In the Love of God

God's word is rich with instruction that open our understanding to truth we read but never saw before.  Like the Jewish people who had eyes but could not see or ears that could hear because they lacked faith in Jesus Christ, this can also describe genuine believers at countless times in our earthly pilgrimage.  We have read many passages of scripture yet gleaned little, and by God's grace He enables us to receive more as we consider that same passages later on.

This happened for me when I read Romans 8:37-39 recently:  "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Paul urged the Romans to recognise all the greatest trials and difficulties of life can be triumphantly navigated because Jesus has overcome.  Because Jesus has conquered sin, Satan, abolished death and made a new and living way through the Gospel, nothing can separate us from the love of God.  We have been justified, free of condemnation, Jesus intercedes on our behalf and even death is powerless to prevent us from receiving and walking in God's love.

Paul was persuaded that neither death nor life can separate us from the love of God in Christ.  I am greatly encouraged that "life" is included here.  Some people express concern about the "busyness of life" as if it is an insurmountable force that is nigh impossible to reckon with, feeling helpless necessary work or activities can distract and deter us from our God-given purposes and spiritual fruitfulness.  While this is entirely possible if we depart from active reliance upon God, life on earth and the demands it places upon us need not deter us at all from a fulfilling, satisfying, abundant life with Jesus.  In mundane chores, labours, careers, sport and service, we can experience and share the love of Jesus.  Life nor present thing are able to separate us from the love of God, and thus we are more than conquerors through Jesus who loves us.

Having been conquered by the love of Jesus, our fears and cares can be confessed and forsaken as faithless; since Jesus demonstrated His love for us on Calvary we are more than conquerors.  When we have trials and troubles we would be quite pleased to settle for being a conqueror, to walk victorious without defeats.  Because we are more than conquerors, the redeemed children of the almighty God, we are given the privilege to learn to walk in the victory Jesus provides ourselves.  Our failures continue to affirm our need for Jesus is greater than we ever imagined, and the resurrection of Jesus persuades us of the victory guaranteed by Jesus from every foe--even death.  How gracious and good God is to us, for nothing shall be able to separate us from His love.