Devotions on Emotions (and Scripture) by the First Pres Pastors

A reflection on Romans 8

 ²⁸ We know that all things work together for good^[u] for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family.^[v] 30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

 ³¹ What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? ³² He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? ³³ Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.^[w] 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written,

 “For your sake we are being killed all day long;
we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.”

 ³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor 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.

In the opening session of a church retreat or large gathering I have often put together a little human scavenger hunt to serve as a mixer. One question I often include says “Find someone who is sure they are going to heaven.” Strangely, many people, even in church groups, are hesitant to sign their names next to that statemen, not because they don’t hope and pray to go to heaven, they just feel that they aren’t good enough.

I sign my name to that every time I can. I’m not boasting. I am simply confident in how much God loves all of us, and how in Christ Jesus nothing will ever separate us from God.

How can I be so confident? I trust what the Bible says:

If God is for us, who is against us?  

Who will separate us from the love of Christ?

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor 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.

I’ll hang my hat, and my hopes of heaven o that!

Prayer

I can’t thank you enough, Wonderful God, for sending Jesus Christ to save me. Now, let me love each day in loving response to how much you have already loved me in and through my Lord and Savior Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.