As Christians, much of what we believe fits into a “now and not yet” category.
We have God’s promises and good gifts today, yet await their greater fulfillment.
One reality we wrestle with is that Jesus Christ, through His death and resurrection, has defeated sin, death, and the devil, yet we still feel their effects daily.
Romans 8 beautifully captures this tension.
Creation still groans, waiting for humanity to be fully restored as its caretaker. But Paul offers encouragement, reminding us that Jesus is always with us and for us.
“What shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. What shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
These are bold words and beautiful promises. Nothing can separate you from Christ’s love or remove you from His sacrifice on the cross. It is finished, and it was done for you.
The Lord has redeemed you and taken your sins away. You are His.
Yes, it doesn’t always feel like it — our emotions are a rollercoaster, with good days and bad days.
But thanks be to God, our salvation isn’t dependent on our emotions. It’s a promise, a hope, a sure and certain reality because Christ has accomplished it.
A day is coming when there will be a new heaven and new Earth where we’ll care for the new creation with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit forevermore.
God loves and cares for us just as much today as He will then.
Steve Andrews Jr is pastor of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee’s Summit, MO.
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