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Timothy: Romans 8:31-39
God’s Everlasting Love

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32 Truly He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up on behalf of us all, how will He not freely give all things to us with Him?

33 Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? God is the One justifying!

34 Who is he condemning? It is Christ who has died, but rather also is raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession on our behalf.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

36 Even as it has been written, “For Your sake we are killed all the day; we are counted as sheep of slaughter.” Psa. 44:22

37 But in all these things we more than conquer through Him loving us.

38 For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

[Literal Translation of the Holy Bible]

Dear God, my Beloved Father, I offer You words of praise and gratitude for all the goodness You have brought into my life, even since the time when I was not obedient to You yet. You have saved me from death many times during war and peace because You love me and knew that one day I would obey You. Today, I am not only saved by You but also used by You to build Your Church among the Vietnamese people. I am very grateful to You. May my life always please You. Thank You for the new day You have given me with the Eternal Living Word of God. I ask Christ to strengthen my physical body, and the Holy Spirit to enlighten my mind as I reflect on the Word of God. I thank Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Dear Father, I would like to present my understanding of Romans 8:31-39. I understand that this is a very special passage in the Bible that affirms God infinite and everlasting love for Your people. When we understand and believe in the love of God, nothing can separate us from that love, not even the difficulties, trials, and persecutions in our lives. No power can keep us from the love of God.

Dear Father, I understand verse 31 to mean that when God is for someone, He stands with them, protects them, defends them, and cares for them. However, God is not for everyone, only those who accept the Gospel of Salvation and then live a life of faith and obedience to Him. God is Almighty, and when He is for someone, no force can oppose them.

Dear Father, I understand verse 32 to mean that You love humanity so much that You sacrificed Your Son, Jesus Christ, to bear the punishment of sin for all of us. Those who truly repent of their sins and believe in the redemption of Jesus Christ are saved and become Your children, co-inheriting Your inheritance with Christ, which is the entire creation of God and the Everlasting Kingdom.

Dear Father, I understand verse 33 to mean that no one can accuse Your people, not even Satan, who is known for accusing. For the Triune God has declared them righteous when they truly repent of their sins and believe in the redemptive death of Christ.

Dear Father, I understand verse 34 to mean that only God has the power to judge, but He does not judge those who have believed in the redemptive death of Christ. Even if Your people sin due to their lack of knowledge, unintentionally, or in a moment of weakness, they can still be forgiven and cleansed of their sins if they sincerely repent and confess to God. This is affirmed by the Holy Spirit in I John 1:9.

Dear Father, I understand verse 35 to mean that You love us, Your people, and have entrusted us to Christ. Christ loves us and sacrificed His life for us. The Holy Spirit loves us to the point of jealousy. The love of the Triune God always covers us, and nothing and no one can separate us from it. Although we will face difficulties, suffering, and persecution in this world, we will face hunger, thirst, and a need for clothing, even danger from natural disasters or war, we will never be separated from the love of Christ. Christ still loves us, and we will never stop loving Him.

Dear Father, I understand that verse 36 means that the world hates those who belong to Christ, and they are often persecuted. Even in the United States, a country that values freedom and democracy, Your people are still discriminated against and persecuted. The statement “For Your sake we are killed all the day; we are counted as sheep of slaughter” is true both literally and figuratively. Many of our brothers and sisters are killed in Islamic and Communist countries. Even in countries considered civilized, advanced, free, and democratic, the dignity of our brothers and sisters is destroyed due to false accusations, oppression, and being deprived of their human rights.

Dear Father, I understand that verse 37 means that through Christ, we remain steadfast in faith and rejoice even in times of suffering for the glory of God. We are honored more than those who have victory in this world because their victories are temporary and fleeting. Our triumph in every situation is eternal because it is based on our faith in Christ. Even if we die for Christ’s sake, we know that we will live with Him forever.

Dear Father, verses 38 and 39 are a wonderful declaration for every child of God. We need to memorize and proclaim them when facing adversity: “For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” Amen!

Dear Father, may the Eternal Living Word of God nourish our faith, bringing peace and joy to all Your people. I thank You, my Triune God, for Your everlasting love.

In the grace of Jesus Christ, my Lord.

Timothy Christian Huynh
03/27/2023