Romans 8 contains some of the most comforting verses in Scripture, and yet, I find my soul strangely uncomforted, either by Paul's words or by Oswald's. Paul's list of things which cannot separate us from the love of Christ -- trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword (verse 35), death, life, angels, demons, the present, the future, powers, height, depth, or anything else in all creation (verses 38-39) -- seems pretty comprehensive, but I wish he had listed me specifically. Me -- for it seems the real trouble lies within. Can I separate myself from the love of Christ? Can my jealousy, rage, self-absorption, apathy, conceit, laziness, rebellion, despair and desire for control separate me from the love of Christ? Can I turn my back on him and walk away? I know the doctrine about the perseverance of the saints. I know Jesus' promise from John 10 that no one can snatch us from his hand . . . but can we tear ourselves away? I also know the passage about working out my salvation with fear and trembling and the one where Jesus separates the sheep from the goats in Matthew 7. He turns to those who thought they knew him and says, "Away from me, you evil doers. I never knew you." We are admonished to wear the armor of God and bear the fruits of the Spirit, to guard our hearts and forgive our brother. What if we don't? Can I separate myself from the love of Christ?
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