Nothing Can Separate Us
By Shauna Leis
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:35, 38-39
Do you remember the old game that we used to play out in the yard, “Red Rover, Red Rover?” Children would stand in two lines facing each other and would link arms or hands. Then, you would call out to an individual on the other team by saying,
“Red Rover, Red Rover, we dare Shirley to come over.”
Shirley would then break free from her own team and would barrel across the distance, choosing a set of linked arms or hands very carefully. You would always try to pick the area that you thought was the weakest set of the links. Shirley would slam into the linked arms with her own body weight, trying to break the chain. If Shirley was successful in breaking the links, then she would take one of the competitor’s team members back to the other side to be a part of her own chain. If Shirley was not successful, then, she was absorbed into the links on the other team.
Now eventually, when children would play with the same kids over and over again, you would know where the weakest links were and would target those places over and over again. Eventually the other team would be reduced to nothing and would be completely absorbed into the other team – effectively ending the game. When playing with children that you were not so familiar with, then it was a bit difficult to determine where to strike first to try to break the chains and separate the two teammates. But we would watch and learn from other people’s mistakes.
Let me be one to say to you today, dear one, the devil, our enemy, knows us like no one else knows us. Never doubt for one minute that he does not know our weaknesses, failures, or shortcomings. He has spent time walking up and down that line, testing each and every link along the way. He knows them; he studies them; and he longs to use those failures to make us ineffective for the kingdom of God. He spends time prowling up and down that line of defense that we believe we have weaved so carefully around ourselves. Sometimes we have even tricked ourselves into believing that our weaknesses are hidden or private where no one else can see them. Trust me on this one, Satan KNOWS.
However, when we are linked arm and arm with the most high God, even Satan’s best schemes will be thwarted. Read again the Scripture above found in Paul’s letters to the Romans. Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God. Satan will attempt to destroy us, but he knows that once we have been sealed by God, we can no longer be dragged into the pit of hell. One thing he does know, though, if he can make us completely ineffective for God’s kingdom, then we will certainly not be influencing anyone else to cross over to our side.
Now, how does he accomplish these schemes? Well, a couple of ways come to mind. First, he tempts us enough that we stumble and fall into a pit of sin. When we are wallowing in that pit of sin, we are obviously not witnessing to others about God’s love and mercy. Second, he convinces us that because of our previous sins or other weaknesses in our lives, there is no way that we can ever be used to sway others that God forgives and loves all people. Precious friend, God can use each and every one of us to further His kingdom no matter where we have been or what we have done.
Let us consider for example the same author of Romans. Paul (when he was still Saul) persecuted and murdered the early Christians for their belief in God. It was only through a spectacular encounter with God on the road to Damascus that Paul was convinced of his wrong-doing and pledged his life to bring people to God, instead of turning them away. In Colossians 2:1-3 Paul writes, “I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Paul knew that God’s desire was for us to never be separated again. God wants us to know His Son deeply and intimately. We, as sinful people, have been separated from our most holy God because of our sin, but Jesus through His sacrifice bridged that gap and allowed us access back to the Father again. Will you allow Jesus to fill the gap for you today? God so wants to be with you today!
Pray with me: DearGod, we do not want to be separated from You any longer. We know that we are sinful creatures and that our sin has separated us from such a holy and righteous God. We acknowledge our sins before You and ask Jesus to be our Lord and Savior. We ask Him to cleanse us from all our sins and fill us with His Holy Spirit. You are so incredible! God, we love You so very much and pray all of this in the precious name of Your Son, Jesus Christ! Amen!