Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:35 Nero was the emperor in Rome when Paul wrote these words, but he hadn’t started his infamous rampage, such as sending Christians covered in meat to the arenas to be devoured by wild beasts. The apostle assures…
Sorrow Can’t Sever You From Christ
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:35 The Greek word for “distress” used here conveys the idea of a narrow space from which there is no escape. The original readers were about to face opposition from both the religious and political establishments (the…
Suffering Will Not Separate you From Jesus
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:35 The word Paul used for “tribulation” refers to the type of adversity common to both believers and unbelievers. Believers suffer occasionally, according to the psalmist: Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers…
You Have God’s Assurance
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” Romans 8:35-36 Genuine believers do sin and…
A Christ-Filled Soul
“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me?” Psalm 42:5. Fellow believer: Jesus is not only your advocate; He is the lover of your soul, the friend who sticks closer than a brother. He is the shepherd who leads you besides quiet waters; your shield and the…
Our Defense Attorney Rests His Case
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.... Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Romans 8:1 and 34 These verses outline the four-fold argument for the acquittal of the believer in the heavenly tribunal. 1.…
You Have God’s Appreciation
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Romans 8:32 In order to redeem believers, God the Father sacrificed God the Son. The Jews conspired to have Jesus crucified and the Romans performed the deed, but they only…
You Have God’s Acceptance
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? Romans 8:31 Because the devil accuses the brethren (Revelation 12:10), he may dig up past sins to condemn believers. Satan wants Christians to doubt their salvation, but this diabolical prosecution affronts God primarily (if someone accuses your children, that person insults you). But…
You Have God’s Advocacy
Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Romans 8:33-34 Because no authority rises higher than God’s, His verdict stands unchallenged and unchangeable. His justice…
Enabling Grace
The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior.” Judges 6:12 The angelic pleasantry surprised Gideon. His lack of courage did not warrant such an epithet at the time of this greeting. But God saw this man for what he would become, not his present reality. The biblical hero…
