Security is a critical element in life. Unfortunately, it’s also very elusive. Recent world events in Middle
East and Africa, demonstrate
how insecure our world is insecure
On a personal level, perhaps you live in insecurity because you have been the victim of a crime such as robbery or rape. Maybe your spouse has threatened divorce and you lack marital security. Your children may be struggling with physical or emotional issues that have deprived you of security. Perhaps you’ve lost your job and your retirement has plummeted leaving you feeling hopelessly insecure.
Reflecting on your life, you realize that you have little or no security in those areas where you crave it most. Fortunately, in the single area that truly matters most—your relationship with God—you can have ultimate security. The Bible declares that God offers believers His unconditional love and acceptance. Yet, you may struggle with this notion.
Romans 8:31-39 may be the most comforting and encouraging passage in the entire Bible.1These verses definitively declare that: Security leads to stability and productivity. Paul offers three hopeful assurances: (1) There is no opposition (8:31-32); (2) there is no condemnation (8:33-34); and (3) there is no separation (8:35-39).
1. There Is No Opposition (8:31-32)
In spite of who or what comes against you, God is for you. You will always be led to victory in Christ because God is for you
2. There Is No Condemnation (8:33-34)
Although you may feel condemned from time to time, God’s love for you is timeless and He will never condemn you. If God
pronounced this verdict, who can resurrect the charges of wrong doing that
would bring you before Him again? There is no double jeopardy in God’s legal
system!
As a believer, you can be sure you are eternally secure because there is no obstacle or enemy that has not already been dealt with by Christ. 3. There Is No Separation (8:35-39)
Since God set His love upon you in eternity past, He will continue to love you for all eternity. Paul makes this point inextricably clear by emphasizing the love of God or Christ three times in this section (8:35, 37, 39; cf. 5:5-8)
Conclusion:
(1) Death/life: Nothing in this life and nothing in
death can separate a believer from God’s love. The two things we fear most,
living and dying, are no threats to our eternal life. Whether we live or die,
we are in God’s love. (Philippians 1:21-
“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain”
(2) Things present/things to come: Nothing in your present
experience, or anything to
come, can separate you from God’s love in Christ.
3) Height/depth: If you were to
travel to the “highest” or “lowest” points in the universe, or anywhere in
between, you would never
arrive at a place where you could escape Christ’s love.
The only
reason that you and I will spend eternity with God is because of the person and work of Jesus Christ.
You may be
suffering, insecure and potential obstacles to such as: (8:35b) “tribulation, or distress, or
persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”
Allow God’s
assurance review to you that you’re in fellowship with Christ.Work Cited Matthew Henry whole commentary on the Bible |