It is my birthday today, and with that, I want to give YOU a gift! As I have traveled around the world, over 100 nations so far, I have found the most significant roadblock to a powerful, fruitful relationship with the Lord is not demons or governments but an understanding of the love of God. Today I want to give you a gift of knowledge, what I have come to understand about the love of God!
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 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. Romans 8: 38, 39
I know you have read this, hundreds of times, but stay with me. I hope over the next few moments to strengthen your understanding of the way God loves you. Paul begins saying he was "persuaded" which means he has been coaxed, convinced, had his opinion radically changed, and will never allow his mind or heart to think any other way! This is how profound his understanding has become. Paul was a Pharisee among Pharisees, intelligent, wise, tremendous in the scripture and theology but coming into relationship with Christ gave him the most potent revelation, God's great love for him.
"Neither death nor life," The Holy Spirit wants us to understand that while in death we may be separated from our loved ones as believers we will never be separated from Him. The word can also be translated even if we find ourselves in mortal danger. His love is with us. He also wants to help us understand that no matter how down life may bring us, no matter what circumstances you may face, even if of your own doing, God is still with you, loves you and will never abandon you.
"Angels, nor principalities, nor powers." Angels and principalities are powerful spiritual forces. They both have authority and are potent beings that deliver messages from their perspective Kingdoms to sway mankind. Yet, even in all of their power, they do not have the ability, not authority to stand between us and the love of God. The devil seems to have great marketing in the church, people falsely believe he has certain powers and authority that he does not. The love of God is powerful much more powerful than any angelic or demonic force. Powers refers to governmental authority, man's authority. The Holy Spirit is reminding us that no spiritual force nor fleshly authority has the power to stop God's love for us or limit it in any way!
"Nor things present nor things to come." Paul is stressing that whatever your present situation may be nor what you fear may come to pass you can not and will not be separated from God's love. Think about it, the enemy strikes us with guilt, shame, feelings of inadequacy, fear and worry about our future. It is all in God's hands as our lives are in His hands. None of it can separate us from Him!
To ensure that there is absolutely nothing that can separate us from His love. The Holy Spirit reminds us through Paul "nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing." God is the only "non-created" person or thing, everything else has been created. Nothing, absolutely nothing can separate us from the Lord. No matter to what depths or heights you may go, God is there!
I know God loving us enough to send His Son should be good enough for us to understand His great love but there are times that we need to be reminded of the depths of His love for us. Today, I hope this does it for you!
No comments:
Post a Comment