June 30, 2002
Romans 8:28
We were reminded in Romans 8:27 that the Holy Spirit prays for believers according to the will of God. Because of that fact we have the promise that follows in verse 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.
In verses 26 and 27 we are reminded that God is behind everything that comes into the believer’s life. In fact He actually causes everything to work together for good.
Notice that he doesn’t say that everything IS good, because that just isn’t so!
God knows just what s needed in your life and mine. Some things are good. Some things are bad. Our Lord knows how to blend the good and the bad together for our benefit.
When my wife makes a cake it seems as if everything in the kitchen goes
into that cake. Some of those
ingredients are very good. Sugar and
butter and eggs are yummy. But have you
ever tasted baking powder or flour?
Yuck!!! Those things alone are
not so good. Then she mixes it all
up. If she beat me the way she beats
that cake I would be in bad shape indeed!
Then she puts the whole conglomeration into a pan and puts it in a hot
oven. Again that would be very bad for
me but evidently very good for the cake for after a certain period of time, out
comes a most delicious confection! Eva
took the good and the bad and mixed it all together for our family’s good!
But who are the ones that God is working with? Everyone? No, only the ones who love Him. Those whom He has called “according to His purpose!”
Our God has a specific purpose for the life of each believer. He is bringing everything to bear on the fulfilling of that purpose. What is that purpose? We will discuss that in our next Pen Pulpit. But just a hint this morning! Verse 29 reads, “those whom He knew He predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son.” That pretty much says it all. We’ll deal with this in more detail next time.
Beloved, view your life like the making of a cake. God allows the good things and the bad things into your life. But all things come out in Christ-like character. Neat concept, isn’t it? Just remember that God is behind it all. God bless.
Love to you all,
Pastor Charles