The Love of God 5 – Secure

The aim of this devotional is to reflect on the temporal and eternal security we find in the love God has for us.

Scripture

Romans 8:28-39

31  What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32  He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

33  Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34  Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died–more than that, who was raised–who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36  As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded 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 sure 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.

Observations

Context: During Nero’s reign (when this letter was written), Emperor veneration was again instilled.  Christians refused to worship him, and because of their in growth numbers and influence the church posed a threat to the Romans Empire.  Paul is writing to the Roman church in the midst of mounting persecution, reassuring them of the eternal love of God even as they are about to suffer for a short while. 

1. What is the main theme of this Text? [hint: verse 35a]
2. Considering the context, what “charge against God’s elect” is Paul referring to? [verse 33]
3. Frequently the phrases “if God is for us who can be against us” and “in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him who loved us” are used to assure believers that God is bigger than our crisis, and that the hardship will soon be over.
   1. Reading the Text again, what does this Text teach us about God and hardship?
   2. To what does the phrase “all these things” (verse 37) refer? [hint: read the previous two verses]
   3. If Paul wrote “over all these thing we are more than conquerors…” what would that mean?
   4. Paul wrote “in all these things we are more than conquerors…” – what does that mean?
   5. How are we “more than conquerors?” [hint: read the following two verses]
4. Why could Paul comfort the church that even in death they are conquerors “through Christ Jesus”? [verse 34]
   1. In this Text, what is Jesus pictured as doing?
5. In summary, what comforting assurance does Paul give the persecuted church in Rome?

Personal reflection and prayer

1. Considering this Text, what would you say to a friend who is diagnosed with terminal cancer and feels that God has deserted her?
2. What is the best thing to pray for Christians suffering persecution?
3. Are you going through hardship? Reflect prayerfully on verses 38-39 and pray that you may know this love of God!
4. Do you have a friend going through hardship? Pray that they may know this security in the love of God, and encourage them today!