"The Security of God's Love" (Part 2)

Believers WILL endure - nothing can jeopardize the believer’s glorification (vv. 17, 18, 30; Romans 5:1–2 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”)

Paul writes this for acknowledgment, encouragement, joy, hope, thankfulness, zeal, etc. (Romans 5:3 “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings… ”)

Three acknowledgements...

We have a constant (vv. 35, 37, 39).

Stated (see verses 35, 37, 39) - What is the constant? - God’s love.

Defined - affectionate giving (affection, benevolence, good will, charity)

Proven (vv. 32-34; Romans 5:5–8 “and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”)

Motivation - reason for all He does for us (Ephesians 2:4–5 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—”)

Unchanging - God won’t stop loving us (1 John 4:8 “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”)

We are more than conquerors (vv. 35-37).

“Separate” - divide away from, remove from - What is the answer to the question in verse 35? No one.

Threats personified - tribulation (affliction), distress (difficulty), persecution (purposeful oppression), famine (hunger), nakedness (basic needs unmet), danger (risk of harm), sword (death by). These are the realities of life on earth (not exhaustive, representative).

Paul gives an example (v. 36) from Psalm 44:22 where the psalmist confesses what life can be like even when being faithful to God. God’s people will face life threatening situations, and they will even be killed for their commitment to Christ.

“We are more than conquerors”/ “we overwhelmingly conquer” - one word used only here meaning to “prevail completely,” ultimate victors; a victorious army that has defeated all foes

“In all these things” - what must be faced; what will be conquered

“Through…” - only way this could be true; and why it is certain

We can be confident (vv. 38-39).

As Paul was - “sure”/ “convinced” - certain, fully persuaded. And he had faced them all (2 Corinthians 11:23–28; 2 Corinthians 12:10).

Paul emphasizes this with a list of extremes - death nor life (nothing in this life or after), angels nor rulers (no personalities with power or authority over us, Ephesians 6:12), things present nor things to come (now or ever), nor powers (any authority or force), height nor depth (in any places, from heaven to hell), anything else in all creation (anything other than God Himself, nothing left out).

There are many real and powerful forces, but none can even come close to defeating God and the agenda of His love (v. 31).

This is how convinced Paul is, and how convinced we can be.

And the reason for it all, again - “the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ephesians 3:14–19 “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”)

God’s love will keep you.

This should encourage you, especially when life is difficult.

Benediction: Romans 11:33–36 “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”