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. Romans 8:38-39 NLT
I read a devotion that suggested substituting our own personal anxieties and concerns for the troubles listed by Paul in Romans 8. Perhaps your version would read: “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate me from God’s love. Neither old age nor loss of loved ones, neither cancer nor dementia, neither my anxiety about my wayward child nor my reservations about finances—not even the powers of terrorism and hate can separate me from God’s love. No hurricanes, earthquakes, pandemics, or wars—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate me from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Then again, maybe widowhood, heart disease, migraines, foreclosure, floods, stroke, bullies, loneliness, crime, hunger, depression, fires, addiction, divorce, hard times, debt, anger, betrayal, homelessness, violence, or tornadoes would be on your list. Regardless of how you fill in the blanks, Paul’s words remain true and bear repeating. Nothing—absolutely nothing—can separate us from God’s love as shown in Jesus Christ.
Paul wasn’t saying that Christians have no enemies or won’t suffer. In fact, his words were written to the Roman church, a church that underwent tremendous persecution and hostility for centuries. Within a few years of his letter, Nero would blame Christ’s followers for the burning of Rome and, for the next 300 years, Christians would be mercilessly persecuted. Depending on the whims of whoever was emperor, they’d be expelled from their homes, see their property confiscated, be required to perform pagan rituals, watch their churches destroyed, have worship prohibited, endure brutal persecution, or suffer monstrous methods of execution. Not even the Apostle Paul escaped—he was executed in Rome on Nero’s orders.
While we’re not about to be crucified, torn apart by dogs, beheaded, hung on poles, coated in tar, or burned alive by Nero, we all encounter threats from both physical and spiritual enemies daily. Belief in Christ doesn’t shield us from enemies; it means that those enemies, even ones as evil and powerful as Nero, can’t turn God against us. Even Satan is powerless against God! Whether visible or invisible, nothing can take us from God’s love for us; even death can’t separate us from His love! Because God loved us enough to sacrifice His only Son for our salvation, we can be sure of His unchanging and everlasting love and confident that He will provide us with everything we need in the face of the day’s challenges.
What troubles would you substitute for Paul’s in Romans 8? No matter what they are, rest assured in the promise that the battle already is over and overwhelming victory is ours through Christ our Lord!
Nothing can separate you from God’s love, absolutely nothing. God is enough for time, God is enough for eternity. God is enough! [Hannah Whitall Smith]
One of the greatest evidences of God’s love to those that love him is, to send them afflictions, with grace to bear them. [John Wesley]
Devotions of the Heart 