Romans 8:35-39 (NLT) Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”]) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Explanation: “Agape-love that is unconcerned with the self and concerned with the greatest good of another. The type of love that isn’t born only out of emotions, feeling, familiarity, or attraction, but from the will and as a choice. It is a love that requires faithfulness, commitment, and sacrifice without expecting anything in return” (Psychology Today). Agape is the type of love the Bible speaks about the most. In the Greek language, it is mentioned over 200 times in the New Testament alone. God demonstrated the ultimate example of agape love for us when He sent Jesus to die on the cross for us. In today’s passage, Paul reminds us that this amazing love God has for us is something that can’t be taken away. His love for us doesn’t change when we do something stupid, when we sin, or when we move away from Him. He chose each one of us before the world was ever formed. As a result, when we grasp His love for us while we are here on earth, we get a preview of the victory we will celebrate in heaven. Paul also wants us to know that suffering and trials, and sometimes even death, are part of the experience here on earth. He reminds us that struggles in the name of Christ are nothing new when he quotes Psalm 44:22 in verse 36 above. However, despite these struggles, because of God’s great love for us, we are the greatest of overcomers! Paul tells us that no matter what, God will turn everything ultimately to good, as we get the privilege of spending eternity with Him in heaven. Application: 1. Can you think of a time when you experienced a struggle, and afterward you could see how God worked it out for good? 2. Are you currently experiencing a struggle? Reflect on this passage. Grasp the understanding that God’s love for you is so great that no matter what the outcome, He loves you, and you will reap the ultimate reward for your faithfulness by spending eternity with Him. 3. What about today’s scripture stands out to you? Prayer Starter: Ask God to remind you of His great love for all of us. If you are struggling or facing a trial, ask Him to help you see that at the end, He is all that matters. Ask for help navigating your situation, for Him to show you reminders of how everything will work out according to His purpose, and He will never allow you to be separated from His agape love. Devo Plus: To read more examples of how agape is mentioned in the Bible, read the book of 1 John. In those chapters, you will see that God calls us to put agape into action by loving others and obeying Him.
Comentarios