“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
There is a great hymn, written by P.J. Owens, which speaks to us of the love of God, being an anchor of the soul. He writes: “We have an anchor that keeps the soul, Steadfast and sure while the billows role, Fasten’d to the Rock which cannot move, Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love.” The words of Owens have their basis in the unalterable Rock of Christ, according to His words, and the seal of His power and authority, the indwelling Spirit. The moment that the Father, by the Spirit, placed the believer into Jesus Christ, there was a complete, unalterable, finished work, accomplished in the believer, and confirmed by the manifest Life of Christ in the heart. The new man, or creation, in Christ was not only put in a position of invincibility but was established for time and eternity in a union with the Son of God by the Spirit, that will never grow old, decay, or diminish. Why and how is this so? It is because of the unalterable, complete, and finished work of Christ. His work on the cross accomplished for man a most extraordinary salvation, a great salvation, which touched every part of the lost sinner’s life. It is in the salvation of the soul, when all sins are forgiven, and the lost sinner is born of the Spirit, that Christ’s perfect work is realized, and will be fully manifested in heaven. The saved soul, having been made complete in Christ, and clothed with the perfect righteousness of Christ, indwelt by the living Christ by the Spirit, has also been hidden in Him. The moment the new man was born again was the moment that Christ’s work in resurrection power became not only true of the believer, but also, operative in his life. The new principle of faith in Christ, and the ever-increasing appropriation of Christ by the Spirit, would only serve to confirm a work in heaven, being revealed on earth. But what of love, and this inseparable love of which Paul speaks? If ever there was someone who had studied the profound meaning of love, its nature, characteristics, and power, it was the Apostle. The immense suffering, and hardship of the Apostle, served as a catalyst to move him to examine the depths of this love of God. He found it to be, as are all things in Christ, not of this world, for it has no rapport with sin. He found that, as the “gifts and calling of God are without repentance,” so is the presence and power of this love. Though because of circumstances and opposition by the enemy, there might not be the emotional experience of this love, he found it to be still present, unrelenting in its ability to encourage, lift up, and inspire the believer to persevere and overcome.
What are some aspects of this love which are foundational to faith? The first is the revelation of being justified before God, the believer being declared just and holy in the sight of God, because of the perfect righteousness of Christ given to him. This position in Christ of being just, and righteous, is secured, and guarded by God Himself. It is a position of being in His hands, with the promise, that, “…no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.” (Jn. 10:29)
The second great truth is that of “no condemnation” by God of the believer, His child, whom He has sealed with the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. Justified before God the Father in Christ, he is perfectly accepted in the Beloved, having peace with God.
The inseparable love of God in Christ is the anchor of the soul which is stronger than any and all enemies.
Dear Father, Strengthen our hearts to trust Thy love forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.