The Letter to the Romans: Nothing can separate you from God

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 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

It’s a funny question: If you were stranded on a deserted island, and you could only have one page of the Bible, what page would it be?

Even with thousands of options, Romans 8 always makes that list. 

The book of Romans could be one of most influential, important books ever written and Romans 8 is the crown jewel. It has so much truth about God, about salvation, about His Spirit, about a new life, about hope in suffering, about God’s love, that it’d take a lifetime to learn just how true and beautiful this one chapter is.

And look at how it ends—with a very personal and intimate promise.

God wants you to know that nothing could keep Him from loving you. Nothing can stand in His way: death can’t. Violence can’t. Nothing in the future or from your past can stop God from loving you.

You might feel like you really are lost at sea, but God says He’s there with you. Read Romans 8 and you’ll see that God has given us His Spirit to always be with us. To live with us. To feel our pain and replace it with His joy. His perspective. His company. You can feel at home with Him, even on the deserted island.

Who’s to say if someday in heaven we see reruns of our lives and discover that that night we cried to Him when we were driving home late and maybe a bit lost that He was with us—sitting in the seat beside us. And that worship song that touched us so deeply? He put it on our playlist. And the warm-hearted touch of that friend who sat beside you in church and then later over coffee, well, He led them to you.

He heard every prayer you’ve ever thought. He’s answered every one according to what was the best for you.

Let this beautiful truth drive you to His side. Next time you’re in the car alone . . . or at church alone . . . or lying in bed alone . . . put your hand on the space next to you and thank Him for being with you, just as He promised. Put your confidence in His words. Nothing…will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

Take the mercy, accept the help. Enjoy His company. Believe He is with you and that He loves you.

Next: Help for a complicated family life

Fast Facts about the Letter to the Romans

In a word: Salvation

In a sentence: 

These 16 chapters of Romans includes a systematic presentation of the gospel, explaining sin, salvation, righteousness, all available to those who put their confidence in Jesus Christ and His work on their behalf.

This letter, written by Paul to the church in Rome in 57 a.d. is central to what we believe about how we are saved by grace through faith.

Key verse: 

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” Romans 1:16

Glimpses of Jesus: 

In Romans, Jesus is the righteousness of God, the focus of the gospel, the means of salvation by God’s grace

5 verses from Romans to highlight in your Bible. (Be ready to share “the Romans Road to salvation”):

·       (Sin is everyone’s problem) Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

·       (Sin has consequences) Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

·       (The solution—Jesus Christ's sacrifice) Romans 5:8: "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

·       (Our response—Faith) Romans 10:9: "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

·      (Assurance of salvation) Romans 10:13:"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."