk 15
