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The Greatest Gift: Christ’s Love For Us

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By: Edward Cortez

 

Romans chapter 8 is an all-time Bible chapter favorite of many believers in the Lord. The book of Romans itself would rank high on the Christians’ favorite book of the Bible. Time Keller said, The book of Romans is the most sustained explanation of the heart of the gospel, and the most thrilling exploration of how that gospel goes to work in our hearts.” At the heart of the book of Romans comes the most powerful chapter a person can come across with, chapter eight, which is packed with incredible biblical truths that will nourish, sustain, inspire, and assure a person in the Lord.

It begins on a very positive and vibrant declaration: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…” (verse 1). The operative words here are “those who are in Christ Jesus.” Those who have put their faith in Jesus for their salvation is no longer condemned! There is absolute freedom in obeying the Spirit of God who alone can guarantee us the victorious and overcoming life. 19 times the Holy Spirit is mentioned in this chapter. He indwells every believer and empowers us to obey Christ and also enables us to be more like Christ. Verse 11 states, “…the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you.” And there is more. He intercedes for us in the same way that Christ also intercedes for us! That’s dual intercession! See verses 26 and 34.

Romans 8:28 is a very familiar verse which we often quote. It tells us that “we know all things work together for good to those who love God…and called according to His purpose.” God is producing good out of the bad and even good things that we experience in life. It DOES NOT SAY that tragedies are good, but that God is working them out for our good in order that we may be conformed to the image of His Son according to the next verse, verse 29.

Romans 8:37 answers the question posed by the previous verse in verse 35, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” Then came Paul’s thunderous reply inspired by the Spirit of God, “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” In other words, Paul stated that even though we suffer in this life, since we are not exempt from the trials of this world, we are completely and eternally secure in the love of God. Warren Wiersbe correctly said that we are “superconquerors” through Jesus Christ who gives us victory and more victory!

And then the Apostle Paul doubles down on this incredible and amazing love of God in verses 38 and 39 that cause us to be victorious, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present or things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created things, shall be to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Paul made sure that he covered all conceivable infi rmities, calamities, and destruction that we face in this present life even “things to come!” In all things we are more than conquerors through JESUS who loves us!

Yes, we may go through a worldwide pandemic, economic downturn, the loss of a loved one, and even death which Jesus has already defeated, disarmed, and demolished at the cross 2,000 years ago, but nothing, absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord! That’s why Paul can say confi dently, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (verse 18).

Pastor Judah Smith said, “The extraordinary, expensive, relentless, unconditional love of God is the most formidable, powerful force in the universe.” And I agree wholeheartedly, 100%. So take heart, child of God, you are forever and eternally secure in the God’s love through Christ! His love is the greatest gift we can ever receive in this season of giving. And it’s free – all paid for at the cross of Calvary. Let’s put our faith in Jesus and believe in Him for our eternal salvation. Merry Christmas!

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