Nothing Can Separate

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39.

This is my favorite verse because it says there is absolutely nothing which can come between me and the love of my Lord. Nothing. Not even self.

Like many of us, I am continuously plagued by self condemnation over my past mistakes. Some, I have made before my decision to serve Christ and slowly, sometimes painfully, I am learning to overcome them. But the mistakes which bother me the most, are the ones where I feel as though I have let the Lord down. Whenever I do something which is in direct conflict with what I know He expects of me, satan pounces on me and does a number on how unworthy I really am. I start to feel like a failure, as though there is no hope for me. Especially when I keep doing the same thing over and over and over again. “Where is your victory now?” The enemy viciously whispers in my ear and laughs at my distress. I begin to feel defeated. This is exactly where the enemy of my soul wants me. I know with Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, I am a new creation. Hebrews 10:17 says that He will remember our sins no more.

Romans 8:1-2 says that there is no condemnation for those who live their lives for Christ. When I give into self condemnation, I become a less effective witness for the kingdom and satan has done what he set out to do. I have taken my eyes off Christ, focused on me and my failures, and allowed myself to become defeated. I lost the power I find only when I look upon the source of my strength.

There are many passages which are written to give us a fighting chance in the war we as Christians face. One of these is Ephesians 6:10-18. Paul is a wonderful inspiration to me and I read his letters again and again. I find encouragement in the fact that he knew what self condemnation was. He also knew who the source of his strength was. We share the same Savior.

I find the eighth chapter of Romans to be a study in justification. I believe that Paul, of all the apostles, had more self condemnation to overcome than any of us. The guilt which must have plagued him at times would have made any of us crumble. He deliberately set out to destroy Christianity. He wanted to persecute all the saints. In the Christian community Saul of Tarsus was considered an evil force. Acts 9:1-2 says that he asked for permission to persecute the followers of Christ. It didn’t matter to Saul who they were.

After Saul’s conversion, Ananias was told by God to go to the house of Judas and lay hands on Saul that he might receive his sight. But look at what Ananias says, “...Lord I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on his name.” Acts 9:13-14. Afterwards he went on to give his life to spreading the gospel. Yet strong as his witness was for Christ, still he suffered privately with this thorn in the flesh. No doubt some saints were leery of his conversion. I am sure the mistakes of his past must have plagued him, much as my past continues to haunt me.

While I was taking part in a bible study at the Omaha TFC Chapel, Chaplain Dave Hertle brought to my attention, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. Dave pointed out the possibility that perhaps the thorn in the flesh Paul was referring to, could very well have been self condemnation.

I never had a problem forgiving others, nor am I the type to hold a grudge. But I have the hardest time forgiving me, for all the stupid things I’ve done. I also find it difficult to share my testimony with others because I still have a difficult time talking about the past. I spent a great deal of my teenage years doing whatever it took to punish myself and hurt my family. And trust me, I was good at that. I am so grateful for The grace of God, because He forgives me even when I cannot.

I challenge you to read Romans chapter eight. Yes, that’s right, all of it. I challenge you further to memorize it if you can. It is a powerful tool in the fight we face against our mortal enemy. When satan pitches his fiery darts of accusation at you, it is to your benefit to hit back with scripture. No better argument exists for the benefits of scripture memorization than what we find in Matthew 4:4,7,10; Didn’t our Lord Himself rebuke satan with the word of God. Jesus repeatedly said “for it is written...” We would do well to heed the example and claim the victory Christ gave us.

Then the devil leaveth Him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto Him.” Matthew 4:11.