Romans__8

Scripture

Romans 8:36-39

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 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.

 

Observation

As Paul continues writing to the Romans, he seeks the opportunity to proclaim the Good News to them. Additionally, he extends the idea that freedom is granted to those who are in Christ, and that they are no longer slaves to their past selves. Instead, they are heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven, and nothing can separate them from the great love of God.

 

Understanding

Freedom is FREE!

Ever since we read this passage during the fast I have gone back to it several times. Each time I read it I find myself getting so excited over the words that Paul so beautifully writes. He paints a wonderful picture at the end of this chapter too. The idea that once I am adopted into the sonship nothing can separate me from it. There’s one dilemma I find in this passage though. Somewhere along the way we are in this cyclical relationship of bondage and freedom. A relationship that we have created and placed on ourselves. Like Paul says in this passage you are free! However, actually grasping that core belief and living in it is a lot different than just saying it.

Here’s the main point I want to sit on before practically giving ways to living in freedom: freedom is paid for and there’s no “return policy.” Once it is granted and atoned for there is no reason to feel like you have to give it back or it has to be re-earned after you mess up (because let’s be real, we all mess up along the way). But the Bible says that:

God raised us up with Christ and seated with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus

Ephesians 2:6

Meaning, we are seated at the right hand of the Father, and therefore nothing can come between us and His love. That is why Paul and we can be so sure that nothing is too hard for God’s love to overcome, and although we may be persecuted by this world God offers us part of His. Paul calls us “more than conquerors.” We don’t just come and conquer, but we are granted immeasurably more.

 

Life Application

How exactly do we walk in this amazing freedom?

1. We have to know who are in Christ. This is only possible by reading His Word daily and being in constant communication with the one who made us.
2. We must recognize that God is the one who is able, and we are simply to act in obedience with our own willingness. Sure, freedom is free and the most liberating feeling, but it doesn’t make you the ultimate earthly person. Instead this freedom is meant to empower you to carry out God’s will.
3. Lastly, we must share this freedom with others. God doesn’t just want us to hoard all this freedom and love to ourselves. He longs for others to become “more than conquerors” as well.

When life seems difficult most of the time that means you are headed in God’s direction. Resistance means the enemy is scared, but you can rest assured that nothing can separate you from the love of Jesus. It’s free, paid for, and ready to be consumed by us.

-Allison Khan