Through the Bible - 1 Kings 2-3, Luke 23:1-25
Good morning,
Over the past few days we've been in some great chapters of the Bible, important chapters about faith and faithfulness. I can hardly leave the subject without turning to Romans 8. The reminders from Hebrews 11 and Genesis 22 lead us there.
In Romans 8:35 Paul poses a question that all of us should consider:Rom 8:35 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?
Sometimes in the midst of trouble or calamity we may feel for a time that we have been separated from Christ and His love. Paul's words challenge us to realize that He is there with us "in all these things", in the midst of them.
Rom 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. NKJV
In Christ, these things will not defeat us, we can be conquerors, more than conquerors through Christ. Here's how the NLT puts answers Paul's question "can anything ever separate us from the love of Christ" - "No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us."V.37
One of the things that He gives us in all of these circumstances is the grace to stand.
Charles Spurgeon wrote:
He freely gives grace in all its forms, to all His people:
saving grace,
comforting grace,
preserving grace,
sanctifying grace,
directing grace,
instructing grace,
assisting grace!
He gives grace . . .
abundantly,
seasonably,
constantly,
readily,
sovereignly!
He doubly enhances the value of His grace--by the manner of its bestowal. He generously pours grace into their souls without ceasing--and He always will do so, whatever may occur. Sickness may befall--but the Lord will give grace. Poverty may come to us--but grace will surely be afforded. Death must come--but grace will light a candle at the darkest hour. Reader, how blessed it is as years roll along, to enjoy such an unfading promise as this, "The Lord will give grace!"
saving grace,
comforting grace,
preserving grace,
sanctifying grace,
directing grace,
instructing grace,
assisting grace!
He gives grace . . .
abundantly,
seasonably,
constantly,
readily,
sovereignly!
He doubly enhances the value of His grace--by the manner of its bestowal. He generously pours grace into their souls without ceasing--and He always will do so, whatever may occur. Sickness may befall--but the Lord will give grace. Poverty may come to us--but grace will surely be afforded. Death must come--but grace will light a candle at the darkest hour. Reader, how blessed it is as years roll along, to enjoy such an unfading promise as this, "The Lord will give grace!"
I'm reminded of the Michael English song "In Christ Alone", here is the first stanza:
In Christ alone will I glory
Though I could pride myself
In battles won
For I've been blessed beyond measure
And by His strength alone, I overcome
Oh, I could stop and count successes
Like diamonds in my hands
But these trophies could not equal
To the grace, by which I stand
Though I could pride myself
In battles won
For I've been blessed beyond measure
And by His strength alone, I overcome
Oh, I could stop and count successes
Like diamonds in my hands
But these trophies could not equal
To the grace, by which I stand
Take a few minutes and read through the passage. Consider the "all things" in verses 28, 31 and 37. What are the "all things" in your life?
In Christ,
Mike
Rom 8:28-9:1
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
God's Everlasting Love
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:
"For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. NKJV
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