Romans 8 - 11.21.23

Scripture:  Romans 8:38 – 39: For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Observation:  This scripture uses every reference possible to explain the depth of God’s love for us. Paul writes to assure us and encourage us that none of these things can separate us from God’s love:

·        Death or life

·        Angels or demons

·        The present or future

·        Powers on this earth

·        Height or depth (anything above or below the earth)

·        Nothing in creation

Application:  God’s love is immeasurable! There’s nothing you can do to change his love for you. You can’t increase or decrease his love for you. Maybe your sin will change God’s love for you? That’s not possible! Romans 8:8  says “But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” What great love God has for us!

When I think about God’s love for me, in this verse and others, I can’t help but love him even more. I can also love others - even those that might be hard to love in the moment - because of God’s love in me. In 1 Peter 4:8, Peter writes to encourage us by saying “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.”  His love, the foundation of our faith, can uplift, encourage, and empower us to be more like Christ in our day-to-day life.

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for your love. Thank you for loving us so much that you sent your son to die on the cross for our sins.  I’m so thankful there is nothing that can separate us from your love. Help me to show your love to others around me. I want to be a light and a reflection of your deep love for others. In Jesus name!

- Mary Oberg