Romans chapter 8 closes with some of the most encouraging words in the Bible. These verses have been referred to by theologians as the Golden Chain. Some chains are a source of captivity, and those are the chains that Jesus came to break. But some chains hold us safely in place, such as the chain that connects a boat to an anchor. As the wind and waves thrash against the boat, its position remains steadfast because it is connected to the anchor. That is the image I get when I read these verses.
There are no breaks in this chain!
The Golden Chain shows the link between our salvation, justification, sanctification, and ultimately our glorification. Once God begins the process in us, nothing can stop it. We can know beyond the shadow of a doubt that He will work all things out for our good. We have been chosen, called, and justified. With God as our Defender, no enemy can prevail against us. He loves us so much that He gave His Son for us, why would He not also give us all things? There is not one thing that can separate us from the love of God in Christ.
God’s saving work cannot be undone! We can be fully convinced because God has proven Himself time and time again.
The Golden Chain (Romans 8:28-39)
(with my added commentary in parentheses)
And we know (with great confidence)
That God causes (because He cares deeply for His children)
Everything (every single thing)
To work together (as a plan)
For the (eternal) good
Of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them
For God knew His people in advance (before we breathed a single breath)
And He chose them
To become like His Son (Christ-likeness is the goal.)
and having chose them (chosen)
He called them to come to Him (called)
And having called them
He gave them right standing with Himself (justified)
And having given them right standing
He gave them His glory (glorified)
What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? (Is there anything better?)
If God is for us (and He is!)
Who can ever be against us? (They will try, but they will not prevail!)
since He did not spare even His own Son
but gave Him up for us all (while we were still sinners without hope)
won’t He also give us everything else? (An abundant life and eternity in His presence.)
Who shall bring any charge against His elect? (None that matter.)
It is God who justifies. (That is all that matters.)
Who is to condemn? (None that matter.)
Christ Jesus is the One who died (The price for our sin has been paid and the punishment has been taken.)
More than that who was raised (for our victory)
Who is at the right hand of God (in His rightful place)
Who indeed is interceding for us. (Jesus is on our side!)
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? (Absolutely not!)
Not trouble or calamity
or persecution or hunger
or poverty or danger
or death threats
(or fill-in-the-blank)
No!
Despite all these things, overwhelming victory (We are super-conquerors!)
is ours through Christ who loved us (so much that He died for us)
And I am convinced (beyond the shadow of any doubt)
That nothing (Not one single thing!)
Can ever (Literally never!)
Separate us from God’s love (His faithful, everlasting, abundant love!)
Not death or life
Not angels or principalities (not even the Devil himself)
Not present things or things to come (No matter how bad it might get.)
Nothing in all creation (since God controls all creation)
Will ever be able to separate us from the love of God (His faithful, everlasting, abundant love!)
That is revealed in Christ Jesus or Lord. (That is why Jesus came!)
When the winds and waves start to batter your soul, allow these incredible promises to anchor you to your Savior.
