God, I know that all things work together for my good because I love You and am called according to Your purpose. Romans 8:28
One thing this passage doesn't say is all things are good for the believer. It says all things WORK TOGETHER for good.
So many times, this verse is used to try to explain that when a person accepts Christ, their life will be good. Ultimately, that is true, of course, but in the meantime, God promises that all will be well…eventually. Hardship will come, but God will work even bad things for good in the lives of the faithful.
What strikes you as powerful in this passage?
I'm very thankful I don't have pre-conceived notions about what the verse has been used for. In many ways, that is a blessing. I always enjoy applying the verses to myself and I feel I gain the most understanding that way. In this verse, I know that God is watching over me like a desperately seeking Father. Seeking me out, loving on me, making plans in His gigantic heart for me, and blessing me.
ReplyDeleteThe turmoil in itself may not be good, but the training, if I chose for it to be, is good for me. I can turn a deaf ear towards the training, or, if I love Him and believe that I am called for His purpose, I can drink of it and choose to seek understanding and He will bless me with wisdom through it all. All things then will work together and grow me stronger in Him and in Christ, the ultimate overcomer.
What this verse means to me is this: I don't know how I'm going to make it through a hard time, but I know that I will be able to look back and see God's hand in it. He always works out impossible situations to the best outcome for me...not necessarily the outcome I would have chosen, but what's best for me.
ReplyDeleteI bought into the notion that once you became a Christian, everything in your life becomes "hunky dory". I have one word for that..."NOT!" You can have a good life; however, hardship, suffering, and trials are part of the test that God gives us daily. The test is do you believe and trust in the Lord, or something/someone else? I look at this passage and two words come to mind. The first is the words the good(according to the NIV). I look at this in my notes from my study Bible and this is what struck me, the good refers to "that which conforms us to 'the likeness of the Son(Jesus Christ)'". I am so wanting to be comformed and transformed in the likeness of Christ. It's not an overnight thing, it's a process and like most processes, they take time. I'm really relishing and learning to be patient because if change is going to come in the world around us, we need to follow His example. Even though I can't be perfect, I strive to be perfect in Christ to I can continue to be conformed into and transformed into the likeness of Christ. The second word I found fascinating is "called". I'm being called for something greater and bigger than myself. Effectual calling is the call of God to which there is invariably a positive response. I love this. I want to follow His call and have Him guide me. He knows everything and knows what is best for me. I w thank you Jesus for calling me to something better and greater than myself. Peace amd much blessings.
ReplyDeleteEvery situation, hardship, and blessing is another chance for me to show my love for God. My job is to be faithful. Surrendering my will to be obedient can be just as trying in the good as the bad. Sometimes it is harder in the good times because it requires more of my own discipline. It is more obvious in hard times how much more I need God's help. My faithfulness should not change because of the situation. My understanding of how to be faithful and what it means during different situations should be changing, growing every day. And when we are faithful all honor and glory go to the Heavenly Father because He is the Faithful One and He teaches us how to be faithful.
ReplyDeleteMy good is to become more like Christ. Becoming more like Christ should be the most important thing in my life. I also want to be a good wife, mother, friend, neighbor, teacher, etc. The more like Christ I become, the better I become at being a wife, mother, firend, etc.
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