| Love Displayed
by Joni Eareckson Tada |
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| “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?…No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 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, 37-39 |
| “This is a verse I’m supposed to believe,” we say with a sigh, full of doubts. It sounds more like theological doctrine than practical reality, especially when we are the ones facing trouble, hardship, danger, or sword. But the apostle—who, incidentally, suffered a lot more than persecution or famine—wrote this sweeping statement specifically for those who would doubt the love of God in the midst of hardships.
Look at the last eleven words: “the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” If ever we are tempted to doubt God’s good intentions, if ever he seems to be an uncaring deity sequestered in an ivory tower untouched by pain, we must remember the love of God that is in Christ. Christ who bore the weight of sin, the sting of spit, the bite of the whip, the accusations of ignorance, and the sufferings of the world. This is love poured out like wine, as strong as fire. This is love never to be doubted or betrayed.
Thomas Merton said, “In order to suffer without dwelling on our own affliction, we must think about a greater affliction and turn to the cross.” If you are questioning the love of God because of a disappointment or trial, turn your eyes upon Jesus. He is the love of the Father in the flesh displayed. When Jesus hung on the cross, God was saying, “I love you,” and nothing can separate you from that.
If I’m tempted to doubt your love today, Lord, place before me the cross. |
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| Taken from More Precious than Silver
By Joni Eareckson Tada
Copyright © 1998
Published in Print by Zondervan, Grand Rapids
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible: New International Version. |
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