Nothing can separate us from the love of God

It is such an honor to realize that the Creator God has given us the opportunity to study His Bible and understand His plan. And it should be with great reverence that we approach Him and respectfully live our lives in obedience to Him and His laws. 

In that process, it is important for Christians to carefully take stock of themselves and their faith. Careful and prayerful self-examination and introspection can reveal not only where we have grown but also where we still need to grow further. Paul admonished us to carefully examine ourselves. 

27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.   (1 Corinthians 11:27-31).   

That process of self-examination, if we are brutally honest, can be somewhat painful. An honest look at myself will reveal some very unflattering (to say the least) attitudes, actions and words.  

We all know we are not perfect—rather quite far from it. Understanding our continued need for repentance and change is humbling and reveals how much we need the strength and forgiveness of our Creator to continue to change.  

Many times over the years, Church members have asked me why God has drawn them into this special relationship with Him. I’ve asked the same question of myself many times too, and I don’t have a good answer, other than that in His love and mercy, God has chosen to do so. In spite of what we inherently are, our Father loves us, as one man said, “warts and all!”  

When we examine ourselves carefully and honestly and see ourselves “warts and all,” we may question whether God would really be willing to forgive us, give us the power of His Holy Spirit and eventually bring us into His Kingdom as children of God. Why would He do that for me, considering what I’ve done and been and still am? 

“God’s love is the strongest force in the universe. As Paul encouraged the Christians in Rome:  

“‘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 created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Romans 8:38-39).” 

Why does God bother with us? Why does He want to bring us to repentance, cover our sins with the blood of Christ and then give us eternal life in His Kingdom? Because of the depth of His love for us, which defies imagination.  

It is important that I periodically take the time to look at my life to see where course corrections are still needed.  

God is more than willing to help me make those changes, because the love of my Father is the strongest force in the world. It’s the same for you too!

devotions from - Tom from Life, Hope & Truth