Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? – Romans 8:35
When it comes to trusting your emotions, marriage and family therapist Jason Wilkinson says your feelings may be real, but they may not be true. He wrote, “Feelings can be very helpful. Feelings tell us when something is meaningful to us. They inform us of when something is wrong.” Distorted feelings come from distorted thinking, and often, distorted thinking comes from misunderstanding or not knowing the facts.
In today’s verse, Paul asks if there is anything that can separate you from Christ’s love. A believer might feel like questioning God’s presence in the midst of the dire straights Paul includes in his probing. Emotions might allow you to believe that God is busy somewhere else or not tuned in to your situation. However, your emotions are not telling you the truth. If you have spent time in Scripture, you know that there is nothing and no one that can remove His love. In fact, just a few verses later (verse 38), the apostle says, “I am sure” that nothing can. In the New International Version, he states, “I am convinced.” The truth is a fact!
God loves you. Have no doubt. “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16). You may rest in the reality that you are secure in the love of Christ. Pastor and author Steven J. Cole wrote, “God’s great love for us will be consummated in heaven, but we should experience it now as the foundation for victory as we face trials for His sake.” Release any emotions and feelings that would lead you to doubt how much God loves you, and embrace His love! Rejoice in it. Pass it on. Pray that the love of God would overwhelm government officials until they can no longer resist it.
Today’s Verse: Romans 8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Romans 8:31-39
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 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? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 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. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 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.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
