Conquering Your Crucibles Series

Conquering Your Crucibles

In the previous sermon, I discussed 7 Crucial Crucibles, which is a deeper dive into the situations described by the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:35.

Paul paints a pretty bleak picture. And then he transitions to make a daring statement. He says that “in all these things (previously described in v. 35) we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37 ESV

In the 7 Crucial Crucibles, I tried to highlight the specific texture of various trials that we might face. Paul goes on in v. 38-39 to describe other possible separators between us and the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, v. 39 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.” Romans 8:38-39 ESV

Paul pretty well covers it all. Just about any situation could probably fall under one of those headings. Let’s look specifically at what any possible scenario and the potential potency of that situation to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Paul states that none of the situations described “will be able to separate us.” Let’s look at a couple of these words to see what might arise.

#1–First Glance at Greek–“will be able” comes from dynamai (Strongs G1410 ?https://bit.ly/3SEUpzD). Dynamai is the verb describing the act of being able or having power. It is connected to the noun dynamis (Strongs G1411) which Paul uses in Philippians 3:10 with the “power of His resurrection.”

What is the takeaway with this glance at the Greek?

~Paul is saying that none of these things listed have the capacity. Capacity for what? The capacity to separate.

#2–Second Glance at Greek–“separate” comes from chorizo (Strongs G5563 ?https://bit.ly/49gLknK). Chorizo is the verb describing the idea of separating or putting apart. It is used in 12 different verses on the New Testament. Here are some instances that may be worth considering:

~Matthew 19:6 and Mark 10:9 both use chorizo to relate to marriage stating, “Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Mark 10:9 NKJV) One of the strongest unions possible is between a husband and a wife. Even stronger than that union (which is earthly and not eternal) between a husband and a wife is the bond between a believer and Christ Jesus as Lord (which is spiritual and eternal).

So, Paul gives every possible scenario at the end of Romans 8–just about anything you can think of–and then says that none of these will be able to separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

It is interesting that in v. 39, He does not simply say the love of God in Christ, but he finishes with “our Lord.” Why might that be significant?

One possible consideration is that not just anyone can experience the love of God in Christ Jesus. Paul adds “our Lord,” which is a qualifier for the union of the believer with the love of Christ, which is to say, Jesus as Lord.

Pause and Ponder:

Is there an area of difficulty in your life where you have not surrendered to the Lordship of Christ? Whatever the potential area might be, be it financial, physical, spiritual, relational, or mental. Is it surrendered?

Jesus is not a tool we put on the shelf and take down when we need a hand. The only way that we can be more than conquerors in any and all circumstances is if we are surrendered to Him as Lord in any and all circumstances. We do not allow anything or anyone to supersede His lordship in our lives.

And, with his lordship comes his love. It is a love that no one or not one thing can ever pull you away from.

The good news is this–as we surrender to Jesus as Lord in all areas of life and allow His love to permeate all parts of us–there is nothing in the entire world or universe that could ever pull us apart.

To God be the Glory.

Amen.