Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Romans 8:38-39
Death is Over-rated
The Apostle Paul would almost seem to be taunting death where he writes, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting” (1st Cor 15:55)? I’ll tell you where the sting went. Jesus took it. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, death was like a honeybee that stings only once and then dies because their venom sacs, lancets, and stylus is pulled from their abdomen and left in your skin. For the children of God, death is like an old honeybee that’s lost its stinger. It can’t hurt you anymore. Death can’t sting twice. Thank you Jesus!
No fear of Death
In Romans 8, Paul is absolutely convincing by telling them (and us) that nothing in life can separate us from God’s love. What does that mean? Those whom God loves will not be separated from the God Who loves them. Nothing in this life can prevent it and even losing our life can’t stop us either from being in the presence of the Lord (Rom 8:38).
Nothing in Creation
The promise of Scripture is that nothing in all creation (Rom 8:38b) will be able to separate us from God. That means powers, principalities, angels (fallen ones), men or women, and not even death can prevent us from being separated from God. Nothing in creation is any match for the hands of God and so Jesus reminds us, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand” (John 10:28-29).
Conclusion
My friends, if you are going through some times of doubt or know someone who is, camp out in Romans chapter 8. It is the centerpiece of the Book of Romans in the sense that gives the believer assurance. It begins with “no more condemnation” (Rom 8:1) and closes with no possible separation (Rom 8:38-39).
