Assistant Pastor’s Notes Romans 8:28
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.“
(Romans 8:28)
Ephesians 4:32 is one of those verses that is easily applied to every person, every family. “And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
It’s full of wondrous potential for brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, parents and children. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul commands the congregation at Ephesus to be kind and tender-hearted, and to
forgive one another – so very appropriate and important to any people group in any age. If the Source of this verse and it’s immediate and timeless relevance were not enough, we are given the absolute highest example to follow in that of God Himself! Some have said the verse is familiar (does that mean easy to memorise?). May its blessed truth be practiced and experienced by all at Shoalhaven Baptist Church.
February’s verse is just as relevant and applicable as Ephesians 4:32. It may even be more familiar. Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who
are the called according to his purpose.”
The “all things” and the “good to them” make up a wonderful truth and promise. But the “called according to his purpose” implies a limitation in its scope. It’s not a universal truth to all people at all times. God is always good – all the time! – and He can be counted upon to do what’s right and best to all people and in every situation. But that does not mean God will answer “yes” to every request, or that he will remove every hardship, or that everyone will enjoy all that He does.
The immediate context of the verse is the will of God, and that He has predestinated every believer to justification and glorification. The conclusion in the following verses is manifold and glorious: no one can stand against God’s children (vs 31), God freely gives to us all things (32), none can lay charge against us of which we have not already been justified by God (33), no condemnation can be held against us due to Christ’s present intercession (34), and nothing at all can possibly separate us from God’s love (verses 35-39)!
We’ve had nearly a month to see what the new year has in store for us, what it will be like. Of course, only the Lord knows the future in detail. But we know that 2021 will be filled with God’s love and with His good plans for His children!
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