Scripture:
Romans 8:37-39 ESV
[37] No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am sure 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 creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Observation:
Paul wants us to know exactly who we are in Christ. Here is a question: What does it mean to conquer? I believe Paul wants us to know that we can stand in confidence. Let’s look at what we can have confidence in. The topic is the love of GOD. It can’t be taken away. Nothing can separate us from it. Paul spoke with assurance in what he was saying. Nothing… nothing at all can take you out of the love of GOD. Let’s back up a little bit and see why. Romans 8:28 is the answer, in my opinion, “and we know that all things work together for good for those who love GOD and are called according to HIS purpose. The 8th chapter of Romans has a lot of good stuff in it. It assures us that GOD is just not going to give up on us.
Application:
I can’t tell you how many times I have fallen. Standing there looking at what feels like another defeat… the pile of rubble that was my life under my feet. I was wondering how I got here again. I want to encourage you this morning… if that’s where you are. If you are on the heels of another disaster, you just made another mistake, and you’re wondering how or if GOD can forgive you. HE is not done yet. Philippians 1:6 tells us all we need to know. GOD will finish what HE started. HE will see it through. In the not-to-distant future, you will look back and see the pile of rubble as a mountain of victory. We all fall. It’s what happens when we fall that makes the difference a conquer will get back up. Fighting from victory. Gives us the confidence needed to do so. GOD has not nor will HE give up on you. HE has called you by name. HE has called me by name, and he will finish what HE started. Nothing can change that. HE has determined for you to be conformed to the image of HIS son. So rest in HIM. Our confidence is not in ourselves but in the one who made us.
Prayer:
Father, you have made us to be more than conquerors. As we stand here looking at the battle. Pr even on the heels of what seems like a defeat. Help us to see that you are not done. That you have a plan, and that plan is for our good. We know that you will not leave us unfinished. What you start, you will see through to the end. Help us not get discouraged. Let us remember that we are not fighting for victory but from it. Give us the confidence to stand with our arms raised in a v knowing that you are fighting for us, and because you are fighting for us, we can not lose. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.