The second reason why there will be no separation from the love of God is the impotence of everything, when set over against the sovereign love of God toward us in Christ Jesus. What are things, when set over against God? Paul talks about a number of things that might tend to separate us from that love. He talks about sin in verses 33 and 34. Who can bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? Who is going to be able to do that, if God by His love has provided for our redemption?
Yesterday we concluded by looking at the first reason we might have for being defeated. The second reason is found in verses 17 to 25, where Paul talks about our present sufferings. These discourage us. How are we to know that these will not drag us down? A sinful nature is bad enough. It is within. But, in addition, we have problems without.
In other words, our natural state is not neutral. Our moral condition is not that of a tabula rasa in the sight of God, a blank slate upon which we can write negative or positive thoughts, good or bad ideas, condemnation or no condemnation. We are already under condemnation, because we carry within us a sinful nature and are born under the curse of Adam. When we have the opportunity to express this nature, as we do every day of our lives, we express it inevitably by opposing God and running from him.