About half a year ago, I agreed on a preaching engagement on this topic "Eternally Loved" and the text is taken from Romans 8:28-39.
It did not occurred to me that I was also in the midst of the course on the book of Romans.
As I reflect on the text of Romans and also confirming with various commentaries, I am amazed that God loves me so much. The reflection of Paul in v38-39 is the confidence that all believers should have and experienced.
Romans 8:28-39 (NASB95)
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
33 Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies;
34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."
37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
What are some points that I have reflected?
1) The consistency of life's challenges: They are always there. However, as God's people, we have God on our side and that He works all things good for us who loves Him. We can have the intervention of God as people who has an on-going love for Him.
2) The consistency of God's love: God's love is not only an everlasting love to us but also a consistence love. It is shown in the example of the giving of His Son. However, we need to receive that love. It should not be a surprise that God's people can know His love and yet not experience or receive that love.
3) The consistency of God's plan to restore the image of God in man: Jesus Christ, the express image of God (Heb 1:2-3), came as the firstfruit. God's plan of conforming us to the image of the Son is a restoration of His image in man, which was tarnished in the Fall. What an amazing God we have! We are valuable and loved by Him.
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