The power of eternal love

Some of our friends are saying that world news is getting so bad that they are not watching it any longer. It is too depressing. One of them is going on a trip soon and is concerned about being in airports and on airplanes, particularly in her destinations because they have been hot spots for terrorists.

I suggested that the worst-case scenario is that God would take her home. Her face brightened. She laughed, but she said, “I’m not ready to go yet!” Even though she is spiritual ready because she believes in Jesus, she has a long to-do list and would rather die in bed.

We also talked about how many Christians become upset over sickness, accidents, and other life-threatening events, and how we should not — because we know Jesus. Isn’t seeing His face a greater priority than personal comfort? I realize this is easy to say, but much more difficult to live out. Fear of dying is common, even to those who do not fear death. We want to live a long life and be comfortable.

At the same time, I am convinced that knowing I’m in the will of God is better having my way about anything else. Knowing He loves me is even better than knowing I am totally safe. This explains why this passage of Scripture is a tremendous blessing every time I read it. God uses it to tell me that He loves me, that He uses all the events of life to conform me into the image of His Son, and that nothing can separate me from those wonderful truths.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died — more than that, who was raised — who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:28–39)

God loves me in sickness and health, in comfort and in pain. He loves me enough to accept me as I am, but not leave me that way, always working to help me overcome sin. He will give me all I need because I am His child. Christ died for all my sin. Anyone who accuses me has no grounds because He has justified me.

Nothing can separate me from that love, including trouble, distress, persecution, famine, being without clothes or any other necessities, being in danger, or having threats made to my life. I am safe in His love now, and in the future, against all powers and anything else that exists. Because of this, there is nothing to fear. Life might hand me comforts or discomforts, but it cannot rob me of His love.

^^^^^^^^

Jesus, all I can say is that I love You because You first loved me.