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 8:38, 39).
Look back at your life. As you do, ask the Lord to show you the ways in which His love changed you. You will be amazed and awed. When you needed patience, He was patient with you. When you needed kindness, something beneficial and useful, God acted on your behalf. When the lies of the world were pressing you down, God's truth prevailed bringing freedom and peace to your soul. During all the trial and tribulations you experienced, God's protection brought you through and provided an anchor for your soul.
There has never been a time in your life when God gave up on you. His love endured.
That's the power of God's love.
Paul had a moment in his life when he looked back. Romans 8:31-39 was his conclusion concerning God's love.
"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all - how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died - more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 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."
Notice the impact of God's love on Paul. He walked through life knowing that God was for him. He lived expecting God to provide his every need. The charges levied against him by the accuser rolled off his back as he stood in the righteousness of God. He lived as a conqueror through Christ who loved him dearly. He was convinced that whatever life threw at him could not separate him from the love of God.
The same can be true for you.
Paul was given a monumental task to carry out. He lived to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ and he suffered mightily for the Lord. We admire him as a man and long to meet him one day. It is easy to think that God loved him more than He loves us. But that is not true. Paul was no different than you and me. God reached down to him in the person of Jesus Christ and saved him, just like He saved you. He poured out His love on Paul, just as He has poured out His love on you and is doing so as you read these words.
Like Paul, you can walk confidently through life knowing that you are loved by God.
(Excerpted from Love Is.)
In Him,
Bob Christopher