the fluency of our faith (part 3)

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 8:38-39)

Wow!  What a statement is made in Romans 8!  What a promise we are offered from the Throne of the Creator!  Here, we are informed that despite man's mistake to sin... there is nothing that can separate us from God's agape love if we choose to follow Jesus Christ.  Not even our own physical death from this earth!!!  This is why we are told in 1 Corinthians 13 that, "Love never fails!"  God never, ever fails us.  It is we who fail if we continue to reject God's perfect, healthy love.  Consider more from 1 Corinthians 13...

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:8-12)

These verses are talking about mankind's existence now (here on earth) vs. Jesus' promised eternal life in His presence.  Here on earth, mankind speculates.  We study, and examine, and reason, and debate all sorts of intellectual nonsense - always arguing a case "for" or "against" God's very existence.  But spiritually speaking, the Bible says we are children.  We do not have the scope or wisdom of the omniscient God.  Fortunately, He gives us His Word... and it is everlasting.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... (John 1:1)

Right now, we can only see glimpses of God's goodness because our eyes are tainted from sin.  Our hearts are corrupt.  Our human nature defaults to turn away from God, who cannot tolerate sin.  But thankfully, Jesus says, "I am the Way," and offers a solution to our original betrayal.  He invites us to look to Him.  To follow His teaching.  To accept Him as Lord of our whole life.  To mature and grow spiritually under the security of His Name.  Jesus shows us true love in both word and action.  He is our example and goal.  He is God who overcame sin in human flesh.  The perfect sacrifice, He paid the price of death on our behalf so that we may gain His eternal life forever!  This is why His birth, and death, and resurrection are celebrated over and over.  Jesus lives on as our light in this darkness of sin.  Once again, gracious God sacrifices Himself so that men might be blessed to live in His fullness.

Hallelujah, LOVE never, ever fails!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-5; 14)

This brings me to now... to today.  There are those who will receive and follow Jesus Christ, and there are those who will deny Him forever.  As God remains consistent in His agape love to all mankind, Jesus invites each of us to choose our Creator wholeheartedly (being reborn in His Spirit), or discredit and reject Him completely (choosing to separate ourselves from God forevermore).

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  (1 John 4:10)

How does comprehending God's love help us express love well?  In my next blog, we will return to 1 Corinthians 13 and begin looking at the attributes of God's love while considering how Jesus' Way can mature us further spiritually and love well.  Until then, I encourage you to meditate and rejoice on Psalm 136, giving thanks to the Lord because His love never, ever fails!

God bless!

Victoria

© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson