The Love of God
Paul said, “Nay, in all things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Rom. 8:37). He then catalogues things that cannot affect Christ’s love for us.
The Love of God abounds.
The love of God is unaffected by our conditions of life. (Rom. 8:38) A “thorn in the flesh” does not mean that Christ does not love us. It may best that we have problems so that we may not be “exhalted over much.” (2 Cor. 12:7) The grace of God can make perfect our weakness. (2 Cor. 12:9) Even in death Christ has not forsaken us. Death does not affect the soul for which Christ died. In death there is only a change of the condition of the soul from an earthly abode to a spiritual realm.
The love of Good is unaffected by the order of things. (Rom 8:38) “Neither . . . angels, nor principalities, nor the things present, nor things to come” will cause Christ to cease loving us. Trials may lead us nearer or away from Christ. Whatever may be our burdens and problems he still loves us.
The love of God is raised above the power of time. Neither things “present, nor things to come” will affect the love God for us. His love is constant. Christ loved us even when we were sinners–that is the reason he died for us.
The love is God is present everywhere. “Neither height, nor depth . . . shall be able to separate us from the love of God.” God is and he cares. He is not like a helpless idol nor a sitting Buddha.
It would be wonderful if our love for Christ was as firm as his love for us. God loves us but he hates sin. Sin can separate us from God. It is idle talk to say we love God and do not what he says. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” (1 Jn. 5:3)
Robert Notgrass