Nor…
Romans 8:38-39 ESV says, “For I am sure 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.”
How good is God’s love toward you? Romans 8 makes the case plain—so good, you can’t find an excuse not to receive it. Paul approaches the topic of God’s love from such a wide range of possible scenarios that it’s hard to imagine anything outside of the bounds of God’s love for you. And just in case the previous list was insufficient, Paul throws in, “nor anything else in all creation.”
I love the poetic language of this chapter, culminating in this beautiful promise of assurance, but sometimes the grandeur of the scripture’s tone makes us think that our simple situations are the exception. Perhaps as an exercise of faith, you could add to Paul’s list by bringing in the circumstances of your life. “Nor height nor depth, nor the fears I have about my financial future, nor the anxiety I have about upcoming tests, nor the sickness I am dealing with….” I’m not saying Roman’s 8 makes an incomplete point, but getting specific helps us set our hearts on the truth of this chapter.
As you think about how the promise of Romans 8 relates to your life, what are you hesitant to include? Anything you are unwilling to add to Paul’s list is a stronghold of fear, pride, or bondage. Is it relationships? Finances? Work? Dreams? Addition? Sickness? All of these things are valid challenges and trials of life, but none of them have the power to overcome the love of God for you. None can break our connection to God’s love in our hearts.
We could write an endless list of reasons why it is hard to accept God’s love. Even so, whatever struggle you or I have, someone else will be facing an even greater challenge. It’s a pointless loop to try and draw the line.
We discover that the lack of access to God’s love is no shortage on God’s part but a lack of faith and surrender on ours. If we base the goodness of God on our situation, we have a tough time abiding in the love of God. From that perspective, everything challenging our faith justifies being partially surrendered to God. Any difficulty merits a backup plan in case this God thing turns out to be a farce.
When we only have eyes for the hindrances to knowing God, and not eyes for the invitation into God’s love, we become evermore blind to how strong his promises are in our lives. It is no good to follow God and be looking away for other possible paths to satisfaction, security, and purpose. This is an image of an adulterous heart toward God, something the Old Testament continually addresses.
So how do we respond? We don’t need to feel condemned for having difficulties in knowing and loving God. The whole point of Romans 8 is that we do not live under condemnation, yet we so easily live as if we do. In theory, we can be convinced that this promise is true for us and still be unsure of how this plays out in reality. Surrendering to God is not about mustering up the capacity to give over everything all at once for all of your life. It looks more like an incremental and continual handing over of every moment and experience of our lives.
It can start today by receiving this promise and laying down any barrier to God’s love. Start with what you can see, and make a move into a lifestyle of surrender. Allow the assurance of this promise to provoke your heart to long for God’s love. Let the desirableness of God’s abiding presence and the miracle of freedom in Christ stir you to faith that nothing can separate you from his love.
