Despite All These Things

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. [Romans 8.35-37]

Despite all these things... we have victory. That victory is in Christ.

At some point, in every believer's life, he or she must come to the realization that Christ is all. Period.

Few there be that can genuinely and confidently say, "Regardless of my circumstances, Christ is my all."

Instead, far too many "believers" have this attitude about God: "if He gives me what I want, then I will give Him what He wants (faith from me)." How can I say this? Because even when the strongest of believers experiences a loss, they are compelled to, at very least, privately feel like God somehow betrayed them, and, at worst, publicly turn completely away from God.

If Christ is everything to us - if we are truly seeking God's Kingdom above all else - then nothing but Christ matters! Not even a little bit. And, the thing is... God knows this.

In light of this, Romans chapter 9 can be pretty painful reading. Paul speaks of Pharoah and Esau in a way that is disconcerting at best. All the theological talk of predestination that emerges from the time Paul wrote Romans 9 until now is confusing, and, pulled from its context, can be interpreted to make life pointless as if we have no choice in the matter of our relationship with God. But then, chapter 10...

For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God. [Romans 10.4]

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” [Romans 10.9-11]

There are simply too many other Scripture references otherwise, namely from Christ Himself, that use the words, "anyone," "everyone," and "all who believe," for us to misinterpret what Romans 9 says by singling it out. The context of Romans 8-10 (from today's OYCB reading) is that Christ is all. Can I say it again? "Period!"

We are left then with one goal: Jesus Christ. We are to seek Him, live in Him, and let Him live in us. NOTHING ELSE MATTERS!

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. [Romans 8.35-37]

Despite all these things... 

Father, may my faith and trust in You be focused on Jesus Who is the not only the Way, but the only Way to You. I am like everyone else whose mind is bombarded with the lies of Satan telling me, "God is not fair," or, "maybe you're just not saved..." But may my response to Satan's lies always be the same: "I trust in Jesus - He is in me and I am in Him." My faith in Jesus keeps me always humble in my difficulties, never hesitant to repent and always retracting from pride. May I simply stay focused on Jesus and may He always be seen in me. So be it.