LEARNING DAILY

 

Romans 8:28, And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those called according to His purpose.

 

I know this is a favorite verse for many people.  This verse when read with the verses before and after offer great encouragement to all Believers when we are enduring the trials of this life.  It is telling us that God will bring good out of the afflictions, trials, and even persecutions and sufferings that many are facing.  A pastor comes home from ministering God’s Word in Canada to find his home has been burned to the ground; this verse means he can find good in the tragedy.  Knowing he is about to move to another city to serve another church, and knowing certain things had to happen before the move was made, he chooses to trust God and believe that everything He allows is for a reason.

 

Perhaps we reflect on only negative things with this verse.  Notice the statement says “all things”.  It is in all the circumstances that happen in our life – both good and bad – that God is conforming us into the image of Jesus Christ (read verse 29).  Too many preachers speak that when a person gives their life to Christ, he will no longer have health problems, no longer have financial troubles, or no problems at all.  Let me take a side trip here and tell you to stay away from theses preachers!  No, God uses the circumstances we face to teach us, to refine us.

 

There needs to be a word of cation made when we talk about ”all things”.  Sin and negligence are not included!  No one can excuse sin by saying God will work it out for good.  The Bible tells us to put “to death the deeds of the body” (Romans 8:13).  In Romans 6:13 we are told “not to present your members as instruments of sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.”

 

Read the verse again.  Did you see that this verse is limited to those who love God and have submitted to Him through faith in Jesus Christ?  To love God is to have a great desire to be like Him, to conform to the image of Jesus Christ.  It is to find enjoyment in His presence, worshipping Him, being in His Word, and being with His people.  It comes from being “called according to His purpose”.  All Believers in Jesus Christ have been “called” out of darkness into His light, by His special grace, to trust in His righteousness not their own, and to do His will.  Coming to understand this helps us to understand that “all things” we face will be used by Him who called to live the life He wants us to live, to become more like Him. 

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