Devotional – August 27, 2020

I am convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus our Lord:  not death or life, not angels or rulers, not present things or future things, not powers or height or depth, or any other thing that is created.” 

Romans 8:38-39

The book of Romans is the single longest letter in the New Testament.  Paul is writing to “God’s beloved in Rome”.

In the first chapters of Romans, Paul has laid out a great summary of this book.  Sin separates us from God, by our works alone we cannot be in right relationship with God, God provided a way for us which is greater than the law alone.  He tells us that we are justified through faith and that God’s grace is greater than any transgression.

In verse 38 Paul uses the word “convinced”, or in some versions “persuaded”.

I can often be convinced to get a large coffee rather than a small.  I am often “persuaded” to get dessert!  Bill is the ultimate “persuader” in our family.  He always wants each person to have the biggest and the best!  Why have one dessert when two are twice as awesome?

Paul however was convinced that without any doubt, not even death was able to separate him from the love of his Living God.  Knowing this news empowered the Apostle Paul to do amazing things because he knew that his life was hidden in Christ.

We may also be convinced of God’s vast love for us!  The empowerment from the Holy Spirit is also present for us, empowerment to live a holy life.

I want to encourage you today that nothing can separate you from God’s love.  I pay that this truth will take root and live at the core of your being that you, along with the Apostle Paul can be fully persuaded.  Fully convinced.

Frederick Lehman put music to words found on a prison wall over 200 years ago.  For me, it gives a picture to me to have a small understanding of the indescribable love of God:

Could we with ink the ocean fill,

And were the sky of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill

And every man a scribe by trade,

To write the love of God above

Would drain the ocean dry

Nor could the scrolls contain the whole

Though stretched from sky to sky.

Click here to hear “The Love of God” by Mercy Me

You’re loved.  You matter to God.

Pastor Danene