Fields United Methodist Church

Pastor Tom’s Weekly Blog.          “Your Conviction”              Romans 8:31-39

June 5, 2020

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:38-39

There are many things in life that can not only divert our attention from God but could also have us begin to question if God is around at all. In our world today there is a pandemic, racism, sexism, violence, hatred, and just uncertainty about what the future holds. The words of St. Paul in his letter to the people of Rome offers the affirmation that in the midst of everything that is going on in our lives, none of these things have the power to separate us from the very One who offers hope, wisdom, and the power rise above and overcome anything that would hinder our relationship with others and most importantly our relationship with God. As God was trying to get my attention and calling me into ministry, a sermon touched my soul where I could longer say no. It was based on Romans chapter 8 and over and over the preacher kept saying, “plant your feet on the high ground of the righteousness of God.” In other words, be fully convinced that the Word of God has the power to heal, and the power to overcome all things that would try to convince us otherwise. To be convinced, absolutely convinced, that there is nothing on this earth, no power so great, and no suffering so deep as to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Planting our feet in the righteousness (love) of God allows us to overcome all things that hinder our journey through life. Our conviction needs to run deep, to our very soul that our Risen Savior Jesus Christ is making good on his promise to be with “us always, even to the end of the age.” Be convinced, absolutely convinced that the love of God in Christ Jesus will never leave you and in fact carries you those times in life when nothing else can or will. God loves you too much to let you go and calls you to share that same love to the world around you; your conviction of the love of God does make a difference, a profound difference and is needed especially in times such as these. Thank you Jesus for your gift of love.

Rev. Tom Joyce, pastor

Fields United Methodist Church