Devotionals

Victorious Through Christ's Powerful Love

by Cheryl Weber
11/28/23
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The apostle Paul, author of Romans, lived in a day when many Christians were being slaughtered: torched, beheaded, crucified, torn by lions. Paul, himself, eventually faced martyrdom. Yet in Romans 8:35-39,  he bookends a laundry list of suffering with a declaration of Christ’s love, a love so powerful it makes him and all faithful believers “more than conquerors” (verse 37 KJV) in the midst of such things. He portrays this love as an inseparable part of who we are in Christ, as a force coming between us and our pain.

This love compelled Jesus to leave the glories of heaven to live in a fallen world with us. It was this love that enabled him to endure the cross, despising its shame (Hebrews 12:2). He knew his purpose here, who he was, and Whose he was. When he rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, he sat down in the place of honor at the Father’s right hand (Hebrews 10:12-13); his victory became our victory through our faith (1 Corinthians 15:57). 

Paul endured every one of the trials listed in verse 35. Yet he experienced the might of Christ’s love and presence as far greater than the suffering and the evil that wanted to destroy him. Like Christ, he knew who he was in Christ and Whose he was. In 2 Timothy 4:7-9 he declared that he had fought the fight and kept the faith and looked forward to receiving his “crown of righteousness.” 

We too can experience the power of Christ’s loving presence in the midst of hardship. We can fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 2:12) knowing we aren’t just soldiers celebrating certain victory (1 Timothy 2:3), but beloved children of our Lord and God (1 John 3:1) and co-heirs with his Son Jesus (Romans 8:17). Our “light and momentary” afflictions won’t last long compared to eternity and they are earning for us incomparable glory and a great reward. (2 Corinthians 4:17, Revelation 2:10) 

PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for the power of your love. Help me to rest in it and remain faithful to you through life’s trials. AMEN.