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St. Paul says nothing can separate man from God For this our final reflection, we consider the final verses of Romans, for many of these verses are some of the most hopeful in all the New Testament. Certainly as followers of the Lord Jesus, they are indeed uplifting words. Verse 31 "...if God is for us, who can be against us?" Very encouraging words, meant to have us look at those things in our life, that we might find distracting to our journey with Jesus. This verse would have us re-examine our views. St. Paul then reminds us of God's love for us. "He who did not spare his Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not give us everything else along with Him?" Indeed the truths contained within this question are obvious. Yet during the course of our lives, we can often become so "caught up" in the present that we forget these powerful words. Yet within them is the key to keeping our focus. St. Paul continues with several verses that remind us of the truth of God's love. He asks who will condemn us. God -who acquits us? Jesus who died and rose for us. Then St. Paul goes through his list of possible obstacles. He finishes with "...will be able to separate us from the Love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Indeed for St. Paul there is no outside power that can separate us from God. He truly believes that the Power of Christ can overcome all. He wants the Romans and us to stay "focused" on this truth. If all this is true then, what indeed can separate us from God? There is only one thing that can make this separation possible. This is our turning away from God. St. Paul is encouraging the Romans and us not to do this. For there is no reason to do so, the love of God and the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit will provide all the necessary strength to follow Him.
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