For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from God’s love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 WEB

In previous verses, Paul lists the many hardships, troubles, trials, and persecutions that affect the lives of God’s faithful followers. Here, he encourages Christians to understand that the worst things that can happen to us do not separate us from God’s love. God’s love is eternal. It transcends the material world. Nothing can separate us from God’s love.

We know God’s love from the sacrifice made by Jesus on the cross. Further, we know God’s love from the resurrection of Christ from the dead. With the promise of eternal life in heaven, we have nothing to fear on this earth. As Jesus taught in Matthew 10:28, “Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. WEB” Gehenna refers to hell. 

No Greater Love

Teaching that all things work for the benefit of those who serve God, Paul wrote in Romans 8:31, “What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? WEB” Jesus Christ who died for our sins also rose from the grave and ascended into heaven. He sits at the right hand of God interceding on our behalf. There is nothing between us and God’s love in Jesus Christ. 

After his resurrection, God gave Christ authority over all things. As we read in Matthew 28:18, “Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. WEB” There is no higher power than our Savior. There is no greater love than God’s love. Death, demons, fallen angels, corrupt forces of all kinds fail to overcome the eternal light of God’s love.    

Yesterday’s Devotional: The Body