Skip to main content

Have I lost His love?

"Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened  with death?" (Romans 8:35)

I have read Romans 8:35 several times but today the way the NLT version worded the question after the first statement caught my attention.

"Does it mean he no longer loves us if..."

I can fill those dots after the "if" with a myriad of different scenarios. In the end, I feel like it boils down to that frustrating question--why do bad things happen? Can I go a little deeper? Why do bad things happen when you're doing your best to follow God? Have I lost His love?

There's multiple scenarios, explanations, possibilities given when pastors are asked this question. There's God's sovereignty, His ultimate will, human consequences and free will to factor in the answer. The answer is never an easy or simple one. Sometimes the answer is simply because we live in a broken world. Not that the last answer ever brings much immediate comfort. Some explanations can be seen years later when I look back at the threads that are woven together to form the tapestry that is my life.

So back to Romans 8:35... "Does it mean he no longer loves us if..."

Paul goes on to answer adamantly, "No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love." (Romans 8:37-38)

This is the same Christ who wept when His dear friend Lazarus died. Being God, He wept despite the fact that He knew He was about to call Lazarus back from the dead. So why the tears? I think He wept because it hurt Him to see His dear friends (the sisters Mary and Martha) so broken. (John 11)

Here are the facts I've gathered so far:

  • He loves me. 
  • It hurts Him to see me sad. 
  • No mistake I make stops Him from loving me. 
  • No event equates that He has stopped loving me.

Romans 8 ends with this final thought, "...nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:39b)

The love that God has for us that was ultimately displayed through the death and resurrection of His Son never ends. No matter how far I stray, how many mistakes I make, or what I endure, I can always reach out and find His love. He will always be there waiting for me. 

So does the bad mean I've lost His love? No, because if you have Jesus, you can find victory, restoration, redemption, healing, and hope "through Christ who loved us."

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I'm Not Losing Me

I had a bad day yesterday. You know the one—a handful of little aggravating circumstances that haven’t seen results yet topped with a new unforeseen unfortunate circumstance and I broke... big, hard sobs that I had to run and stifle lest I terrify my children. My bed was my place of comfort until I could cry no more. God, where are you? My heart cried. Silence I know the right answers, the right Scriptures, the right attitudes; but at that moment I was broken—my shield and sword no longer defending but laid aside next to my crumbled self. Depression’s ugly face taunted me and tempted me to let him hold my hand. This foe whom I hadn’t seen in a long time was here again waiting for me to decide whose side I was really on. God, why won’t you just miraculously fix this growing lists of challenges I’m facing? Haven’t I tithed faithfully and given offerings? Haven’t I prayed, and fought with Scriptures, and served You? Why am I in this spot?! The vision of Peter ...
1 comment
Read more

I Will Serve Out of Love

I'm a striver. I struggle with being performance oriented. Like a dancing  monkey, I might give you a good performance if you're willing to grant me a worth while reward. This fault has been the thorn in my side when it comes to not only trying to understand the unconditional love of God, but also trying to remember it. How and why would He love me when I haven't given Him a good Christian performance? Isn't He disappointed when I mess up? Isn't He embarrassed by my tantrums and disgraces? This morning as I was talking with Him and almost pleading,      "Abba, I just want to please you. I just want to do Your will..." I felt like He asked,      "Why? Are you serving me out of a fear of punishment or out of love?" Immediately I knew the answer. I had fallen back into fear of punishment. This week hasn't been my most stellar week and I was desperately trying to convince God with my words that I was going to be better. I know be...
Post a Comment
Read more

Elizabeth's years of waiting

Today as I thought about all the circumstances in life that happen that leave me wondering why or when, I was reminded about Elizabeth, John the Baptist's mother. She was very old and well past child bearing years when she finally became pregnant with baby John. In those days, a barren woman was thought of as less than. Surely there must be a reason in her life for her barrenness. Not being able to conceive and bear a child was a great emotional burden for her I am sure. I can imagine all the years she spent wondering why God... why have I not been blessed with a child? Why did I not get the blessing of being a mother? What sin is there in my life that holds this blessing back? What will happen to me when I am old? Then one day her husband has a miraculous meeting with an angel in the temple. (Read the full story in Luke chapter 1) He is struck mute because of his unbelief that his wife would bear a son. I can only imagine Elizabeth's questions after that day. God, not only ...
Post a Comment
Read more