John Stott comments on this section of scripture: "This is the love of God which was supremely displayed in the cross (5:8; 8:32, 37), which has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (5:5), which has drawn out from us our responsive love (8:28) and which in its essential steadfastness will never let us go, since it is committed to bringing us safe home to glory in the end (8:35, 39). Our confidence is not in our love for him, which is frail, fickle and faltering, but in his love for us, which is steadfast, faithful and persevering."
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
THINKING: QUESTIONS AIMED AT OUR MINDS TO HELP US UNDERSTAND GOD’S WORD.
Compare verse 1 and verse 39 of Romans 8. What do you notice? What do the “bookends” of this chapter tell us about the primary theme?
What threats does Paul list here that attempt to separate us from the love of Christ?
FEELING: QUESTIONS AIMED AT OUR AFFECTIONS TO HELP US LOVE GOD
How can those being “killed all the day long” (8:36) be “more than conquerors” (8:37)?
How does the love of God in Christ speak to the perplexities and troubles that come against you?
DOING: QUESTIONS AIMED AT OUR HANDS TO HELP US LIVE FOR GOD (PERSONALLY, COMMUNALLY, AND MISSIONALLY)
Think about “these things” (37), and how they apply to you and people you know. Why might people facing such difficulties think they are separated from God’s love?
In light of Romans 8, how should we respond when we/others things that diffficulty means separation from God’s love?
What hs God done in your own life as you have walked through this chapter?
