NOTHING CAN SEPARATE YOU FROM THE LOVE OF GOD
Romans 8:38-39
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
— Romans 8:38-39 (LSB)
INTRODUCTION
One of the greatest fears believers experience is the fear of losing God’s love.
Perhaps you have wondered:
“What if I fail?”
“What if my faith isn’t strong enough?”
“What if I wander?”
“What if I sin again?”
“What if suffering means God has abandoned me?”
Those fears are common, but they are answered with one of the most comforting promises in all of Scripture.
Nothing can separate God’s children from His love.
Not because Christians are strong.
Not because we are faithful enough.
But because God is faithful.
Salvation is God’s work from beginning to end. Those whom He saves, He keeps.
Our security rests not in our grip on Christ, but in His grip on us.
I. GOD’S LOVE IS ROOTED IN HIS ETERNAL PURPOSE
Ephesians 1:4-5
“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him in love, by predestining us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.”
Truths
• God’s love began before you were born.
• He chose His people before the world existed.
• Salvation originates with God, not man.
• His love is based upon His grace, not your performance.
The believer’s assurance begins with God Himself.
Before you took your first breath, God set His love upon His people.
He did not choose you because He saw future goodness in you.
He chose according to His mercy and grace.
His love did not begin when you trusted Christ.
Your faith was the result of His love already working toward you.
That means His love is not fragile.
It isn’t temporary.
It isn’t dependent upon your emotions.
God’s eternal purpose cannot fail.
II. JESUS WILL NEVER LOSE HIS SHEEP
John 10:27-29
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish—ever, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”
Truths
• Christ gives eternal life.
• Believers belong to Him.
• Jesus loses none of His sheep.
• The Father and Son secure our salvation.
If salvation depended upon us, we would lose it.
But Jesus says His sheep will never perish.
Never.
No person can remove you from Christ’s hand.
Not Satan.
Not the world.
Not circumstances.
Not suffering.
And not even your own weakness.
The same Savior who died for you now intercedes for you.
Christ does not save halfway.
He saves completely.
His sheep are held securely by the Shepherd.
III. GOD FINISHES WHAT HE BEGINS
Philippians 1:6
“Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Truths
• God begins salvation.
• God sanctifies believers.
• God preserves His people.
• God finishes His work.
There are days when Christians stumble.
Days when faith feels weak.
Days when prayer feels dry.
But your assurance rests in God’s faithfulness, not your feelings.
The One who began the work will finish it.
God doesn’t abandon His children midway through the journey.
He disciplines.
He corrects.
He restores.
But He never casts away His own.
IV. CHRIST INTERCEDES FOR HIS PEOPLE
Hebrews 7:25
“Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”
Romans 8:34
“Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.”
Truths
• Jesus continually prays for His people.
• His work did not end at the cross.
• Believers are eternally secure in Him.
Right now, Christ sits at the Father’s right hand.
Not waiting.
Not resting.
But interceding.
The Savior who died for you now pleads your cause.
Your security does not rest on your ability to hold onto Him.
It rests on His perfect work on your behalf.
And His prayers never fail.
V. GOD’S LOVE ENDURES THROUGH SUFFERING
Romans 8:35
“Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”
Truths
• Trials are not evidence God has abandoned us.
• Suffering often strengthens faith.
• God’s love remains constant.
Hardship can make us question God’s love.
But Paul says suffering doesn’t separate us from Christ.
In fact, suffering often drives believers closer to Him.
Cancer cannot separate you.
Financial hardship cannot separate you.
Persecution cannot separate you.
Even death cannot separate you.
Because death itself becomes the doorway into Christ’s presence.
VI. NOTHING IN ALL CREATION CAN SEPARATE US
Romans 8:38-39
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Truths
• Nothing created is greater than God.
• Satan cannot undo salvation.
• God’s love is everlasting.
• Believers are secure forever.
Paul searches the universe for something that could separate God’s people from His love.
Death?
No.
Life?
No.
Demons?
No.
The future?
No.
The past?
No.
Anything in creation?
No.
Why?
Because God’s love is stronger than everything else.
You are loved by the God who cannot change.
And if God has justified you, no power in heaven or earth can reverse His decree.
Christian, your hope is not found in your ability to hold on to God.
Your hope rests in the God who holds on to you.
The Father chose you.
The Son redeemed you.
The Holy Spirit sealed you.
And the God who saved you will bring you safely home.
As Jesus promised:
John 6:39
“Now this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.”
Nothing.
Not suffering.
Not Satan.
Not fear.
Not death.
Not tomorrow.
Not even your own weakness.
Nothing can separate God’s children from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You that Your love is not based upon our performance but upon Your grace. Thank You that Christ has secured our salvation and that nothing can separate us from Your love. Strengthen our faith when we are weak and remind us that You will finish the work You have begun. Help us to rest in Christ and walk in joyful confidence, knowing that we are secure in Him. In Jesus’ name, amen.