December 25, 2021

                                                         Week Four / Saturday

Overcoming the Fear of…

Being Unloved

 

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.       – Romans 8:38-39

Have you ever doubted God’s love for you? I know that at times I have struggled with this question, particularly when my sinfulness & imperfections leave me feeling exposed.

It is during these times I take comfort in the story of Adam & Eve after their rebellion towards God found in Genesis 3. In this passage of scripture, we find Adam and Eve hiding from God, having been confronted with their nakedness & aware of their shame.

In their condition, God's response to them is one of love. He called them and brought them out of hiding. The point here is that God didn’t allow their sin and shame to separate them from His presence; but rather, His loving response was to make a provision to clothe their nakedness.

Paul begins Romans chapter 8 with “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...”  What we read in Genesis of God clothing Adam and Eve was a foreshadowing of Jesus’s sacrifice. Jesus clothes us in his righteousness. There is no longer any shame or condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

It is this truth that leads Paul to declare at the end of Romans 8 that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. He clothes us in His righteousness and has pursued us in love to be in a relationship with Him.

In what ways do you fear being unloved?                  

 

Read Romans 8:38-39 one more time.

• What does this scripture tell you about God?  

 

• What does this scripture tell you about your fear?

  

Prayer for Today:  Thank you, Jesus, that You have pursued me in love and clothed me in Your righteousness. Help me to remember that nothing can separate me from Your love.

 

Written by: Jim Pilgrim

Sunday Morning Tech Team