Mulling it Over - Romans 8:28
This week we are only going to focus on one verse from Roman’s 8. Last month we looked at verses 26 and 27. We learned more about all the Holy Spirit does for us in helping us to live the Christian life in this flesh. We were also reminded of His work to help our weaknesses by praying for us with depth and clarity, as He always prays the Father’s will for us.
Today’s verse brings the last two verses into sharp focus.
Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay
“28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Let’s dissect this verse phrase by phrase.
And we know….
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
This is an interesting way to start this verse. How do we know? What is it we know? How is it that we know it? How does the author know that we know? Does the author know and we don’t know?
We will find out what we know in the next phrase, but let’s just sit here for a minute. How do we know? We know because of the work of the Holy Spirit. Remember last week we had a list of things the Holy Spirit does for us. Two of these stand out: the Spirit dwells in us if Christ is in us (vs. 9), and the Spirit testifies with our spirit we are children of God.
Jesus Christ, the Son, knows the mind of the Father.
“14 I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,
15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.”
“30 I and the Father are one.””
If Christ knows the Father, then when we receive Him, we also receive the Father, our Abba, Father. So too, the Holy Spirit dwells in us. He testifies with our spirit that we are sons and daughters of God and so we know. We know whatever it is He, the triune God wants us to know.
…that God…
Make no mistake, God is in this. He is continuously at work in our world, even during those “dark nights of the soul.”
“‘O Lord God, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your strong hand; for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as Yours?”
“There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.”
“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
…causes….
Sovereignty is something we must address when it comes to God causing things to take place. The word sovereign means one possessing supreme power. We typically refer to a king or queen as a sovereign as within their kingdom they possess supreme power, and ascendency.
Those of us who live in democratic societies might cringe at the idea of being beneath one who is sovereign. We have become so brain washed to the idea of independence and rights that we tend to forget we still live in community and need a system of checks and balances to keep anyone from having too much power.
However, when it comes to a supreme God; an all loving and completely good God it can be an easier pill to swallow, that He is ultimately in control. He allows and he prevents. He protects, and He holds back protection. He provides and He withholds.
What is it that this mighty being is causing, and for what purpose is He allowing it to happen.
….all things to work together for good…
It doesn’t say that God is causing only the good things to work together for good. He is causing ALL things to work together for good. The good, the bad, and the ugly; the light and the darkness; the times of prosperity and the times of poverty; the times of strength and the times of weakness. In His sovereign ability to see it all, He alone can work it all out for good.
…to those who love God…
Image by Ylanite Koppens from Pixabay
There is a descriptor here. He doesn’t work everything out for good for everyone on the planet. He only does this for those who love Him, and…
…to those who are called according to His purpose.
We might be asking ourselves the question, “What is His purpose?” Believe me the last three and a half years for me have been a questioning time. I don’t question His character, but I once in a while I do question His purposes. The question, “What are you doing, God,” often comes to my mind. It is okay to question, but we don’t want our questioning to become doubt that leads to frustration and bitterness.
“19 And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.””
When Moses asked God if he could see His glory, God agreed. God says of Himself, He is good, as we can see in the above verse. The fact that a good God can make all things work together for good makes sense. However, we can also see in that verse that He will be gracious to whom He will be gracious and He will show compassion on whom He will show compassion. I don’t think this is God’s way of flipping off people who are struggling. I believe it is a confirmation of His sovereignty and we are being reminded that it is He who is ultimately in control.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
God doesn’t change. The God of the Old Testament is still the same God, but there is now a new covenant through Jesus Christ. Jesus really does make all the difference. It is because of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit that God works all things together for good.
Being called according to His purpose, is quite simply living day to day in His presence. This isn’t a call to some grandiose life, or a suddenly acquisition of a super hero cap and ability to fly. We are simply called to live according to God’s purpose: to obey Him and glorify Him in everything we do. This we can do no matter where we find ourselves on life’s journey. No matter if you are homeless, employed, divorced, married, single, young, old, in perfect health or struggling with chronic illness, you are called according to His purpose.
I hope you find His words encouraging. Life is hard, but our God is good, all the time.
Have a great week.