³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Convinced? That sounds rather personal, does it not? Should Paul instead say something more authoritative-sounding, like, “I, as a God-appointed apostle, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, proclaim as absolute truth…”? To say “I am convinced” sounds less commanding—but only if you misunderstand the nature of inspiration. Paul made it clear that he was in fact writing as “an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God” (Rom 1:1). God was using his personality and writing style, as he did with the other human authors of Scripture. The phrase “I am convinced” reflects the method of reasoning Paul has used throughout the epistle, leading the reader to agree with his own logical conclusion. The conclusions he presents are inescapable; the logic leads to truth. And when penned by an apostle recognized as writing with scriptural authority (see 2 Peter 3:15-16), it carries the weight of God’s authority.

We emphasize this so no one can miss the point God is making through Paul’s writing. Absolutely nothing can take away the security we have in Christ. We belong to Him; He has loved us and will continue to love us. Nothing can possibly change that. Unapologetically, we embrace that divine truth that we believers—who are justified by God not through our own effort or merit but by His grace, working through faith—are eternally secure in our justification. Some mock this as “once saved, always saved”—but we gladly accept that as gospel truth. We cannot lose our salvation—precisely because it is not ours to lose. Our salvation, our justification is something God has done, not what we have done. He cannot lose what He has found. And therein is our security.

Paul could not be any clearer. Read the verse again. Now some would say that a person could separate himself through egregious, willful, unrepentant sin. But notice that the passage says, “ … nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God.” I myself am included in “any other created thing.” This is the Word of God! This is our security. This provokes in the true Christian a desire to not live a wanton, callous life. Rather it removes fear as the primary motivator for life, and replaces it with security and gratitude. For which we cannot say enough, “Praise God.”

Lord, I praise You for the eternal security I have in the grace of my Lord Jesus.