UNFAILING, EVERLASTING LOVE

Who shall separate us from the love^G26 of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved^G25 us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love^G26 of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:35-39

We are only able to love as God commands us to because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). We will never lose the power to love others because we can never be separated from God’s love. His love is continually made known to us by His Holy Spirit who inhabits us. The list of beings, things, and abstract concepts that CANNOT separate us from the love of God is comprehensive: trouble, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or sword. Then Paul continues to describe what is unable to put a gap between us and God’s love with a series or merisms—using two contrasting parts to represent the whole including everything in between the two—life/death, angels/principalities, present/future, height/depth. To make sure we understand that NOTHING can separate us from God’s love, Paul adds, “nor any powers” and “nor anything else in all creation.” Whew! We are completely secure and enveloped in God’s incomparable, unconditional, unmerited love. Nothing we can imagine can cause God to stop loving us, not even ourselves! Once we have trusted Jesus and surrendered our lives to Him, we are held tightly by God’s grace.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.

John 10:28-29

God loves you and will never stop loving you. Therefore, the Holy Spirit will continue to give you the ability to love others. Are you resting peacefully in God’s unfailing, everlasting love? Love is first in the list of the Fruit of the Spirit because all the other Christlike traits stem from the love God has placed in our hearts. Intentionally plan to share that love with others this week. Say or write an encouraging word to someone. Perform a chore for someone who is unable to do it themselves. Listen to a friend who is struggling. Hug your family and remind them God loves them no matter what.

Father, we are completely secure in Your love. Since You are the Source of love, we can love others. Help us to demonstrate Your love to others consistently.