Separate Christians from the Love of God? Impossible!

Separate Christians From the Love of God? Impossible!
By Barbara Henderson

We should look at that which is for us, as well as what is against us. Matthew Henry, 1 Samuel 1:1-8 commentary.

‘If God be for us, who can be against us?’ Romans 8:31b Remember, this is God Almighty, who did not spare His own son that we might have eternal life. Will He forsake us now, after such great cost already spent?

Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Romans 8:35-39 says:
35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36. As it is written, For they sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38. For I m 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 teh love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

If you want to memorize scripture, then memorize that.

Christians have died for their faith. Christians are still being persecuted around the globe, and some are even killed. They counted as sheep for the slaughter. YET, they are more than conquerors through the victory of Jesus Christ. Martyrs in Christ can only face the death of the physical body, the shadow of death. No creature has power to cast Christ’s own into hell. Eternal life is theirs through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ at the cross. Though they be killed, they are not separated from the love of God for one second.

It is true that at some point we will be separated from all that we have on this earth. It may be in death. It also may be in life.
In this life:
I pray not to be separated from freedom of religion. I certainly enjoy worshipping my God and my King freely and openly. I would probably get myself into trouble immediately if an open declaration of faith in Jesus Christ was forbidden.
I pray not to be separated from my family.
I pray that my family and I and the brethren will not be in true want.
I pray that we will all be able to be content with such things as we have, and not let our lives be consumed by constant thoughts of things that we do not have.

Never the less, no matter what comes to pass while we yet live or when we die, we know that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God.
Whether we have material possessions beyond measure, or live in abject poverty, God’s love is with us. Sometimes, based on circumstances, we are more aware of God’s love, but His love is with us always.
We will eventually be ‘parted’ from all the things of this earth, both good and bad. Families, good works, evil intentions, material possessions, prestige, and everything that is accounted as valuable and worthwhile on this earth will still be on this earth when we are not here anymore.
Yet, the love of God will still be with us.
God will still be for us.
The devil and his followers will not be able to stand against us.

Sometimes, even often, when viewing the world system and the wicked and silly world leaders, we see all the things that are truly against us. It isn’t paranoid to say the government hates Christians. The government hates all those who do not look to it for salvation from every day trials. It is easy to be overwhelmed by all the frightful and wicked events that we see happening.
What we tend to forget is that God is still for us, even though the entire world is against us. God is more powerful than the world because He created the world.

We should do as Matthew Henry says; ‘We should look at that which is for us, as well as what is against us.’

We should remember that God is for us; He is for His own children, just as earthly parents are for their own children. He counted the cost of adopting us before He started. He went through with the cross for us. He is not going to leave us now.

There are those who dearly love us, and that we dearly love in return. If it was within our power, we would not be separated from loved ones by death, or even great distance. Yet, no matter how great our love for family and friends, we have no power to stay the hand of death.

Jesus Christ has the power and authority to promise that we will not be separated from His love.
Jesus Christ has the power and authority to promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)

A quick review reminds us:
Look at that which is for us as well as that which is against us.
Christ is for His own children.
Nothing can separate us from the love of God.
Jesus Christ will never leave us nor forsake us.

Ultimately, we are facing a defeated foe.
What counts is how we face him.
We can face him with an attitude of defeat,
OR
We can face him with faith in our God who loves us and gives us courage.
Christians are holding the winning hand.
We are holding the hand of Christ our Savior.

This song, ‘The Love of God’, is a good companion hymn for the scriptures written in Romans 8:35-39.

The Love of God
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/l/o/loveofgo.htm
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
Refrain
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.
When years of time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men, who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
Refrain
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
Refrain



‘All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name’ is also an excellent hymn to remind of who it is that stands for us against the world.

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/h/ahtpojn.htm

In Times of Turmoil the Christian Knows......

We are living in religious, social, political, and probably personal turmoil. Fortunately, Isaiah 26:3 gives us these comforting words; ‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.’

Here are some things that the Christian whose ‘mind is fixed’, who ‘stays the course’, or ‘who perseveres’ in keeping their thoughts stayed on the Lord knows:

I know my redeemer liveth. Job 19:25
What would be the point of trusting in the ideology of a dead philosopher? The Redeemer of the Christian lives eternally. He has power of death for Himself and for those who believe in Him.

I know Jesus is the Christ. John 4:42
Christians need look no further for their salvation.

I know all things work together for good to them that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
How hard it is to see this with our eyes when facing turmoil. Matthew Henry explains it this way.
‘That is good for the saints which does their souls good. Every providence tends to the spiritual good of those that love God; in breaking them off from sin, bringing them nearer to God, weaning them from the world, and fitting them for heaven.’
The good may not be that the event itself works out for good, although it often does. There will always be good in events that draw us closer to the God of our Salvation.


I know that if our earthly house is dissolved, we have an eternal home with God.
2 Corinthians 5:1
Based on God’s abilities, we have a secure future in heaven. We will have health for eternity. We can lay up treasures now for that bright future.

I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 2 Timothy 1:12b
God Almighty who created all things is able to keep and sustain all things.

I know believers are sons of God. When He appears we shall be like Him. 1 John 3:2
Christians have been adopted by the King of all kings.

We have passed from death to life because we love the brethren. 1 John 3:14 God gives His children love for the brethren. Like God’s love, it is unconditional. (This does not mean we approve of or accept immoral behavior. It means we love the brethren regardless. Of course, how much easier it is to love those who are of like mind and are in fellowship with God.)
In facing the turmoil or storms of life, first consider the things that you do know regarding the character of God and His care for His children. Then obey Philippians 4:8 which says, ‘Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

This will help you to keep your thoughts and actions in harmony with each other.
This will help you have perfect peace in your own heart.
Your life may encourage non-believers to reflect on how it is that you have peace in the turmoil of our times.

Frivolity - AKA Stupid Self-indulgence

Does a Life of Frivolity Lead to Hell?
By Barbara Henderson

Frivolity – unbecoming levity of disposition – the act of being frivolous – aka stupid self-indulgence
Frivolous – lack of seriousness

From the moment of conception to the moment of physical death, every human being lives under the curse of death. The body is bound to die, whether it is sucked out of the womb before it is born, or lives to be very old. Death is the way of all the earth. (Joshua 23:14, 1 Kings 2:2)

It is pretty much a no brainer that what happens in between the beginning of life and the end of life does matter. It matters while we live, and it really matters after we die. The decisions we make are all serious decisions, even the smallest decisions.

To the frivolous at heart, nothing is serious, and trivial things are important. They have a flippant attitude that ignores the gravity of their situation. They are living on death row here on earth, yet they scoff at the path to eternal life. They take nothing seriously except their own egos and passions.

The frivolous at heart defy authority. In fact, their lifelong passion is to do whatever is considered outside the realm of old fashioned correct and right behavior. The heart of their problem is rebellion. They are living a life of frivolity. There are people of all ages who live their lives as though continuing the same rebellious behavior of their teen years will keep them youthful. How many forty, fifty, and even sixty year olds still live their lives for weekends of drunkenness?

Television shows in general establish characters who refuse to grow up as normal and even enviable. The characters live their lives as though they were fifteen to seventeen years old. They still make the same mistakes they made as children; they spend their time doing the same silly things, only as older people who are not answerable to their parents. This behavior is done both in situation comedies and dramas. No one on television is ever in a faithful and fulfilling marriage. Christian faith never enters into anything except in a negative way. No one ever winds up really satisfied or content with the life they live.

Sadly, this behavior is what is going on in the lives of many people. I don’t know if television is just mimicking society, or if society is being led by television. Probably both. Regardless, there are many real people refusing to grow up and face reality.

The reality is this. ‘And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.’ Hebrews 9:27

There will be no lightheartedness or frivolity on judgment day.
There will be no one doubting the gravity of their situation.
No one will be flippantly defying God on that day.
Stupid self-indulgence will have come to a bitter and final end.

The way to avoid disaster on judgment day is simple repentance today.
Repentance is to be sorry for sinful conduct; to be so sorry that one turns from that conduct and begins a new course of personal action.

The first action is:
Believe on the Lord Jesus and thou shall be saved. (Acts 16:31)
The second action is:
Be baptized as a symbol of having turned from old ways to the ways of Christ. (Acts 10:48)
The third action is:
Do the things of Christ. (Luke 6:46) In other words, take your commitment to Christ seriously. (This does not ‘earn’ salvation for salvation is by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:8 It does show your commitment to Christ.)

It is easy to look at the great sin around us and justify the small sins in our own lives.
This is frivolous behavior for the Christian.
Christians are to do the things Christ says to do.
Christians living a life doing the things Christ taught us in the Bible stand out as different from those living a life of frivolity (aka stupid self-indulgence).

Matthew 5:13-16 says:
13. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14. Ye are the lighty of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick: and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

The silly self-indulgent really don’t have time to listen to what Christians have to say. They are too busy working at ‘having fun’, and ‘staying young’.
They do occasionally have time to watch what a Christian does.
Be sure that you are living Matthew 5:16. ‘Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’