Romans 8:34-35, Who shall Separate Us from the Love of Christ?
Romans 8:34-35 (KJV) 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
The believer’s life is filled with many trials and temptations described as distress, persecution, famine, destitute of convenient or decent clothing, danger and even violence. But none of these can separate him from Christ’s love for him. What a powerful truth that still every aching heart. Often, he feels as if this is the end. He will not go through this impasse. But he needs to realize that he has a Sufficient High Priest, who will help him. He finds strength with God through prayer.
Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Our trials and temptations need not separate us from our eternal inheritance since Jesus Christ can continue to support us by providing mercy and grace (4:14-16) all the way to our ultimate reward when Christ’s returns. What a comfort and assurance it is to realize that Jesus Christ Himself is praying for us!
Our Lord Jesus Christ is doing for His people the work which the Jewish high-priest of old did on behalf of the Israelites. He is acting as the representative, the mediator in all things between His people and God. He is ever presenting of His perfect sacrifice on their behalf, and His all sufficient merit, before God the Father. He is ever obtaining daily supplies of fresh mercy and of grace for His poor, weak servants, who need cleansing for daily sins, and daily grace for daily necessities.
Remember Pilgrim was at a fireplace and he saw a man pouring water to extinguish the fire, and somehow the fire continues to burn. Puzzled, Pilgrim was brought by the Interpreter to the back of the fireplace where he saw a Man pouring oil. The Interpreter told Pilgrim; this is Jesus, He is pouring the oil of grace, by His intercession before the Father, to supply the needed grace to keep the fire burning.
May God strengthen you this day! Amen.