I Am Convinced

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. (Romans 8:31-39 NIV)

This passage is chock full of proof that God loves us; proof that He really, honestly loves us. Before today I hadn't actually taken the time to look at it. I had memorized it for JBQ (Junior Bible Quiz) when I was younger, but I didn't look at it as if it could actually be more than words in a book or the way to a championship or a medal. These words were actually written to real people, and I believe that they transcend time and are relevant for us today. 

If God is for us, who can be against us? It's not asking if anyone can oppose us. Of course they can. In fact, the Bible is full of stories showing this. Those who follow God will, without a doubt, be opposed. 

James 1 says:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (James 1:2-3 NIV)

The Bible doesn't say if we face trials, it says when. We are certain to face them. People will come against us. Things will hurt us. But in the end, who really can oppose us? God is for 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? If God gave his Son for us, what is he going to withhold from us? He will give us all things: eternal life, a perfect body, a new heaven and a new earth. What more can we ask for? 

Who will bring any charge against those whom the Lord has chosen? Who is higher than God that can say we are no longer justified through faith? There is none higher. If God has justified us, then we are justified. 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No. No it will not. 

There is power in the love of God. There is awesome power. NOTHING will EVER be able to separate us from the Love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Even with the trouble I have with knowing that God love me, I was overwhelmed by this. I always believed it, but it's kind of like that "I-believe button" my dad would always talk about. It was something I decided to believe, but I didn't know it. Throughout the past year I have been learning to know it. This morning His love was like a flood. It was all over and all around me and suddenly I knew again that God loved me; that He loves me. 

For I am convinced that [nothing] will be able to separate [me] from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus [my] Lord.