Love Like no Other

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 8:31-39

 

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

(ESV)

 

In the previous posting in the study of the book of Romans, we looked at the glorious future each person accepting Jesus as their savior has (Romans 8:18-30). Not only do Christians have a glorious future but it is a future full of God’s everlasting love. During times of tribulation and struggle, we can become depressed and full of worry but with the hope of a glorious future coupled with knowing God loves us with everlasting love, we will prevail. Romans 8:31-39 is a pep talk to Roman believers struggling with persecution that still serves to encourage believers today, reminding us that God’s love is like no other.

 

Paul begins his pep talk by reminding us that if God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31). If one has any doubt about God being for us, it evaporates when one considers the extent of God’s love demonstrated by His willingness to give up his only Son to die for our sins even though we were sinners (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 8:32). No charges can be levied on God’s elect because God has completely justified those believing in His Son with the shed blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7; Romans 8:33). However, not only are we freed from all charges, and justified by the blood of Jesus, we are freed from condemnation for Jesus came to save not condemn, and now sitts at the right hand of God, making intercession for us (John 3:17; Romans 3:34).

 

The pep talk continues with Paul exhorting us that absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. This includes tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or the sword (Romans 8:35). Paul then quotes Psalm 44:22, reminding us that God’s people are regarded by the world as sheep to be slaughtered and suffer for the sake of Christ (Romans 8:36). In John 16:33, Jesus told us that in this world we will have trouble with the reminder that Jesus overcame the world. Therefore, believers in Christ can boldly join Paul in declaring that nothing can separate us from the love of God demonstrated in Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 8:37-39).

 

Paul is writing the words of Romans 8:31-39 to Roman believers who may have been suffering persecution and rejection for their faith. This persecution might also have brought with it economic consequences with people in Rome refusing to do business with them or give them employment. They may also have suffered rejection by family and friends. Viewed in this context, this passage is a pep talk offered to discouraged believers, reminding them of their identity in Christ and God’s everlasting love, love like no other.

 

When we make Jesus our Savior, we enter a relationship with Jesus who is God (John 1:1) and loves us unconditionally (Romans 5:8), providing a path to complete redemption and reconciliation with God through Jesus (John 3:16). However, we live in a corrupt and ungodly world where we will suffer persecution (John 16:33). Therefore, Romans 8:31-39 applies to our lives today, reminding us of the unconditional love of Christ. In fact, it is difficult for a believer in Christ to imagine going through the struggles of this world without a loving relationship with Jesus Christ. If you are reading this and trying to navigate the struggles of this world without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I invite you to enter a relationship with Christ by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

When in a time of struggle, Romans 8 is a great source of encouragement. This is because it reminds us of our Spirit-filled life (Romans 8:1-11), that we are heirs with Christ (Romans 8:12-17), our future glory (Romans 8:18-30), and the everlasting love of God (Romans 8:31-39). May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post and remember, God loves you.