“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing”

— John 15:4-5

This is a weekly reflection on the previous week’s sermon text. Each week there will be a devotional related to the scripture for the week, along with questions for reflection/discussion, as well as prayer. Feel free to make this a part of your individual spiritual growth throughout the week or utilize in small group settings (growth groups, Sunday school, etc.)

romans 8:31-39

What, then, shall we say in response 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, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is one of the great passages in all the New Testament. Paul shares some important elements regarding our faith: God is for us, God gave his Son Jesus Christ for us, God justifies us in Christ, Christ intercedes for us, and finally, nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. It is a comforting thought to know that God is for us. We do not serve and worship a God that is “out to get us”; rather, our God is a God who continually seeks us out in love and mercy.

I read this passage at most every funeral service that I officiate. It is a great reminder to us all, especially during times of death, that not even death can separate us from God’s love in Christ. Paul listed many examples of things that might appear on the surface to separate us from God – trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, etc. If we are honest with ourselves, there are days when these things make us feel a sense of being separated from God and even abandoned. But as Paul reminded the church in Rome, God never leaves us, no matter how we might feel on any given day regarding our circumstances. We have hope!

As Christians we believe that God will one day redeem all creation. The author of Revelation stated it well: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne say, ‘Look! God’s dwelling is here with humankind. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people. God himself with be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more. There will be no mourning, crying, or pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’” (Revelation 21:1-4)

Prayer:

Almighty and all loving God, we thank you for never abandoning us and reminding us today that nothing in this world can separate us from you and your love for us in Christ. Amen.

QUESTION FOR REFLECTION:

Paul wrote, “God is for us.” How might our day to day lives change if we internalized the truth that God is for us?
What are specific forces in your life (internal or external) that cause you to feel separated from God? What has been helpful for you in reconnecting with God and restoring a feeling that nothing can separate you from God?
How would you summarize Romans 8:31-39 in one sentence? How might that sentence offer hope to someone experience suffering?

printer version