Romans 8:35-39 [NIV] | 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, or nor heavenly rulers neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither 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.
My grandson, Charlie, recently discovered that he is now tall enough to perform a new trick. He can now reach up to the stove, turn the knobs, and watch the flame come on. Not only that, but he is also tall enough to turn the door knobs. It used to be that we could close all the doors and he would be fine. Now, he can get out the door in a flash! I’m not sure how kids can survive these days!
Raising kids sometimes requires us to give them a little discipline to keep them from doing something dangerous, like setting the house on fire or getting hit by a car. Even in that time of correction, we still love them because they are our children. They are part of our family.
So, what can separate us from the love of God? Nothing. Romans 8:38 declares that neither life nor death can separate us from the love of God. Think about that. Those are the two extremes of existence: either we are alive or we are dead. Neither of those can separate us from the love of God. Neither can angels, principalities, nor powers – the extremes of power in the universe.
The two extremes of time cannot separate us from the love of God – things present or things to come. Height and depth are the two extremes of distance and they cannot separate us from the love of God. In other words, nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God – nothing! It is incredible how secure we can be – we are loved by God! He might have to chasten and lovingly discipline us, but even in those times of discipline, He loves us, and nothing can separate us from His love.
Love in Action:
Can you recall a time God disciplined you, his child, for your won good?
