IN Christ!

IN Christ!

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 KJV

The Inspiration:

The entire chapter of Romans 8 speaks to the blessings and benefits the new life in Christ brings. It starts off with a declaration that there is no condemnation for all those who are IN Christ. That distinction is relevant to the verse above, as it is my current location that defines my current entitlements. In Christ lies all that God has provided for life and Godliness. All I would ever need to please, serve and worship God have been made available. Now, it has to be clear that as free as these things are for me, they actually cost God a lot. Imagine giving the life of your son for people you were certain would reject you to the end. But God would still go ahead, even if it was for just one person. It didn't matter how many rejected Him when he came to the earth in human form, but for as many as received Him, to them God gave power to become the sons of God. That is a privilege that cannot be bought by human connections, influence or networth. 

The Contention:

True Life is simply the free gift of God, and is accessible by faith in the One who died and rose again, and now lives forever. He extends the same grace to all who will come to Him. If He could give His life, what else can't he give up? If He could make the worst of sinners the best of saints, no one is so far gone that s/he is beyond the grace of God. There is no sin so dire that the blood cannot cleanse. There is no one so evil that Jesus cannot redeem. The man who wrote this letter, Saul/Paul, is proof that the saving grace of God can take a man from the deepest pit of sin and then plant him on the highest mountain of grace. It was love that drew the plan of salvation, not minding the past or the present, but focused on the endless possibilities that had now become real. With all that Jesus has done and given, how do I plead? How do I intend to respond to the grace of God that has now revealed? God waits for me; eternity hangs on my response. 

The Conclusion:

Today's verse is clear about what I stand to gain from God's perspective. For Him, he moved heaven and earth just to save me from the consequences of sin. His love for me is perfect and complete, and is beyond measure or limits. This means that no matter the velocity or fierceness of the storm, fire or wind that is coming, I have an assurance that the love of God is greater, stronger and deeper. No matter the pressure the devil seeks to exert on me, the love of God guards my heart and keeps me focused. It takes a very personal encounter to be able to speak the words of today's verses. They come from a place of faith and confidence; faith in the power of God to prove as true what He has promised, and confidence in God's ability to hold me up and keep me to the end. I can face whatever comes, because His love is a solid anchor. Only IN Christ am I truly eternally safe. God's time of favour is here.