Security In Christ
Every Sunday (or Saturday night), we ask each other, “so where are we going to church tomorrow?” We decided to go to Dan’s parent’s church because that congregation has been so incredibly supportive through all that has been going on. Little did we know that the message by Pastor Anderson, would be so timely. When I looked at the title of the sermon, it was “Our Wonderful Security In Christ,” based on the passage Romans 8:31-39.
This is what it says:
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[a]
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[a]
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
What I am going to say is just relaying what the pastor said. I cannot take credit – granted I will add my own thoughts on how it relates to our situation, but we know we were so meant to be sitting in that pew today!
As verse 31 says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” I would say that for awhile, it felt like many were against – it felt like we were fighting a constant battle with what we thought God was telling us to do. Then it was Dan’s suspension. Then it was Dan being fired. We just did not understand – but we knew it was our faith in Christ, that would carry us. We know that GOD is for us and is working out His GOOD in us. We just had to trust. Christ is constantly interceding for us – even to the point of death. God sent His own Son so that WE may have life!
NOTHING can separate us from the love of God – no hardship can ever do that. As the pastor said, we shouldn’t be surprised by trials – we will CONQUER them! Just hearing the word conquer, just gives me chills. He also said “It may look like we are losing, but we are conquering. It may look like to the world that we are losing.” I sometimes think about all that has happened and it seems surreal. Sometimes it felt like we were constantly losing. Sometimes there was nothing more we could say or do – we just had to live with it all. We just had to live with the peace knowing God will see us through our trials. To the world, it may seem like God is not a gracious and loving God. But I am here today to say that GOD IS LOVING. Yes, there were times when we told God we didn’t know what to say or pray. But God knew what was on our hearts – He could read them and continue to work on our behalf. Now THAT is a loving God!
Death can’t separate us from His love. The death of children can’t separate us from His love. Nothing in the future can separate us from His love. That is security as the pastor said. In a time in our life when nothing seems to be certain, it God’s unconditional love that IS certain.
There was a story that the pastor told us that really hit home to us. I will probably butcher it a little bit, but I will try to relay it as best as I can. In Hawaii, Monday night football is aired at a different time because the games are played in the continental U.S. Well, somebody couldn’t wait to see the game, so they would check the final score before it would air, and then watch it later. While watching, there would be fumbles, interceptions, and touchdowns, but this person could always say “oh, it’s okay because I know who wins the game.” How much MORE is that true in our own lives? As pastor said, we know who will win the “game” – Christ has already won it! We know who wins! We know that we are living for a greater purpose – our eternal home. So when all the “fumbles and interceptions” happen (trials and hardships), we can look at them and say “but we know the ending!” We know that all these trials are momentary like I said yesterday. As long as we keep the perspective of Christ, we can live in peace knowing who has won – who we will spend eternity with.
It is worth it. When Dan and I were driving to church today, we said this is right where God wants us. In saying that, it is still hard. It is still hard to think that this summer we will not be holding our children. We miss our youth group kids so much. It is hard to leave the house we established as our home. But we know that where we are right now, is right where we are supposed to be. As I started to tear us yesterday, Dan said “Kristin, we will get through this together.” Ah. I am married to the most beautiful man of God. He is so protective, loving, giving, and just wants to do God’s will – what more could I ask for. Yesterday as we left our house to start our life at Dan’s parents, we drove separate and I couldn’t wait to get out and just ask Dan for a hug. He has been so wonderful! It has been an adventure, but we will get through this together, with God as our goal.
It is no mistake that we were at Dan’s parent’s church today. We couldn’t wait to tell the pastor how timely his sermon was! That is all God! We are so thankful we do have security in Christ. Security of His love. Security in knowing He has conquered the world!
A new week is here. After we are done with our house (which we will hopefully finish up tomorrow), we will start a new chapter in our life. This week will be spent getting organized and memorizing where all of our stuff is :). Also changing our address and all that jazz. I am going to back to work, which I am so ready for. I am ready for life to get a little back to normal. It’s hard b/c I wish life were different at times, but I am ready. Dan has some exciting things coming up this week too, so we are ready. Ready to keep moving forward.
How wonderful it is to have security in Christ!
