Romans 8:35-39

Read Romans 8:35-39 

Helpful Background Information:  

• Romans is one of the New Testament books written by Paul around 56 A.D. During this time, the idea that justification by faith alone was being argued against. The Gentiles  believed that faith saves BUT you can still live how you want because God will save them no matter what. On the other extreme, the Jews believed that faith saves BUT you must still keep the Jewish Laws. Paul wrote Romans to address both Jewish and Gentile believers to help them understand that salvation is truly by faith alone!

• To understand what the whole of chapter 8 is talking about, look back to chapter 7:25. Paul says that ‘I serve God with my mind but my flesh serves the law of sin’. But, 8:1, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! What a beautiful reminder as we head into war with our flesh—we are set free because of Jesus. With our freedom in Christ we know that he is working for our ultimate good (to be made perfect for glory) in all situations.

  • There is so much that can be said about this amazing chapter but to focus our attention on Esther, read the verses for today again and  think about how it would apply to Esther’s story.

• In Esther’s time, she had every right to think that the God of her fathers was failing her. AND YET—God never forgot His people, He had a plan that would save Israel in the midst of uncertainty. No matter how big or small, obedient or disobedient, God was still upholding His faithful promise to His people. Paul ends chapter 8 with a declaration that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
  

Reflection Questions: 

• When do you think Esther would have agreed with the words from Romans 8:35-39 in her story? Why do you think that?

• If you believe that the God of Esther’s time is the same God you serve today, how should this change your thinking when affliction, hardships, persecution, hunger, lack of daily needs, danger, or threats of death happen in your life or to the world around you?

• The Gentile and Jewish believers knew that faith saves however they added something else. Take some time to reflect, do you believe that "faith saves but"? 

• Esther 9:20-22 is about the Feast of Purim where the Jews would turn from sorrow to gladness and from mourning to a holiday. Jews still observe this Feast today. How can you take a day to celebrate the fact that nothing will separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus?