Next in our 12 scriptures series, we come to Romans 8:28-39. Within this passage, Paul names a number of things that are important for our faith and may serve as encouragement on our journey. First, Paul names that we are called. Second he reminds us that Christ is interceding on our behalf. And third, Paul comforts us with imagery of how inseparable we are from the love of God.
These truths alone are an encouragement to our faith. But they are also formative for us in our journeys when we allow these truths to shape the ways in which we live out our faith. We are called and thus compelled to answer. Yes, we have choice in how we answer, but the call has been sent forth and we are compelled to respond. And though we have the option to decline because of our free will, we should also recognize as we see in the lives of many Biblical heroes that it is not a simple as saying "no;" because God continues to pursue us and to call us. Through this often gentle, yet persistent call; God compels us to live into our calling.
Additionally, Christ intercedes on our behalf and as Paul names in this passage those that have been called are also to be conformed to the image of Christ. It is a comfort for us to know that Christ is interceding on our behalf. But more than this, it should also be an example for us to be interceding on behalf of others. At one level, this needs to be a spiritual effort in which we are in prayer to God for those who are in need both spiritually and physically. But at another level, this also needs to be on a temperal level in which we are interceding on behalf of those who are in need. We should be out there providing aid to those who are without and we should be calling for justice for those who are without it. This begins locally but extends globally.
Finally, we are inseparable from the love of God. Yet I wonder, "Do we demonstrate the same depth of love to those who are around us?" If we are to conform to the image of Christ, I think that His love should extend through us; yet I fear that we sometimes allow much more mundane circumstances separate our love for others than the ones that Paul lists as being unable to separate us from the love of God.
As you consider the love of God, reflect on these questions
in a time of silence, through journaling or in group dialogue.
1. How have you experienced God's call in your life? Did you readily accept this or was acceptance part of the journey?
2. Describe a time in which you became aware of Christ interceding on your behalf? How have you interceded on behalf of others?
3. How has a knowledge of God's inseparable love shaped your faith or the ways that you have interacted with others?
4. How is God calling you to live more deeply into the realities in the week ahead?
5. How might God be calling our congregation to be more deeply formed by these truths?
May Jesus richly bless you in this week ahead, leading you in His kingdom purposes. Amen
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