RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2020-06-05	We Know That All Things Work Together (Rm.8:28)
		Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Rom 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Rom 8:30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. This is a favorite verse for many believers around the world. It is a message of God's sovereignty and love for His children. Romans 8:28 reminds me of Genesis 50:20. Gen 50:20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Joseph could look back over his life, filled with vindictiveness and suffering, and say to his brothers who were responsible for his troubles, God worked all things out for good. God is not going to let anything happen to you unless it will accomplish a good purpose in your life. “And we know” is the wonderful knowledge the Holy Spirit makes so real in our lives. We know God is in control. He never loses control. Things may be hard at times in this life. O, but “we know” Who works it all out. Some have called this verse a soft pillow for a tired heart. Sometimes we have to quote this verse to get through hard times. I pray you have this verse memorized. We know that He is going to make things work out for good because He's the One who is motivating it. He's the One who is energizing it. God is able to work “all things”, not just some things. Even when we do not understand why things happen, God can turn it into something good. This verse does not say that God causes all things. The causes of tragedy are Satan, the sinful choices of people, and the consequences of living in a sinful world. God permits these things (sin or evil), but that is much different than causing them. When tragedy touches a believer we should not conclude that this is one of the “all things” that God causes. God brings good out of all things, even tragedies, for the Christian. “All things” whether good or bad, sweet or bitter, are working together in God's providence for our benefit. There are no accidents in God's family. “Those who love God” are all who have placed faith in Jesus for salvation. By the way, you will have difficulty loving God if you are hating other Christians (1Jn.4:10-16). John reminds us that “we love him, because He first loved us” (1Jn_4:19). This is the only place in Romans where Paul wrote of the believer's love for God; everywhere else he referred to God's love for the believer. “The called” are those who not only have received an invitation, they have accepted it. And they were born from above. God is working out His purposes especially when we do not see it. Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

An Independent and Evangelical Church

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