“Who Shall Separate us from the Love of Christ?”
Introduction. Romans
8:31-39 Chapter eight is the climax of the book of Romans. Paul has presented
the problem of sin, followed by the solution God has set forth in the gospel.
Chapter eight is the crescendo of Paul’s argument that Christ offers to man
what nothing else can. The key point of this text is encapsulated in the
question—“who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” This morning let’s
consider Paul’s answer.
I.
Things That Cannot Separate Us.
A. No
Circumstance. This text is a great testament to the importance of trust. Many
things might happen to us that lead us to feel as if God doesn’t love us. Paul
tells us differently.
1. Tribulation
(8:35a). Even if we should face struggles, trials, or affliction it doesn’t
mean that God doesn’t love me!
2. Distress
(8:35b). If I face anguish, troubles, and agony it doesn’t mean that God
doesn’t love me!
3. Persecution
(8:35c). If I face abuse, ridicule, or harassment it doesn’t mean that God
doesn’t love me!
4. Famine
(8:35d). If I should have no food, no provisions, or even face the loss of a job,
it doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love me!
5. Nakedness
(8:35e). Even if I should have all earthly possessions taken away, it doesn’t
mean that God doesn’t love me!
6. Peril
(8:35f). Even if I am exposed to the most severe risks, it doesn’t mean that
God doesn’t love me!
7. Sword
(8:35g). Even if I am killed it doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love me!
a.
The love of God is not something that can be quantified, measured, and
determined by life circumstances.
b.
This is a major false assumption among Christians and non-Christians. We
assume that God’s love is seen the ease of life’s circumstances.
c.
Paul infers to us that instead, we must look beyond this life to see the
true scope of God’s love for us.
B. No
Condition of Life.
1. Neither
death nor life (8:38a).
a.
“It is no longer I who live” (Gal. 2:20).
b.
“To die is gain” (Phil. 1:21-24).
C. No
other Beings or Powers.
1. Neither
angels nor principles, nor powers (8:38b). This may refer to either angelic or
earthly rulers.
a.
“Who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and
authorities and powers having been made subject to Him” (1 Pet 3:22).
b.
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But
rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt.
10:28).
D. Nothing in
time.
1. Neither
things present nor things to come (8:38c).
a.
What’s going on now in life cannot put a barrier between God and his
love for us (e.g. economic problems, political changes, terrorism and unrest).
b.
What happens in the future cannot put a barrier between God and his love
for us (e.g. if things get worse, if things get harder, more difficult, etc.).
E. Nothing
in space.
1. Neither
height nor depth (8:39a).
a.
“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your
presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell,
behold, You are there” (Psa 139:7-8).
F. Nothing
in all creation.
1. No
other created being (8:39b).
a.
Note that it speaks of any “other.” This could refer to the type of
things previously listed, or it could speak of things “other” than ourselves.
b. Throughout
this section his point has to do with things outside of ourselves.
II.
What Shall Separate Us...
A. ...From
Becoming a Christian?
1. Friends.
a.
“Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do
not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you’” (2 Cor. 6:17).
2. Family.
a.
“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he
who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not
take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me” (Matt. 10:37-38).
3. Finances
(Luke 12:15-21).
4. Fear
(1 Cor. 10:13).
5. The Future
(James 4:13-14).
B. ...From
Remaining Faithful?
1. The
choices of others? Paul addresses the issue in 1 Corinthians 7 of the believer
with an unbelieving mate. What if they do not keep their covenant with you? You
must stay faithful to God—the believer is not “under bondage” to the unfaithful
(1 Cor 7:15).
a.
This is not a second exception to divorce—it is teaching that a believer
is not prevented from being right with the Lord by the sinful choices of
another.
2. Disappointments
in life.
a.
“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured
out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Rom 5:5).
3. The
loss of a loved one.
a.
“Then another of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, let me first go and
bury my father.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Follow Me, and let the dead bury their
own dead’” (Mat 8:21-22).
4. Responsibilities
in life.
a.
“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with
carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you
unexpectedly” (Luke 21:34).
5. The
Future (Rev. 2:10).