by Jordy van Gaalen

Nothing Shall Separate

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“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 these 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.”
Romans 8:35-39 New International Version

Jesus has laid the bridge. He took our place and as our Savior became a mediator. Nothing can undo the work he has accomplished.

No hardship or trial can ever separate us from God’s love. Not death nor harm nor vulnerability nor humiliation. None of it will take away God’s love for us. None of it can pull us away from the loving arms of our Father.

God’s people have faced persecution and great hardships throughout history. Through the Old Testament they battled famine and oppression and death. The same is true for the apostles and disciples. The same is true today. We are to be ready for the troubles and trials on this earth.  

The next word after “we are considered sheep to be slaughtered” is NO. No, that is not where we are stuck. That is not where we remain. That is not our identity or character. No, we are more than the trials we face. As God’s people we are more than the disaster that has encompassed us for generations.

God has made us to be conquerors. Because of the power of Christ we are more than conquerors. We will overcome adversity. The love of God will never be removed or out of reach. No matter the circumstances that we face, we will never be separated from the love of God. His love is constant. His love is all encompassing. His love and His grace and His mercy conquer all.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado