No Fear of Separation

Introduction

ILLUST - The time we were separated from Caleigh in the elevator in Dallas.

— We had no idea how to get to her

— Elderly couple brought her back

While we feel separated from Bob, there is no real separation for those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus - in his life, death for sin, and resurrection. 

If you can say with confidence that you are in Christ Jesus (through faith) then what follows applies to you. 

Romans 8:31–39 (ESV) 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul is making several arguments here to show that we have this security based on the love of God.

We are loved because God is for us (v. 31)

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

He proved it by giving us his Son (v32)

Jesus himself is for us (34)

Earlier, Paul reminded us that because God is for us he is working everything for our good (8:28)

There is nothing that can stand against God. It is either the Creator or the creation. 

—Trust in the God who is for you — nothing else!

We are loved because God has given us everything (v. 32)

32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

This is the argument of the lesser to the greater 

When we were sinners God gave his best - his Son

Now that we are his children, will he not give us even more?!?!?

ILLUST - If I feed the dog, I’ll feed my child. 

If God has given you his best, why do you question his good?

—Trust what God has given for you - His Son!

We are loved because God has justified us (33)

33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

We are not justified by the good (or lack of bad) that we have done

We are not justified by church attendance

There is no security there at all!

God justifies by what Christ has done

IILUST - Julian gaining his birthday money but losing it. I knew he would lose it so I attained my own money and secured it for him. 

If you are able to attain your own salvation, then you must be the one to secure it. But if you are unable to attain your own salvation, then you must trust that he can attain it and HE SECURES IT.

— Trust that you can have your sins forgiven by trusting in Christ’s sacrifice for you.

We are loved because Jesus knows us (34)

34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Salvation is based on who you know not how you feel.

ILLUST - I am married because of the covenant of marriage I committed to not based on whether or not I “Feel” married. 

When I do not feel or act married, my wife intercedes on my behalf to remind me!

Jesus knows we are but human - He is also human - the miracle of incarnation, and he is interceding for us so that when we feel we are condemned, when we feel we have slipped too many times, when we hear the enemy whisper, you are not loved, you have someone interceding for you — Jesus!

— Trust the heart of Jesus when you trust him with all your heart. 

Conclusion 

We have security because of the love of God and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Bob has security because of the love of God and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. 

And though we are separated from Bob like my wife and I were separated from our daughter, we can have the security that we will be reunited not by a lovely elderly couple in an elevator, but by Christ Jesus — the One who died — more than that, who was raise — who is at the right hand of God, and who is indeed interceding even now for you and for me.