Facing the Worst First: Secure in the Love of Christ
"For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." —Romans 8:38–39
Unshakable Security in Christ
E. Stanley Jones brings out the boldness of Christian faith—it does not shrink from the hardest realities but meets them head-on. Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, does exactly this in Romans 8. He begins with the one thing most people fear: death. If anything could sever us from God’s love, surely it would be that. And yet, Paul declares with absolute certainty—nothing, not even death itself, can touch our union with Christ.
This is the audacity of the gospel. The world tries to soften reality, offering comfort through distractions and temporary pleasures, but Christianity does the opposite. It places the cross at the forefront, facing suffering, sin, and even death with unwavering confidence. If the greatest threat to human existence—death—has already been overcome in Christ, then every other challenge loses its power to intimidate.
A Different Perspective on Life’s Hardships
Consider a mountain climber standing at the base of a towering peak. To an outsider, the journey looks impossible. But the climber, trained and prepared, sees the summit as a victory already won in his mind. He does not wait for the climb to get easier; he faces the steepest ascent first, knowing that the hardest part conquered brings assurance for the rest of the way. Likewise, we are not waiting to see if God’s love will sustain us through life’s trials. The hardest battle—sin and death—has already been won at the cross. Every challenge after that is just another step in the victory we already possess in Christ.
Living in the Certainty of His Love
Paul leaves no room for doubt. The love of God in Christ is not fragile, conditional, or dependent on our circumstances. It is not threatened by spiritual forces, earthly troubles, or even the unknowns of the future. Our security is not in how well we hold on to Him, but in the unbreakable grip of His love holding us.
Since nothing can separate us from His love, we live with bold confidence—not as those wondering if we will make it, but as those who already have the assurance of victory. Whether facing death or the struggles of life, we do not waver. The worst has already been defeated. The love of God remains unshaken.
Prayer of Confidence
Father, we rest in the absolute certainty of Your love, fully persuaded that nothing can separate us from You. The cross stands as our proof that every enemy—sin, death, and fear—has been defeated in Christ. We rejoice in this victory, walking each day in bold confidence, knowing that Your love secures us forever. Thank You for this unshakable truth. Amen.
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Excerpt From: In Christ by E. Stanley Jones