Inseparable

Throughout this chapter the Apostle Paul has been comforting the hearts and encouraging the faith of the Lord’s people. He has done this by explaining the fulness of the gospel and the work of Christ in salvation. Paul has set before the church the everlasting love of God and all that God has done for us. He has spoken of foreknowledge and predestination, justification, conversion and the glory that awaits God’s elect.

Simple yet profound

The wisdom of God and thoroughness of His salvation is a great subject and a delight to study. It is true there is a simplicity in Christ that a child may discover and wayfaring men (though fools) may learn. However, this simplicity does not lessen the wonder of God’s ways nor the far-reaching accomplishments of Christ. The benefits of God’s love for His elect have been obtained by our Saviour’s work on the cross. It is great salvation founded upon divine love and we shall marvel at God’s goodness and mercy for all eternity.

What and why

Here, Paul is telling us not only what the Lord Jesus did on the cross, but why He did it. All Christ fulfilled; the eternal decrees, the terms of the covenant, His coming, death, resurrection, ascension and intercession for us at the Father’s right hand, all these things flow from the great love wherewith He loved us. Love for His Bride has always been our Saviour’s motivation. ‘We love him, because he first loved us.’

Love that conquers

Paul is speaking of our Saviour’s love to us, not our love to Him. Christ’s love is full, free, constant and unconditional and Paul is anxious that the believers in Rome who have experienced persecution at the hands of their enemies understand the constancy of the Saviour’s care and kindness despite their trials. This is true for us, too. We may be tempted to doubt Christ’s love because of the trials and hardships we face. Paul’s message is that despite our tribulations nothing, and no one, can separate us from Christ’s love.

Love felt under fire

The apostle lists seven examples of troubles endured by the church of God throughout the ages. He lists tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril and the sword. These definitions are not limited and the boundaries are surely blurred. The principle nevertheless remains. Let our enemies employ what opposition they will, let nature inflict its toll, let trouble come, none of these trials negate the Lord’s love for us, none can hinder it, none shall separate us from it. In fact, our trials supply occasions in which the love of Christ is demonstrated.

Stronger than death

Throughout history, exemplified here by the prophets, it has been the experience of God’s people to be persecuted for their testimony and faithfulness. Paul drew on cases from the Old Testament in listing these particular afflictions. Nevertheless, God’s love endures. He will do His people good. Christ’s church, you and I, will be supplied with what we need, defended and vindicated. Our victory is assured. Even suffering unto death, should this be required, is a victory for believers. No one can separate us from the love of Christ who is stronger than death.

For time and eternity

The eternal promises of God’s covenant grace and Christ’s love experienced day by day in a believer’s life complement each another and comfort the church under persecution. Those who care little for Paul’s teaching on predestination, justification and eternal glory will never properly enjoy the dimensions of God’s love to us in Christ. Everlasting love provides for all our needs in time and for eternity. It endures and overcomes all things. It is personal, practical and precious. It will comfort us as we face the problems and hardships of everyday life.

Amen.