Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)

38. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39. 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.

From the 28th verse to the conclusion of Romans 8, Paul tells us our greatest encouragement in the Christian life should come from the steadfast love of God. It is interesting to note that chapter 7 closes with, "O wretched man that I am." Then chapter 8 closes with, "Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God." Our hope should be built on God's attributes and character, not our actions and conduct. This morning I want us to focus for a final time on the great text regarding God's love for His people.

1. The love of God is found in a person, "The love of God, which is in Christ Jesus." (v.39. Whoever is not or shall not be in Christ is not loved by the Father, but the wrath of God abideth on him -- Robert Haldane.
   1. Christ is the answer to the problem of sin. Men in general are fond of contemplating God as a God of benevolence. They always attempt to flatter Him by praising His love and goodness. But God's love for man as a sinner is exercised only through the atonement made to His justice by the sacrifice of his Son.
      1. No protection in Egypt apart from the blood of the lamb.
      2. No salvation from the Flood for those not "in the ark."
   2. Christ is the answer to the problem of security. If God's love for me were dependent upon my goodness or ability to be loved, I could never have any security. We should not look for the cause of God's love for us in our works, or anything in ourselves, but in Jesus Christ alone -- Haldane.
      1. There is nothing good in every person.
      2. There is nothing evil in one person.
      God has placed His people "in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption; that according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord" (I Corinthians 1:30,31).
2. The love of God is felt by a persuasion. "For I am persuaded," (v.38). In this word 'persuasion' we see the nature and quality of faith. To be persuaded means we take home to our own hearts the truth of God's grace and love for sinners in Christ Jesus. In other words, "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thy heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved," Romans 10:9. This becomes a promise that "I am persuaded" applies to me.
3. The love of God is forever for his people. "Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God" (v.39). There are ten specific things that won't separate us from God's love:
   • "Death" . . . "Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints."
   • "Life" . . . no problem in life shall separate you from God's love (I Corinthians 3:22).
   • "Angels" . . . no demonic entity or even Satan himself.
   • "Principalities, nor powers" . . . civil authorities, religious leaders, political power are all powerless before God.
   • "Things present, nor things to come" . . . problems now, problems future.
   • "Nor height, nor depth" . . . the highest degree of blessing or the lowest degree of adversity.
   • "Nor any other creature" . . . this last phrase encompasses anything else you could ever imagine.

May we never be ashamed to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the remedy for the greatest virus ever known -- sin.