“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.” Romans 8: 38 NLT

As I held the small wooden cross in my hand its construction suddenly revealed a spiritual truth.  No matter how hard I may try to separate the cross beam from its vertical beam, it was impossible. And so it became clear to me; just as those two beams were permanently sealed, so was my redemption, and salvation in Jesus Christ. God’s love sent His Son to the cross, and God’s love keeps us saved through our faith in what He has done.

The vertical beam represents Christ’s intercession and appeal to God on all sinners’ behalf. While the horizontal beam represents all mankind. With Christ’s outstretched arms He carried the guilt of all mankind’s sin and paid the ultimate price, through death on the cross.  As He was stretched out for all to see, He received our punishment while praying for our forgiveness.

Once a person believes and confesses Jesus Christ died on the cross and believes in His resurrection to give us eternal life, then their salvation is sealed, and nothing can snatch that individual away from God’s love.  Christ’s sacrifice made possible a permanent attachment between the believer and God, reconciling the one who confesses this truth with the Father, eternally. (Romans 10:8-9)

“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”
Ephesians 1:13-14 ESV