8:34
Absolutely no one is in a position to condemn. Indeed we ourselves should never get in the accusing role. Satan is the accuser, so if we start accusing all we are doing is Satan’s work! Now that does not mean we do not make any judgements, it does not mean we ourselves never do anything wrong and never need correction, it does not mean others never need correction. Paul is talking about accusation, condemnation here, as opposed to justification. The blood of Jesus covers all sins, it is sufficient to justify anyone. Moreover, He was raised to life and is seated at the right hand of God where He is interceding for us. Earlier we read of the Spirit interceding for us (8:26), now we read of the Son interceding for us. We all have a great prayer team!
8:35
Having dealt with condemnation Paul turns his attention to circumstances and what people or events can do to us. Notice that he does not say bad things can never happen to us, indeed Paul had experienced many bad things in his life. Rather he says that none of them will or can separate us from the love of Christ. There is a superficial Christianity that says that only we have enough faith nothing will go wrong, true Christianity focuses on our relationship with Christ, on His love for us. Our confidence is in God’s love for us, His relationship with us. Notice the vast range of things covered by the little list that Paul gives. Trouble or hardship covers things that just happen, the circumstances of life. Persecution covers the deliberate attack on Christians. Famine, nakedness cover really serious circumstances. Danger or sword cover real threats in our life. Whatever the danger one thing we can be sure about is that it will not separate us from the love of Christ. So if we are facing difficulties today we should put our focus on our relationship with Jesus, asking the Spirit to deepen our awareness and appreciation of His love for us. In that way we will overcome.
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