Separation Not Possible
Rom 8:35-37 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." (Ps 44:22) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
It's a rhetorical question as to who shall separate us from the love of Christ. It just doesn't happen. And much as he starts with "who" speaking of persons, he goes on to speak of events. For neither persons nor events can change one's status in the sight of God, despite troubles and persecutions being characteristic of the Christian life. "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" 2Tim 3:12 And thus "we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." Acts 14:22
Those born of God are conquerors and more. "This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." 1John 5:3-5 Thus for example those born of God characteristically continue in the faith. Endurance is so indicative of those born of God that John says of others, "They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us." 1John 2:19
But while victory and overcoming obstacles implies effort, those elect are more than conquerors in that such behavior comes naturally as a result of being born of God. "No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God." 1John 3:9
"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen." Jude 1:24,25
The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources
Rom 8:35-37 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." (Ps 44:22) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
It's a rhetorical question as to who shall separate us from the love of Christ. It just doesn't happen. And much as he starts with "who" speaking of persons, he goes on to speak of events. For neither persons nor events can change one's status in the sight of God, despite troubles and persecutions being characteristic of the Christian life. "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" 2Tim 3:12 And thus "we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." Acts 14:22
Those born of God are conquerors and more. "This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." 1John 5:3-5 Thus for example those born of God characteristically continue in the faith. Endurance is so indicative of those born of God that John says of others, "They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us." 1John 2:19
But while victory and overcoming obstacles implies effort, those elect are more than conquerors in that such behavior comes naturally as a result of being born of God. "No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God." 1John 3:9
"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen." Jude 1:24,25
The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources
