Absolutely Nothing!

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39

In the beginning of the book of Romans, Paul writes about the sin and straying from God that is plaguing the Roman Christians. Conversely, in the latter part of the letter, Paul offers encouragement to the believers by reminding them that there is nothing that will separate them from the love of God. To emphasize this, Paul provides a list in verses 38 and 39.

Paul’s inspired list to those who have placed their faith and trust in Christ:

1. Death, the termination of physical life, and life, which along with death, covers the entire scope of humanity, cannot separate us from God’s love. There is nothing we can do in and of ourselves that will cause a rift between us and the Lord.
2. Angels, principalities, and powers most likely refer to those existing beyond ourselves. Angels can be ministers sent from God or evil angels, who serve Satan. Regardless of whether the heavenly angels forget their mission (hypothetically speaking) or the evil ones persist in their demonic work, they cannot separate us from God and His love. According to the KJV dictionary, principalities and powers can refer to either good and evil spiritual beings or supreme earthly leaders. Regardless of spiritual beings or rulers on the earth, neither can separate us from the love of our Lord.
3. Things present or to come are listed next, and are exclusive of things past because things past would involve our sins, which, as Christians, have been forgiven and forgotten by God. Things present involve the things happening in our lives currently until this present life is completed. Things to come happen after our time on earth is complete and would involve our eternal state. Since Christians are not judged for their acceptance or rejection of Christ, but are instead judged and rewarded accordingly for their service to God, the eternal punishment of hell is not in our future. We will not be separated by “things to come” because our eternal state is secure in Christ Jesus.
4. The height and depth of this physical world, such as the highest pinnacle or deepest abyss in the sea, cannot separate us from God. The height or depth of prosperity, poverty, or adversity cannot accomplish a separation between us and God.
5. Nothing in God’s creation can drive a wedge between our Creator and His children. No man nor animal can create this separation.

There is absolutely nothing or no one that can separate the saved of God from His love. NOTHING! He has promised that, and God NEVER goes back on His Word. The realization that no matter what we do, what we say, how we look, where we go, nothing will ever separate us from God’s love is overwhelming.

As a child of God, I am not perfect. I struggle with issues of pride, fear, selfishness, and many other sins, but even when I fail Him, His love for me continues and will continue for all eternity!

This is incomprehensible to me, but I am so comforted by this truth… NOTHING will ever separate me from the love of my Saviour…not even me!

Jesus, my Lord will love me forever,
From Him no pow’r of evil can sever,
He gave His life to ransom my soul;
Now I belong to Him;

Now I belong to Jesus,
Jesus belongs to me,
Not for the years of time alone,
But for eternity.

(from “Now I Belong to Jesus” by Norman J. Clayton)

“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” – John 10:28-29

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Belonging to Jesus means you are loved forever and ever, and nothing will ever change that!