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Safe in Christ

Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIVUK)

Christians will have enemies, but none of them can pull us away from Christ.  The 'last enemy' is death (1 Corinthians 15:26) … but for the redeemed, that is just the doorway to life in all its fullness (John 10:10).  Angels do not want to pull us away from fellowship with God, and demons are not allowed to (John 10:28).  We need to keep reminding ourselves that there is no place on earth which is outside of God's authority (Psalm 139:7-12) where His grace does not operate.

That just leaves us with the trials of life.  Yes, Satan deceives us and says that God does not care ... but that is a lie: not true at all.  Quite the opposite: we know that God cares because "This is how God showed his love among us: he sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him." (1 John 4:9).  And our life now, as believers, is the opportunity for the world and devil to see that we are held and strengthened by God's love.  We may fall, but He does not let us be totally defeated (Psalm 37:24), and as we repent, He will restore us.

The Apostle Paul was totally confident that the love of God, operating through the sacrifice of Christ, is stronger than any enemy. God will not throw us out of His hand and Satan cannot pull us out.  Therefore, we must not walk out!  We are so safe, but that brings a relationship responsibility.

If our security is due to His love, ought we not to love Him in return?  Or do we despise His love, relying on it as a spiritual parachute as we squander our love on idols?  That should never be.  His loving patience is designed to woo us away from false gods towards repentance so that we might experience the fullness of His love again (Romans 2:4).  Instead, we should express our thanks in praise and obedience.

Prayer 
Loving Heavenly Father. Thank You for loving me, and never giving up on me. Wherever I go in life Your love is around me and even in death Your love will carry me over. I am sorry when I have listened to the lies of Satan and gone my own sad way in an attempt to feel loved. Please forgive me and restore me so that I might know Your love more deeply, praise You more gladly and obey You more sincerely. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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© Dr Paul Adams