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Romans 8:38, 39 - Eternal Omnipotent Love.Romans 8:38, 39 (NLT) And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.INTRODUCTION God's love is eternal and omnipotent. These verses contain one of the most comforting promises in all Scripture. Believers have always had to face hardships in many forms: persecution, illness, imprisonment, and even death. These sometimes cause them to fear that they have been abandoned by Christ. But Paul exclaims that it is impossible to be separated from Christ. His death for us proves his unconquerable love. Nothing can separate us from Christ's constant presence with us... No matter what happens to us or where we are, we can never be separated from his love. Suffering should not drive us away from God but help us to identify with him and allow his love to reach us and heal us. [Life Application SB 2019] COMMENTARY PEARL Keep Calm And Carry On. How many times have we seen this popular phrase on memes, clothing, mugs, and home decor? The slogan originates from morale-building posters the British government printed during World War II but never circulated. Today, we have untold variations to replace the original ending, including Knit On, Drink Tea, Hug a Tree, Call Batman. Choosing to keep calm is easier said than done. We all occasionally find ourselves sidetracked by sudden troubles. Staying calm is especially difficult for people who are emotional, prone to worry, and tend to overreact (I'm looking in the mirror here). I've always admired the Apostle Paul for his ability to seem cool and collected even when suffering unjust accusations, beatings, a shipwreck, and a lengthy imprisonment. Regardless of his circumstances, Paul revealed a deep assurance that absolutely nothing could ever separate him from Christ's unconditional, sacrificial, life-giving love.* One day I saw that familiar slogan and realized something: the Word was in the word. Now, whenever I see or read calm, I welcome the reminder that Christ Always Loves Me. The next time my emotions or my circumstances push my panic button, I'll choose the C.A.L.M. mode instead and carry on with Jesus. Dianne Neal Matthews Faith Step: Memorize today's verse and recite it once a day or as needed to make sure you're convinced that Jesus's ever-present love will never waver, no matter what happens. [Mornings With Jesus 2025 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] *Paul actually saw Jesus in person after His resurrection on the road to Damascus. COMMENTARY It is necessary to maintain a living connection with heaven,... Wrestling with appetite and passion unaided by divine power will be unsuccessful; but make Christ your stronghold, and the language of your soul will be, "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us." Said the apostle Paul, "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." Let no one think he can overcome without the help of God. You must have the energy, the strength, the power, of an inner life developed within you. You will then bear fruit unto godliness, and will have an intense loathing of vice. You need to constantly strive to work away from earthliness, from cheap conversation, from everything sensual, and aim for nobility of soul and a pure and unspotted character. MS. 4a, 1885. MM 143 Prayer is essential in order to receive strength to contend with the powers of darkness, and to do the work allotted us. Our own strength is weakness, but that which God gives is mighty and will make everyone who obtains it more than conqueror. 2T203 When Christ is abiding in the heart, you will not be light, chaffy, and immodest, but circumspect, and reliable in every place, sending forth pure words like streams from a pure fountain, refreshing all with whom you come in contact. If you decide to continue your idle talk and frivolous conduct, go into some other place where your influence and example will not be so widely felt, contaminating other souls. What you all need is such a sense of the purity and holiness of Christ as will lead you to despise this pretense of religion which blesses no one, gives no peace of conscience, no repose of faith. MM 144 PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Salvation is given "to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" (Romans 8:1). Salvation is not guaranteed for those who love the carnal life and have gone after the flesh, who have chosen to separate themselves from God's love. God always respects our free will. To gain the promise of salvation, we must first decide to put our trust in the remarkable love of God. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts] Yes sin, according to Isa. 59:2, does separate us from God, but not His love for us. He loves us with an everlasting love, Jer. 31:3, But love is a relationship and when we choose to turn from God we break that love relationship with Him by our own freewill which He gives us and He will honor our decision and allow that to happen for He will not force us to love Him and have a relationship with Him. FGibbs YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS DEVOTIONAL. Did this devotional help you in your relationship with Christ? YES ___ NO ___. What contributing author did you enjoy most? __________________ Is there an author you would like to see more of? ___________________ Thanks so much for helping us to improve the devotional component of this website! Please forward a copy of this to fggibbs@abible.com LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY Romans 8:38, 39 - Eternal Omnipotent Love. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2025/20250605-1426.html Romans 8:38, 39 - Omnipotent Love. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20241104-1426.html https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230319-0946.html http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20221024-0837.html http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201116-1155.html John 3:16 - The Love of God. http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201111-1036.html Deuteronomy 7:9 - God's Love and Promises are Faithful. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2010/20100328-1139.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/ |