Take it to the Bank


Time for Monday Manna over at An Open Book. Slip over there for more thoughts on this wonderful passage of Scripture.

Worried about losing your salvation? Don't. If there were ever two verses that demonstrate how secure the believer's salvation is, Romans 8:38, 39 are those verses.

"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."

Like many of us, those who received Paul's letters probably had their days when they wondered if they were really part of God's kingdom after all. You know, those days when Satan whispers in your ear, "Did it again, eh? What makes you think you're a Christian?" Then there's the overwhelming sense of unworthiness that sometimes morphs into, "No, this can't be true—God save ME?"

In Romans 8:1, he writes: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…" and proceeds to explain what the presence of the Spirit of God in our lives means. We have a new nature, controlled by the Spirit of God. His presence and his working in our lives is the evidence of our new relationship with God.

Paul doesn't want us to think that life will turn into the proverbial "bowl of cherries" once we come to faith. We face a continual battle against the dying remnants of our old natures and the effects of sin on a damaged world. As he describes this struggle throughout chapter 8 of Romans, he assures us that, in spite of the spiritual struggles, what we have entrusted to God through faith in Christ—our souls—is safe. Satan can accuse, the world can accuse, our hearts can accuse, but God no longer accuses.

"Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? 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" —Romans 33, 34.

Just in case we thought there was a loophole somewhere, Paul then discards, one by one, all the possible things that might be able to drag us kicking and screaming from the banquet hall of the redeemed.

Not a chance, says Paul. There is nothing that can condemn us again. And that, as they say, we can take to the bank.

Comments

  1. Joanne Sher17 August 2009 at 15:45

    I have SO been there - and Romans 8 almost always reassures me of my safety and permanence in Him. Great thoughts, Lynda. Thanks for participating!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hoomi18 August 2009 at 15:41

    Perhaps some of us expect to be dragged kicking and screaming from the banquet hall of the redeemed because, for all intents and purposes, we were dragged kicking and screaming INTO the banquet hall of the redeemed?

    Great insights clearly articulated!

    ReplyDelete

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