Easter 5
Romans 8:83-39
07 May 2023
Forever in God’s Love
We have now come to the crown jewel of St. Paul’s letter to the Romans. By these words you know the Father’s continual goodness…
“Almighty and everlasting God, give us an increase of faith, hope, and love, that, receiving what You have promised, we may love what You have commanded; Lord Jesus; bless Thy Word, that we might trust in Thee. Amen
Nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ
These words. Are usually read at funerals. For the comfort of the bereaved. But beyond circumstances. These words. Are a comfort. At all times. Not only at the time of death. But throughout all of life.
The one thing that gives Christians a sense of security. Is the assurance of the Father’s love and care. This is your peace.
Lose the Lord’s love. And all is lost. To be separated from God’s concern is to be apart from His mercy, acceptance and of life itself.
And yet. St. Paul assures you that you are forever in God’s love and care because –
1. Christ conquered all our enemies at the cross. “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come…” V. 38
No sin. No attempt of the enemy. Can steal the loving care of Christ from your life. That makes you more than conquerors through Christ who loves you. The Christian life is not a playground. But a battleground. Some want to live on easy street. They want to kick back. And just count their blessings. That isn’t the way it works.
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." —Ephesians 6:12 But for you fights the valiant one. Whom God Himself elected!
A. Not even tribulation. Nothing in your present experience. Nor anything to come. Can separate you from the Father's love in Christ. Nothing in all of time. Present or future. Can separate you from Jesus' love.
B. According to Paul, death is the final enemy. Nothing in this life. And nothing in death can separate a believer from God's love. The two things we might fear most; dying and living, are not threats to your eternal life. Whether we live or die. We are in His love. Jesus won't ever let us go. We have security that is a matter of life and death.
C. Evil powers. They surround you. On every side. But you are in Christ. Nothing will befall you without His knowledge or consent. “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.” – Matthew 10:29 “Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns--and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:26
Transition: Dankness cannot put out darkness. Only light can do that. The light of Christ.
2. Faith in Christ gives us the victory. “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” V. 37 We are conquerors only “through [Christ] who loved us.” At another time Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Christians do conquer. But not on their own power. It is Christ who gives the strength to overcome all enemies. “…for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” – 1 John 4:4
A. Your victory in Christ came at the cross on a holy hill named Calvary. There we experience that great exchange. God’s mercy in place of and replacing your misery and sin.
B. Purchased and won for you at the bloody cross. That was the purpose of Christ’s suffering and death. That you might be His own. And live under Him in His kingdom. And serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. Just as He is risen from the dead. Lives and reigns to all eternity. “…even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:28
Transition: The problems of this world remain in the present. They are here and now. They are all around us. You do not war against flesh and blood. You do not war against people. They are merely being used. You warn them to set them free. How do we war? Through Jesus Christ. Because He already defeated those evil powers on His cross. Expressing the father’s love.
3. The Father’s love will not let you go. “…no powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” V. 39 Nothing in the universe can separate you from the love of Christ.
It is impossible. Because on the cross Christ defeated all evil powers. In Christ you conquer. What does it mean to be separated from the love of God? Sin is separation from God. To be apart from God is to be deprived of God’s light, life, and love. Separation is the worst possible experience. This, then, constitutes good news. No suffering or evil power can separate you from the love of God found in Jesus Christ.
Satan lacks the power to steal your eternal destiny. He cannot separate you from the love of Christ Nothing you face worries the Father in the least. If you are His children through faith in His Son, then you have His pledge of love and protection. Jesus said, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand." - John 10:27–29
A. You are loved. “This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” - 1 John 4:8-10
B. You are forever in Christ’s care. In baptism, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit and marked as Christ’s own forever. In baptism, the Father claims you as His own children. And tells you that you are loved. You are joined with the family of faith, the Church, the Body of Christ. As you are incorporated into the life and the mission of Christ’s work in the world.
So then live in the love and care of Christ. Continue to be emissaries of Christ and agents of mercy. Gossip the gospel as you let your light shine. Your devotion in listening to the voice of your Good Shepherd will not undermine your bliss. Be Thou faithful. For you are in Christ. The Father’s victory over evil is complete. It is your victory also.
Now to him. Who is able to do far more abundantly. Then all that we ask or think. According to the power at work within us. To him be glory in the church. And in Christ Jesus throughout all generations. Forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
Passive Words –9.3 %
Readability –85.1% %
Reading Level –3.4
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