Promises

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE:

On January 6, 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed Congress as to the state of the war in Europe. Most of what he said that day has been forgotten. However at the close of his address, he said that he looked forward "to a world founded upon four essential freedoms."

1. Freedom of speech

2. Freedom of worship

3. Freedom from want

4. Freedom from fear.

Of course these ideals have never been realized anywhere in the world.

The verses in the closing part of this chapter contain some of the most comforting promises in all of Scripture. Believers have always had to face hardships in many forms. These could cause us to fear that we have been abandoned by Christ. However, Paul explains that it is impossible to be separated from the love of Christ. His death is proof of His never ending love, and nothing can stop Christ’s constant presence with us. God tells us how great His love is so that we will be totally secure in Him. Regardless of fault, cause, action or inaction, whatever you do or do not do, God will always love you. He is impartial, and He sees beyond the circumstances of the moment. He loves you both completely, and equally. He has no favorites. He will not take sides; He will view every situation in accordance to what the Bible says.

As a Christian we can be free from fear, because Christ as our Savior intercedes for us, and we cannot be separated from His love. We should never fear life or death (v. (v. 38). Death cannot separate us from His love. Death only ushers us into His presence in heaven. Someone might ask, “Can life separate us from His love?” Again the answer is No. Jesus said, "Lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world" (Matt. 28:20). Jesus Christ’s love is not something with conditions attached to it. In other words, He does not say, "If you do this, I will do that." Nothing can separate you from His love! Believe this fact and rejoice in it.

APPLICATION:

There is absolutely nothing I can do to merit salvation. God’s Word makes it plain that "For by grace are you saved through faith, that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8,9).