179. ROM 8:35-39. THE TRIUMPHANT BELIEVER

Rom_8:35-39. The Triumphant Believer

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" &c.’97Rom_8:35-39.

Observe in the text, an Important Interrogation. A Triumphant Enumeration And a Glorious Conclusion.

Notice,

I. An Important Interrogation.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" Now the interrogation is intended to denote that nothing shall be able to effect this. It is a sort of challenge. It is a confident assurance that Christ and the believing soul are inseparably united. This will appear obvious, if we consider,

1. The intense and unparalleled nature of Christ’s love.

Its eternal origin. Its manifestation when we were utterly worthless, "ungodly." Its amazing devotedness, and the inconceivable sacrifices it has made for us. Brought Christ from heaven to earth. From a throne to the cross. From glory, and riches, and bliss, to poverty, ignominy, and death. Consider,

2. The strong declarations of his love, as recorded in his word.

"Father, I will that those whom," &c. Joh_17:24. "My sheep shall never perish," &c.; Joh_10:27, &c. "Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them unto the end," Joh_13:1.

3. The unchangeableness of his nature.

Christ’s love is a love of character, and it never varies nor declines. He is immutably the same, yesterday, today, and forever. Like the great Father of spirits, without variableness, &c. Observe,

II. The Apostle’s triumphant Enumeration.

Here the apostle refers to the most peculiarly afflictive dispensations; and triumphantly asks if any of these shall separate the believing soul from Christ’s gracious regards.

(1) Shall tribulation? Those peculiar troubles arising from the assumption of the Christian profession. "Through much tribulation."

(2) Shall distress? Being in the most perplexed and straitened circumstances, not knowing what to do, or where to look.

(3) Shall persecution? From friends. From foes, secret or public.

(4) Shall famine or nakedness? Temporal destitution.

(5) Or peril? Living in countries where the professors of the Christian religion are proscribed. Worship Jesus at the peril of the severest terrors of the ruling powers.

(6) Or sword? Martyrdom. The sharp, glittering, keen-edged sword of the executioner.

(7) Or being every moment in jeopardy? "Killed all the day long, accounted as sheep for the slaughter." Nay, none of these, nor yet all these combined, shall destroy the believer. Notice then

III. His glorious Conclusion.

"For I am persuaded," &c. Here he refers,

(1) To death. However terrific its mode

(2) To life. However deep and bitterly wretched it may be.

(3) To angels. Demons. Fallen spirits, however powerful, numerous, malignant, and intent upon our ruin.

(4) To principalities and powers. The governments of the world. However cruel their legislative enactments. However violent and bloody their opposition.

(5) To things present. However numerous, combined, and terrible they may appear.

(6) To things to come. Though the night of sorrow should darken a thousandfold. Afflictions however multiplied.

(7) Nor any other creature. Whatever may have been omitted in this description shall never have the least effect "in separating us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." So far from this,

1. We shall assuredly be conquerors.

The victory is sure. The prize certain.

2. Yea, more than conquerors.

Conquer all. Conquer to the end. Conquer without any loss. Yea, conquer with immense gain. "All things shall work," &c. "These light afflictions," &c.

3. Through Christ, who hath loved us.

Through the guiding influences of his Spirit. Through the supplies of his grace. Through his upholding, protecting, and preserving power. He is the Captain of our salvation.

Application

1. Let the subject inspire the Christian with cheerfulness and hope.

2. With humble dependence on Christ. It is all to be effected "through him." See Paul, 2Co_12:9.

3. With the necessity of earnestly and diligently using the means which Christ has appointed. Especially watchfulness, prayer, faith, and obedience.

4. And finally, let us see to it that we do not abandon Christ’s love, and people, and cause. For he saith, "If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." Heb_10:38.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS