The Object Lesson – Stuck Like Duct Tape
When using duct tape or gaffers tape, there is nothing more frustrating than when the tape sticks to itself. At this point, you might as well throw the tape out because you are not going to get it unstuck. The adhesive is simply too strong. There is no way to separate the two pieces of tape again.
To help visualize this, simply take two pieces of duct tape and stick them together, and press them tightly. While you are talking, you can try to unstick them yourself, or ask a volunteer to come and and try to separate them for you. This is a simple way to illustrate what the Bible says about God’s love for us. God’s love for us is so strong that nothing can come between us and him. The bond the tape has is very nearly unbreakable, but it is nothing compared to the bond we have with God through Jesus.
Bible Lesson – Nothing Can Separate Us
Romans 8 is a joyful and triumphant text. For several chapters Paul has been writing about the consequences of sin and his own struggle with doing what is right, but in chapter 8 he simply overflows with joy. The reason for his happiness? The love and grace of God. This explosion of joy comes to a climax at the end of the chapter in verses 35-39.
Who can separate us from the love of Christ?
Can affliction or anguish or persecution
or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 As it is written:
Because of You
we are being put to death all day long;
we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.
37 No, in all these things we are more than victorious
through Him who loved us.
38 For I am persuaded that not even death or life,
angels or rulers,
things present or things to come, hostile powers,
39 height or depth, or any other created thing
will have the power to separate us
from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Despite his own struggle with sin, nothing was going to separate him from God’s love. Despite his opponents who wanted to kill or imprison him, nothing was going to separate him from God’s love. No matter what happened in this life, Paul was “stuck” to God with something much stronger than duct tape. He was connected by the unfailing power of God’s love.
The same is true for all of us who are in Christ. No matter how big the sin, God’s love is bigger. No matter how powerful our opponent, God’s love is stronger. No matter how tall the obstacle, God’s love is higher. There is nothing that can separate us from the love we have received in Christ Jesus.
Other Scriptures to Study
Here are some passages that speak about the power of God and the comfort we can find in his presence.
Psalm 103:15-19
Man’s life may be fleeting, but God’s love is from everlasting to everlasting.
John 10:26-30
Jesus says that no thief will be able to steal his sheep because the Father is stronger than anyone who would attempt to take us away.
