Dear Church of the Open Bible,
We survived the eclipse! The viewing wasn’t as incredible for us as it was for others more southeast of us. But maybe you’re more concerned about surviving the increasing cost of living. Prices and taxes keep rising and it doesn’t seem like there is a break. Or maybe you’re more concerned about surviving the wars and rumors of wars that seem to ever swirl in our news feeds these days? Hatred, threats, and even horrific attacks make us wonder what’s coming next and when. These are just a few of the things that can cause us to question our security and the security of those who come after us.
That is why the promises at the end of Romans 8 are so important. After reading about the reality of life in a broken world, going from groaning to glory, Paul ends with powerful encouragement. Listen to his list of possible things that can separate us from the love of Christ.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? - Romans 8:35
That’s quite the list of concerns. Each of these very easily could defeat us. But for those united with Christ, none of these are effective and lasting. None of them can separate us from Him and God’s love for us through Him. Praise God!
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 8:37–39