“None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing – nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable – absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love ...because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.”
Some unions are held together with such force that, in spite of their dissimilar essence, they remain bonded for life. I’m told good wood glue forms a bond stronger than the original materials. I am in awe of great marriages between two unique individuals who said (and meant) “till death do us part.” Each one promised “I do” and they both did!
Certain friends seem inseparable: Laurel and Hardy, Abbot and Costello, Jack and Jill, Penn and Teller, Hall and Oates, peanut butter and jelly, Beavis and Butthead, Captain and Tannille, Starsky and Hutch, Lone Ranger and Tonto, Batman and Robin, Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Greenjeans.
‘Dynamic duos’ form partnerships that inspire hope in those of us who still believe that ‘two can be better than one’ and, in some cases, ‘two can become one’ (Genesis 2.24). It’s a unity of essence that cannot be separated.
My youngest girl and her mother were like that. When she was four years old, Rachel was her mommy’s shadow. She insisted on a constant verbal and physical connection. She would be seen, heard, and known. Rachel wiggled between us every time I tried to hug my wife. She had to have her mother. They were inseparable until the day our precious wife and mother died of Leukemia nearly seven years ago. I dearly loved this woman, and still do. Rachel was only thirteen when her mother went to heaven.
David and Jonathan, Paul and Timothy, Ruth and Naomi were inseparable…
“Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. I will go wherever you go and
live wherever you live. I will die where you die and will be buried there. May the
LORD punish me severely death if I allow anything but death to separate us!”
Ruth 1.16a, 17 NLT
“Absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love.” Thanks to Him, Jesus and me are forever inseparable.
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"Inseparable" is the title of Dan Bowles' photo of two candles and used by permission above. Dan's photostream can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/danpb/.
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2 comments:
Wow! Romans 8:37-39 is an amazing promise!
Dave, I have a question about verses 12 - 14. In verse 13 is he talking to believers who don't turn from the sinful nature? My understanding is through apostasy, salvation can be lost. What about "believers" who are aware of their certain sins, but don't change their behavior? Thanks!
Hi Jeff,
I lean more towards "once saved, always saved" (John 10.28), however there is scripture to indicate otherwise. I assume that if a person "loses" his salvation, then it was likely that, although he may have had the appearance of a believer, he was never truly saved in the first place.
If it is possible for a real Christian to lose his salvation, then it can only happen once. There is no such thing as repetitively going back and forth (Hebrews 6.4-6).
Most believers continue to sin but the Holy Spirit tweaks our conscience and we express sorrow to the Lord. We grow from our experiences of failure, especially when we find the humility to admit our wrong. This is how we (slowly) become better and more fulfilled humans. Our journey of faith is a process of sanctification that will culminate at the transition between temporal life on earth and eternal life in heaven.
Hope that helps.
Dave
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