Frustration, Part 4
All Things?
Romans 8v28
25th January 2014
Romans 8v28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to
his purpose.
We know that God works for our good, but Paul writes even more. He says that in all things, God works for our good.
In fact, I think he says much more than that. I'm not much of a Greek scholar but, from such research as I've been able to do, it seems that this is one area where the older English translations are more accurate. The AV says "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." and I think that's a much better translation. At least one newer translation agrees; the ESV says "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
That's an amazing statement! But it can be hard to believe when we're going through difficult or painful circumstances. And it can hurt when a well-meaning brother in Christ quotes these words to us when we're experiencing tragedy. It can cheapen both our experience and the word of God. I hope your friends are more sensitive than that, and willing to weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15 NKJV).
Although these words can be too painful to hear when we're suffering deeply, the fact remains that they're true. This is one of the lessons we need to learn when life's going well, so we remember it in the dark times.
We've had abundant proof of His love for us. God sent His son to die to pay for our sins. God gave us faith to believe in the power of that sacrifice. God justified us through that faith and gave us new birth, and adopted us as His children for all eternity. God gives us His Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit prays for us And God is all-powerful. The omnipotent God who loves us so deeply will ensure that all things - even our suffering - work for our good.
We may not know why something is good for us, but our faith in God's power and goodness, and our trust in Holy Scripture, convince us that all things must be good for us.
You may have suffered much more than I have, so I say this humbly. I don't know if I would pass the tests you've had to go through. But I am convinced that God has used my suffering to shape my character. To the degree that I've become a decent human being, it's because God has allowed me to pass through various trials and has helped me to survive them. I understand that if my life was really easy, my character wouldn't be tested and shaped and gradually conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ. I believe - I really do - that my suffering has done me good.
I believe theologically, doctrinally, that any suffering I get is good for me. I know that the Bible says that's true. And it's proved true so far. I can only pray that, if my suffering gets worse, I'll be able to continue to believe it.
And there's another way we have to be really careful with this verse. The promise that all things work together for good only applies to those who love him and have been called according to his purpose. God doesn't promise that all things work for the good of those who don't love him.
I find it very strange when people refuse the Gospel, and say their reason is because their lives aren't workng out as well as they'd like. That's like refusing a cure because you're ill. It's like refusing money because you're poor. The Good news offers us the solution to our problems. It offers us real, loving, relationship with God, which brings us to the place where God will work for our good. To refuse the solution to our problems, because we've got problems, is madness.
To refuse to respond to the Good News of Jesus Christ is to deliberately remain in a state of rebellion against God, the king of the universe. A rebel should not be surprised when the King chooses not to comply with his requests. Instead, a rebel should submit to his king, and beg for forgiveness.
In John 14:15, Jesus says "If you love me, you will obey what I command". Do you love God? If you do, you'll want to obey Him.
Have you been called according to His purpose? Do you know that God has called you to follow Him? Do you have faith to believe in His goodness? Do you understand that Jesus died to pay for your sins? Have you turned away from your wrongdoing and decided to follow Jesus? Have you received His Holy Spirit? Then God promises that all things will work for your good.