Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Is Trouble a Gauge?

(NLT) Romans 8:35-37
Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? [36] (As the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.") [37] No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

Romans chapter 8 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. I've heard and preached many sermons from it. The last verses tend to get believers pretty excited. We are more than conquerors through Christ, but back up a minute. Look at the second sentence in the 35th verse again. "Does it mean that He no longer loves us if we have trouble...?"

Bad things happen to all of us. One pastor we had said it like this, "Jesus didn't say life would be easy. He said you would have abundant life. That just means you'll have a lot of it along with it's trouble on this world, but be of good cheer, Jesus overcame this world."

Trouble doesn't mean His love is lacking. Trouble is an opportunity to see His love in action. It is an opportunity to watch Him carry you through. It is an opportunity to be His hands in helping others through.

No. Trouble is not a gauge for measuring God's love. It does, however activate a gauge of your trust in God. How you respond to trouble shows what you really believe.

Today, when trouble comes your way look at your response. Then compare it to what you say you believe.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr.

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