Yes, “All Things”

Yesterday we began a detailed look at key words and phrases in one of the most quoted verses of the Bible, Romans 8:28. Here it is: “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.” Yesterday we focused on the word “know”. Today, I’d like to look at “all things”. We are told by Paul that all things work together for good to those who love God… Do you believe that? Earlier Paul wrote that we can “know” this to be true. Do you believe that “all things” work together for good? Note that it doesn’t say that “all things are good” nor does it say that “all good things” work together. There are clearly things in our lives that are not “good”, things that are wrecked by sin, our sin or the sin of others. There are things that happen that don’t appear to be good for us, at least in the short term. But the promise is that all things work together for good. God is a good God. God is a just God. God is a loving God. God is a sovereign God. If you belong to Him through Jesus Christ you have the promise that all things work together for good. So how does that change your life? If you believe this promise, then continue to trust in God’s activity and plan for your life; even when it is very different than what you expected. When the trials strike you can know that God is going to use those trials for your good. When you fail, you can know that God desires to use your failure for your good. I think it is also important to not limit God to this life to make all things work together. There is an eternity to consider. Will you trust that God can do what He says, even if you don’t see how it’s possible? He can and will do what He promises…and though this life can be a very up and down experience, you can experience abundant life through “all things”. One more thought; sometimes it can be very difficult to embrace this truth when we are alone. Use the power of community to get people around you who can help you see this truth.