Romans 8:28 contains a certain promise; that is, a promise that is certain. The verse starts with the words "we know" -- giving us the concept of certainty. What is it that we know for certain? We know that God works all things together for good.
That promise is made to a certain people--those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Two ways to describe the same people; each from a different perspective. Those who love God--that's our perspective toward God. Those who are called--that's God's perspective toward us. That's good news because when we sin and don't properly manifest our love toward God, we can still be certain of the promise because the promise is extended to those who are called according to His purpose.
Our performance does not change the call of God. He called us knowing our future choices--good and bad. Our performance does not change His love for us. That's great news. It tells us that God works all things (the good, the bad, and the ugly) together for good.
By implication, since the promise is for a certain people, it must NOT be for other people. Who? Simple--those who don't love God and who are not called according to His purpose. That's an accurate description of a lost person.
That promise is so awesome, I just want to share it with people in every conversation I have. The problem? Sometimes I'm talking to a lost person. I cannot give them assurance that anything (let alone all things) will work for good. Can you see the plight of lost people? No assurance that anything they do will work together for good. Yuck.
Doesn't that motivate you to share the gospel? The good news will bring purpose to all things in their life (if they accept the good news, of course). Let's help bring hope into the most desperate of circumstances by sharing the good news. And simultaneously enjoy certainty of the fact that God works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
You can hear an expanded version of these thoughts at the church's web site and listen to the message from October 11, 2009.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
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About Me
- Jeff
- North Pole, Alaska, United States
- Jeff Baxter is Pastor of Moose Creek Baptist Church in North Pole, Alaska.
