Steel is an alloy made up of iron with typically a few tenths of a percent of carbon to improve its strength and fracture resistance compared to other forms of iron (thank you, Wikipedia). Steel is high strength and relatively low cost, so builders use it for skyscrapers, ships, tools, rockets and my refrigerator.

You can’t grab a girder made of steel and tease out the iron from the other ingredients. Heat melted them together. Much like the Lord’s love for those who surrender our lives to him.

For I am sure the 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.

As strong a steel may be, I’ve seen steel girders twisted from intense heat. The love of God, on the other hand, stands the test of fire, as well as any test thrown at it. Nothing in all creation pulls that love away. His love melted into and through our souls.

An astounding promise for those who follow Jesus. I’m not worthy, but I believe that’s the point. Nothing can possibly cleave us apart from the God’s love because it doesn’t depend on us—it depends on the Lord of all Creation on whom we depend.

If you need a reminder of this profound love and care for you, spend a few days reading and re-reading Romans chapter eight. Let the truth settle. No matter what, nothing separates those who are in Christ Jesus from the love of the Lord.

Romans 8 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Luca Upper