(Romans 8:35 MSG) Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way!
This morning we continue our series entitled, “Re-Energizing Your Prayer Life,” by continuing to discuss The Love Factor. One of the most effective ways satan stifles the prayer life of a believer is by getting the believer to question God’s love for them. If you ever get to the point where you question God’s love for you, then your prayers will be stripped of any power. Like I taught yesterday, prayers that are birthed from love and bathed in love are prayers that will be prayed with confidence and responded to by Love Himself (God).
We all have struggles. Paul admitted to dealing with an inner struggle that I believe we can all identify with, the conflict between wanting to do right and the actual act of performing it (Romans 7:14-25). Paul then went on to give us hope in the opening verses of the 8th chapter by letting us know that our life in the Spirit can overcome the desires of the flesh. It is in this 8th chapter that we find the focus for this morning’s message. After teaching us to live victoriously in the Spirit, Paul goes on to explain that we can get a great deal of confidence in life when we are rooted in the reality of God’s love for us.
Paul writes, “Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing – nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable – absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us” (Romans 8:35-39).
I could easily spend a week teaching on these five verses, but I won’t in this series. Please read that passage a couple of times and allow the Holy Spirit to solidify the height and dept of His love for you in your heart. Absolutely nothing can stop God from loving you. You did nothing to make God start loving you and nothing you can do will make Him stop. Now, don’t take this the wrong way. This is not a license to sin. God loves you just he way you are, but He loves you too much to leave you that way. Remember, this passage of inseparable love is found in a chapter where Paul is teaching on living a Spirit-led life. As you are led of the Spirit you will get to the point where you no longer question God’s love for you; and at that point your prayer life will be transformed forever!
So what does this mean to you today? It means that the reality of God’s love changes everything, including your prayer life. The assurance of God’s love for you breeds a confidence that money can’t buy and the devil can’t steal. God loves you with an inseparable and inexhaustible love. The God of the universe takes the time to love you personally and intimately. Once you settle this reality in your heart you will be able to face every day with a quiet conviction that enables you to overcome any obstacle and you will pray with an unshakable confidence; fully believing that the Father hears you and that He will respond to your prayers.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for solidifying Your love in my heart. I know You love me and that knowledge breeds an inner confidence that cannot be shaken. I enter into every day with the reality of Your love. The assurance of Your love enables me to resist every inkling of fear, fret, doubt, and unbelief. Your Word says that perfected love casts out all fear. I have no fear in my heart, because my heart is full of Your love and Your love has driven all the fear away. I can now pray with love-based prayers with fearless confidence; knowing that You hear me and You respond to my prayers of faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
