Romans 8:38-39 NIV
8For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither 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.
I am reading Romans, the book written by the apostle Paul-again! This book is so rich and meaty that it would take quite a bit of study to extrapolate all of it’s nutrients. I am not a Bible scholar, nor do I have enough training in exegesis to be able to adequately do the study of Romans any justice. However, in my humble and Holy Spirit dependent study, I pray that my observations might inspire you.
In the photo above the parent lion is separated from it’s child by a fence. I don’t know why they are separated, I do know it is painful for both of them! When we are separated from our parents as small children, it is an anxiety producing experience. I remember when we would first try to leave our children in the very capable hands of a Sunday School teacher for the first time, it was a crying scene! Until the child became comfortable with the new person, then it was fine to leave them, and they often just walked away forgetting we were even there.
Paul reminds us in Romans that God loves us so much that nothing can separate us from that love. Much like a parent with a wayward child, God’s heart aches for the one ‘behind the fence.’ But why is the one behind the fence separated if God says nothing can separate us? I believe God ALWAYS loves us, just as we love our natural children. I know I can only go for so long without talking to my children, and Mom for that matter, before I begin to feel anxiety over the lack of communication. He always loves us-no matter what. But, our own sin may keep us ‘behind the fence’ because as a perfect God, He cannot condone sin! And, once we be come comfortable in that sin, it becomes more difficult to change our behaviors.
God, our Heavenly Parent, clearly outlined the rules we must follow to be able to have sweet communication with Him, on His side of the fence. When we have sinned against Him, when we have not talked to Him in prayer, I believe we cause Him distress. Not to mention the fact that our own stress level having a ‘fence’ of sin separating us from our Father! Caution, knowing that God will always love us, no matter what we do, does not give us the permission to live as we want to, ignoring the law of the Father. But rather we should be even more aware of the grace He gave us and be respectful of His requests. When we do that, we have free reign in our Father’s house. We have fellowship of the Holy Spirit, and the grace and forgiveness of the Son! I, for one think life is much more pleasant and productive, less stressful and more accommodating to others, when we know our Father loves us, and He has a standard we need to live by. When our earthly parents ‘lay down the laws’ for us, we know they love us and want what is best for us. Even more our Heavenly Father wants us to have what is best for us and put up parameters to ensure our safety. Separation is not pleasant. It never has to happen with our God, follow the law and live on His side of the fence!
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