Day 8: Nothing can separate us
Romans 8:38-39
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
I recently listened to be preacher called John Piper recite Romans chapter 8 word for word completely off the top of his head. It was one of the most powerful things I’ve listened to for sometime, simply because it hit home to me the depth of the words written by the Apostle Paul and the emphasis intended within those words. When it comes to the climax of the chapter Paul gives us the most beautiful summary which starts with a complete conviction. He says “For I am convinced…” and then goes on to blow us away with a truly powerful picture of the depth of God’s love for humanity.
Many of us struggle to receive this because we perhaps lack that conviction. The reason we lack that conviction is because we are often guilty of making God in our minds another copy of us… maybe just a bit better.
So when it comes to scripture like this, we struggle to process it because we couldn’t possibly extend such love to any other human but… it’s 100% completely true. There is nothing in all creation that can separate us from that love. I’ve emphasised these 4 words as they are the key in these 2 verses.
1. Nothing
Paul goes on to list some things that we perhaps think may separate us, distract us, hinder us from receiving God’s love. He then wraps it up by saying, in fact nothing can separate.
2. All
Like I said earlier, because of our human default of attempting to understand God by making him like us, we then start to think; “well… surely this will separate me”. Perhaps my past will, perhaps that poor choice will, no! all means all.
3. Separate
To be separate is to be apart from. If nothing can separate us from God’s love it’s key to understand if we feel separated, then that’s our choice. Perhaps the choices you have made make you feel like God isn’t close, but in truth He is. We just need to reach out to Him and receive that love afresh.
4. Love
The depth of God’s love for us can’t actually be quantified in terms we can fully process, but Paul does his best to remind us, it covers all. Past, present, future.
I guess the last thing to note as I close is that Paul says “Love that is found in Christ Jesus”.
The only way we can receive this love, feel this love, live in the fullness of this love is through a relationship with Jesus. I pray that today you would look to grow in your relationship with Jesus and as you do, begin to receive this love afresh. Even if you struggle to say at the moment “I’m convinced” perhaps begin to just allow yourself to accept it… and then begin the journey of processing it. As you process it, you will understand just what an incredible anchor it is for your soul.
Ps Ed Winbow
Campus Pastor, Penrith