"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." (Rom. 8:35,37)

More than conquerors. Paul's explanation of how we can surpass the greatness of champions and grandeur of heroes relies completely on Christ. How is it possible that when we feel defeated, we are more than conquerors? We must "suffer grief in all kinds of trials" ( 1 Pt. 1:6), in order to be molded into the image of our Savior. Since it is "through Him who loved us," conquest and victory are always within our grasp if we are following Jesus wholeheartedly. Tribulation triggers tenacity. Distress develops dedication to our Deliverer. Persecution promotes persistence. Famine forces a hunger for God alone. Nakedness nurtures humility and a willingness to be clothed with Christ. Peril produces a desire to cling to the Father for our very lives. The sword attempts to kill, but we are rescued by the One who loves us more than we deserve and even more than we love ourselves. So, who or what shall separate us from Christ's immeasurable love for us? No one and nothing. "In all these things," we must hope and trust in His love alone to shield, protect and sustain us. The "fellowship of sharing in His sufferings" (Phil. 3:10) is a challenging yet vital course yielding a spiritual championship victory.

Father, show us a greater vision of Your love in the midst of our trials as You conform us to Christ's image. By Your grace, help us to run the race set before us in the victorious style of a champion for Your glory. Amen.

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