Nothing Can Separate 不能隔绝
Dexu Xia
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Romans 8:35
When Pris’ father, a pastor, answered God’s call to pioneer a mission on a small island in Indonesia, Pris’ family found themselves living in a rundown shack once used to house animals. Pris remembers the family celebrating Christmas sitting on the floor and singing praises while rainwater dripped through the thatched roof. But her father reminded her, “Pris, just because we are poor doesn’t mean God doesn’t love us.”
Some may see a life blessed by God as one that’s filled with riches, health, and longevity. So in times of hardship, they may wonder if they’re still loved by Him. But in Romans 8:31–39, Paul reminds us that nothing can separate us from Jesus’ love—including trouble, hardship, persecution, and famine (v. 35). This is the foundation for a truly blessed life: God showed His love for us by sending His Son Jesus to die for our sins (v. 32). Christ rose from death and is now sitting “at the right hand” of the Father, interceding for us (v. 34).
In times of suffering, we can hold fast to the comforting truth that our life is rooted in what Christ has done for us. Nothing—“neither death nor life . . . nor anything else in all creation” (vv. 38–39)—can separate us from His love. Whatever our circumstance, whatever our hardship, may we be reminded that God is with us and that nothing can separate us from Him.
How can you remind yourself that nothing can separate you from Jesus’ love? How can knowing this truth change the way you respond to life’s challenges?
Heavenly Father, open my eyes and heart to understand more of Your love, and help me realize that Your love is enough for my life.
谁能使我们与基督的爱隔绝呢？难道是患难吗？是困苦吗？是逼迫吗？是饥饿吗？是赤身露体吗？是危险吗？是刀剑吗？—罗马书8章35节
丽丝的父亲是位牧师，他回应了上帝的呼召，到印尼一座小岛去开拓事工，携家带眷地住进一间曾用来畜养牲畜的茅草屋里。丽丝还记得有一年全家坐在地板上，一边唱着赞美诗欢庆圣诞，而雨水一边从茅草屋顶滴落的情景。但父亲却提醒她：“我们虽穷，但并不代表上帝不爱我们。”
可能有人以为，蒙上帝赐福的人就会拥有财富、健康，并且延年益寿，以致在艰难时期，他们便会怀疑上帝是否仍然爱自己。但在罗马书8章31-39节，保罗提醒我们，无论是患难、困苦、迫害、饥饿，或其他任何事物都不能使我们与基督的爱隔绝（35节）。真正蒙福的人生乃是奠基于：上帝表明祂对我们的爱，差遣祂的爱子耶稣为我们的罪而死（32节）。基督从死里复活，“现今在上帝的右边”为我们代求（34节）。
在遭遇患难时，我们可以紧抓住那令人宽慰的真理，那就是我们的生命是奠基于基督为我们成就的一切。“无论是死、是生⋯⋯是别的受造之物”，都不能使我们与祂的爱隔绝（38-39节）。无论环境如何或遇到何种困难，愿我们能心中谨记，上帝与我们同在，没有任何事能使我们与祂隔绝。
你要如何提醒自己，没有任何事能使你与耶稣的爱隔绝？这个真理如何改变你应对人生挑战的方式？
亲爱的天父，请打开我的心、我的眼，让我更明了祢的爱，也明白祢的爱丰盛有余。