Romans 8:36 As it is written, “For Your sake we encounter death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
As a follower of the King of Kings, I must admit that I want HIs almighty power to come to my aid. I want protection, blessings, and justice. This seems to be common, as many people jump past Romans 8:36 and quote verse 37: “…in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” We want to be conquerors, not sheep on the slaughter block, so we avoid the full context and meaning of “in all these things.”
“Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will trouble, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For Your sake we encounter death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ Yet, in all these things we are more than conquerors…” (verses 35-37)
More than conquerors. No trial cannot separate us from His love; no matter what. Therefore, as branches deriving our strength and character from the Vine, His love should continue to flow through us, in the midst of distress, persecution, danger, or even harm. That is how we are more than conquerors! That is the big challenge for me. It is hard enough to accept the role of sheep destined for slaughter, but even harder, to face the trials with the attitude that was in Jesus. I fail to respond in love when someone treats me unkind! I don’t foresee the world getting more kind, so it is time for all of us to begin training for the big “marathon.” We need the power of His love to conquer our weakness, our pain, and our refusal to be considered lowly sheep.