How is your relationship with God? Do you connect with Christ? Are you communicating with God on a regular basis? Do you only reach out when you are in trouble, fearful, filled with anxiety, or in dire need? Do you know you are loved by Christ?
Our relationship with God depends as much on us as it does God. Just like any relationship, we must put an effort into it. If we are unwilling to work at it, God will not force us, even though he desires us to be in close relationship with him.
However, there is one thing we can be sure of—God loves us…no matter what. Have you truly pondered that? God loves you! In fact, he loves each and every person who walks this earth. He desires that every person chooses to love him back and be in relationship with him.
The Apostle Paul asks rhetorical questions in today’s passage. Just a few verses later he answers his rhetorical questions with an emphatic declaration that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. That means no matter how many times we fall to the temptations Satan throws at us, Christ will still love us.
Yet, that doesn’t give us license to be obstinate and disobedient. Christ desires that we love Him back, appreciating His sacrifice for us. Can we relate? I’m sure we can. When we do something extremely difficult for someone else, we also want them to appreciate what we have done. Why would we think Christ would be any different?
Just as a parent loves a child, even if that child falls into a drug or alcohol induced stupor, Christ loves us. If that child commits grand theft, a parent still loves them. If the child commits murder, the parent still loves them. Sure, they may admit they deserve punishment, but they love them.
I pray we all know that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. I pray we choose to be in relationship with God. I pray each one of us appreciate His sacrifice for us and return His love. Know that Christ loves you. Choose a relationship with God. Love Christ as He loves you.
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
Marty Pressey 