Scripture: Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Thought for the Day: I have worked with numerous people in my ministry who, in their brokenness and pain, can provide you a long list of why they are separated from the love of God. They are quick to explain all their mistakes, flaws, sins and shortcoming. In guilt (often guilt imposed by others), they have become convinced that they are beyond the love of God. When guilt consumes people, and they no longer feel of value, it is hard to imagine a love big enough to redeem and reclaim them. Paul offers one of his most powerful lines when he offers this long list of things that are incapable of separating us from the love of God. Was this an exhaustive list? I don’t think so. He was writing on expensive parchment, and he was trying to give a broaden enough list to encompass anything anyone could imagine. Today, we are headed to the Museum of Modern Day Slavery (after the 11:00 service). So many women remain enslaved in a system of sexual exploitation, and one of the tools used by their captors (pimps) is to strip them of any self worth. They are often left feeling as if no one, including God, could love them. This is where our voice is so important. We need to join Paul and saying, “There is nothing in all of creation that can or will separate you from the love of God.”
Prayer: For your immeasurable and unconditional love, O Lord, I am grateful. May my gratitude find tangible expressions of this amazing gift. Amen.
SERMON: All things? ALL THINGS!
