“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?”
Romans 8:35, NLT
A simple question is asked. Our response is requested, and expected. We must settle this in our thinking in order to progress with Him. Why? Three reasons.
- There is something inside of us that militates against God, and the things of God.
- We have an active enemy that has declared war on our soul.
- The world we live in is both cruel and very hard at times.
But again, the question remains– “Who can separate us from Christ’s love?” Paul lists the seven issues that might scramble us:
- trouble
- calamity
- persecution
- hunger
- destitution
- danger
- threatened with death
Each one carries its unique twist. Some are general, others more specific. They do overlap, but each are distinct. Each are hostile and mean. I think what Paul is seeing is that believers face “magnetic suffering.” Certain things that are weirdly attracted to us, and we can’t do a thing to change them.
These seven are offered as reasons we find ourselves struggling so hard. But even in them, the apostle declares a victory. They won’t— shouldn’t—can’t really divide us from Jesus’ love.
An ant would have an easier time stopping a roaring freight train!
Paul reminds us again, in the midst our sad and savage situation, that Jesus Christ isn’t even slightly turned back. His love is ‘outrageously’ outrageous. We must keep this close to our hearts. It is truly all we have– but it is also all we need.
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Related articles
- Who Am I? And Am I A Disciple? (chrislong.org)
- {Go} Make Disciples (wateringthedesert.wordpress.com)
- Unconcerned in the Face of the Devil’s Raging. Luther. (deprofundisclamaviadtedomine.wordpress.com)
- Discipleship – Love, Trust, Christ-likeness (scottstrissel.wordpress.com)
Broken Believers 
Greatly, greatly encouraged Pastor B! Thank you and God bless you mightily!
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