Dearest e-votees-
This week we'll look at a snippet of our assigned epistle text.
Peace,
Karl
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38 For I am convinced 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 of creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39, NRSV
This is an elegantly stated and expansive statement by Paul. We cannot be separated from the love of Christ Jesus. Whether we live or whether we die we are the Lord's (see Romans 14:8). Nothing that is happening now (things present) nor anything that will happen (things to come) will be able to wrest us away from God's love. No physical dimension nor principality will be able to drive a wedge between us and God's love. Nothing, nothing, nothing can separate us from God's love.
But do we act in accord with this deep and abiding promise?!?
Do we think that somehow we haven't merited God's love? Do we think that we have done something so profoundly sinful or selfish or evil that God can no longer love us? Have we said something (blasphemy?) or not said something (been ashamed of Jesus?) so that we think God will no longer speak in our favor? Have we let worries of this world and the lure of wealth become a wedge between us and God? Perhaps we have been munching grass bit by bit until we find ourselves far from the other 99 in the flock and don't know how to get back. Have we rashly demanded things as if God was dead, squandered them and found ourselves hungry, empty and cut off? Surely there are things we can do that make God love us less--yes?!?
Paul's focus is not on our worthiness. Paul's focus is not on us. Paul's focus is on God's love that is insurmountable. When we focus on ourselves and our own worthiness we are bereft of hope. When we focus on God's love there is hope in spades. What is impossible for people (remember that camel through the eye of the needle?) is child's play for God. There is indeed hope and love for us. And, beyond that, for all who we would deem unlovable and irredeemable. Thanks be to God.
God, let us bask in your love. Amen.
This week we'll look at a snippet of our assigned epistle text.
Peace,
Karl
------------
38 For I am convinced 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 of creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This is an elegantly stated and expansive statement by Paul. We cannot be separated from the love of Christ Jesus. Whether we live or whether we die we are the Lord's (see Romans 14:8). Nothing that is happening now (things present) nor anything that will happen (things to come) will be able to wrest us away from God's love. No physical dimension nor principality will be able to drive a wedge between us and God's love. Nothing, nothing, nothing can separate us from God's love.
But do we act in accord with this deep and abiding promise?!?
Do we think that somehow we haven't merited God's love? Do we think that we have done something so profoundly sinful or selfish or evil that God can no longer love us? Have we said something (blasphemy?) or not said something (been ashamed of Jesus?) so that we think God will no longer speak in our favor? Have we let worries of this world and the lure of wealth become a wedge between us and God? Perhaps we have been munching grass bit by bit until we find ourselves far from the other 99 in the flock and don't know how to get back. Have we rashly demanded things as if God was dead, squandered them and found ourselves hungry, empty and cut off? Surely there are things we can do that make God love us less--yes?!?
Paul's focus is not on our worthiness. Paul's focus is not on us. Paul's focus is on God's love that is insurmountable. When we focus on ourselves and our own worthiness we are bereft of hope. When we focus on God's love there is hope in spades. What is impossible for people (remember that camel through the eye of the needle?) is child's play for God. There is indeed hope and love for us. And, beyond that, for all who we would deem unlovable and irredeemable. Thanks be to God.
God, let us bask in your love. Amen.
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