There Is A Hope!!!

After the passage we covered yesterday, I got thinking about the hope we have for our lives. We don't have to be in the low points of life to realize it, though. I was searching for a passage of hope to share and the chapters we have been studying on Wednesday nights came to mind.

Let's look at Romans 8:31-39..."What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (32) He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (33) Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. (34) Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (35) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (36) As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. (37) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (38) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Right off the bat, we are given one of the greatest lines ever..."If God be for us, who can be against us?". How many times has that line been used in church fellowships or gatherings as a "battle cry", if you will, to offset the thought of insecurity? And, rightfully so...with Him on our side, why should we be insecure in anything?

As we continue, we are reminded that if God were willing to give His Son on the cross, why would He withhold good from us? Through the blood of Christ, we have a freedom that many will never know. Is this a freedom to live a life of sin? Look at Romans 6:15..."What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid." It is a freedom FROM a life of sin, right?

Verse 33 gives us a peace in that when others are hurling their insults and accusations at us for the lives we live, remember..."It is God that justifieth".

Skip down to the last couple verses...is there anything that we can do that will separate us from the love of Christ? Can you name something? Anything? Right...that's assurance!!!

How can you apply these verses to your life today? How have they been an encouragement to you? Share your thoughts...

And, please let me know if you have a special prayer request I can word on your behalf!!!