April 6, 2021 IF GOD IS FOR US
Romans 8:28-31 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, and to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first born among many brethren; and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
It is a spiritual giant step forward when we come to know that God is for us. Many see God as one they must please in order to gain His approval and acceptance. Verse 28 above is a verse that we may often quote, but we may have questions about the verse and may have doubt and confusion about it when a tragedy of some sort strikes, or when disappointments come. How we respond when bad things happen reveals whether or not this verse is one of the bed-rocks of what we believe. A crucial core belief we must have is that God is conforming us to the image of His Son-that is the ‘big thing’ that is going on with us and God. We may not understand why things happen as they do, and we may have unanswered questions, but we can be assured that God is in the process of conforming us to the image of His Son. Do we believe that God is working all things for good? There is one condition we must be aware of when it comes to God working all things for good; He does indeed work all things for good but for a select group of people-not everyone. This promise is for those who love God and who are called according to His purpose. (In one sense, God shows His goodness to all people-the sun, the rain, etc.) Our loving God must not be in word only, must also be reflected by how we live; loving God from our hearts impacts how we live. To me, ‘being called to His purpose’ means that I am working with and cooperating with God as He works in me. If I resist Him, if I disobey Him, He still loves me, but He will allow more pressure, or ‘sand-paper’ to come in order to draw me to Him. This is the mystery part of this; even though we love Him and are called according to His purpose, He may still allow difficulties to come-that is part of the conforming process. No matter what we are experiencing, no matter what difficulties come our way, let us know deep within that God is for us-and because He is for us, nothing or no one can hinder His work in us. You and I are in the process of being conformed into the image of Jesus!
Philippians 2:13 “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
Psalm 62:1-2 “Truly my soul quietly waits for God; from Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.”
Blessings,
Buddy
RSS Feed