Romans 8:37-39 (NIV)

Romans 8:37-39 (NIV)
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, 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.


Paul, who spent quite a bit of time in prison, did not see himself as a loser, but as a conqueror. In sports they talk about the swagger of a team or an individual that has done well in their field. The conversation usually turns to the fine line between pride and confidence. They would say if Tiger Woods or Michael Jordon, in his day, would say something about winning it was not pride, but confidence because they have won championships. Is Paul bragging or does he just have some swagger because he has seen what the Lord can do through a life that is yielded to Him? Paul's confidence came because of his experience and his knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul knew from experience that the Lord was with him in the bad times and the good times. As you read verses 38 and 39 you can tell that this was not a contrived confidence, but a real belief that God and Jesus are real and are present. God was present with Paul and is now with us as well, through the power of the Holy Spirit. The connection for Paul was the love of God. In verse 37 and 39 Paul brings it down to God's love for us and nothing will separate us from that love. Does God love you? If God loves you would He abandon you? Is that not one of the reasons that this chapter is on the Holy Spirit? To help us understand that the Spirit has been given to help us experience His presence and His power? Who are you? No really, take a little time today to reflect on this question and let God speak to you.

Our confidence in Christ does not make us lazy, negligent, or careless, but, on the contrary, it awakens us, urges us on, and makes us active in living righteous lives and doing good. There is no self-confidence to compare with this.
Ulrich Zwingli (1484–1531)