If this isn’t the best news a follower of Christ can receive, I don’t know what is. 

Paul tells us in Romans 8:38-39, “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, NOTHING in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Not even Satan himself can drive a wedge between us and our wonderful savior.  He’ll use our sin against us to convince us that we’re not worthy of his love, but 2 Corinthians 5:21 assures us that, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

And despite what many may argue, as children of God, we cannot, with our deeds–with anything we do–be in more right standing with Christ because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. Don’t allow Satan or any one person deceive you into thinking that’s even possible.

“Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.”

This concept is very simple to understand and the benefits are easy to obtain. As a child of the risen Savior, all you have to do is believe it and receive it!

Now, there may be an emotional disconnect between ourselves and Christ, but that’s self-condemnation, and that’s one of the biggest lies you’ll ever hear from the devil. Cling–cling I say for your very heart and soul–to the Word of God. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1).

Do not–and I repeat DO NOT–allow the enemy to convince you that your sin has rendered you worthless to God. That is exactly what Satan wants. He will spout of the venom of deception and try to convince you that God does not approve of you.

But you know what? Love and approval are two very different things (thank you Pastor Ed Garvin for your wonderful sermon last Sunday about Jesus and the Samaritan woman). Love is unconditional and everlasting. Approval is fleeting; it’s finite and it’s shallow. Unfortunately, many, including even the most ardent believers, have allowed the disapproval of others to mask the truth that God will never leave you nor forsake you.

“You are loved by and are in right standing with Jesus, no matter what you do”

You can view that sermon above, starting at the 6:00 mark. I compel you to watch the rest of it. You will be blessed and it could change your life.

If you’re hurting, discouraged or disappointed because someone has insulted you, called you worthless and told you your life will never amount to anything, please listen carefully to what Pastor Garvin has to say. You are loved by and are in right standing with Jesus, no matter what you do. That doesn’t give you a license to sin, because God does discipline His children.

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His children” (Heb. 12:5-7)

In this twisted culture, we have somehow connected love to approval, Pastor Garvin says. And, the enemy will exploit this. So many of us bear the scars of disapproval, but that comes only from man. And what can man do to you? Nothing. If God be for us, who can be against us?

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. (Prov. 29:25).

It’s the safety of the Lord’s love, and God’s love will NEVER leave you no matter what you do or don’t do.  It’s in God’s Word, all there in black and white. Trust these words, because you ARE loved. NOTHING can separate you from that. What great news!

And remember, do something today to step out of the boat and become a kingdom champion. “I press toward the goal to the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14)

Step Out of the Boat is a ministry created by Charisma Media Content Development Editor Shawn A. Akers and dedicated to help Christ followers to become spiritual champions and come to a more intimate relationship with Jesus. With its articles, podcasts and other forms of media, Step Out of the Boat encourages Christ followers to daily reach to a higher level in their calling. Shawn is a 35-year veteran sportswriter, a published poet and he published a story about Dale Earnhardt in NASCAR Chicken Soup for the Soul. You can read his blog here. You can also listen to his podcasts, the Javelin Sports Show, on the Charisma Podcast Network.