THE DETERMINED OBJECTIVE OF SALVATION "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God . . ." -- Tomorrow:
"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. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; 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 can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us." (Romans 8:28-34, NKJV)
Devotion 8 of 33
Our text has been preceded by a clear statement concerning the futility of life in the body. The real people of God experience the groaning of travail that attends life in this world – the ones who have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. These are the people who have been baptized into Christ (Rom 6), and experience the warfare between the flesh and the Spirit (Rom 7). They are those who have been freed from condemnation (Rom 8:1-4), and in whom the Holy Spirit is at work (Rom 8:26-27). Now, before introducing us to the details of God's eternal purpose, the Spirit moves Paul to make a statement concerning the involvement of the living God in the lives of these people. He will further clarify who they are, lest there be any confusion. By way of brief review, note what has been said about these people to this point.
1. They believe (3:22,26; 4:24).
2. They are justified freely by the grace of God (3:24).
3. They have been justified through faith (5:1a).
4. They have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (5:1b).
5. They have access by faith into God's grace (5:2).
6. They glory in tribulations, knowing what is involved in, and flows from, them (5:3-4).
7. Their hope does not make them ashamed (5:5a).
8. The love of God is shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Spirit (5:5b).
9. They are reconciled to God (5:10).
10. They have received the atonement (5:11).
11. They have been made righteous (5:19).
12. They were baptized into Jesus Christ (6:3).
13. Their "old man" is crucified with Christ (6:6).
14. They are freed from sin (6:7,18).
15. They are dead with Christ (6:8).
16. They are not under law, but under grace (6:15).
17. They have obeyed the form of the doctrine delivered to them (6:17).
18. They have become servants to God (6:22).
19. They experience the conflict of the flesh with the renewed spirit (7:14-24).
20. They serve God with the mind (7:25).
21. They are not condemned (8:1).
22. They walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (8:1,4).
23. They have been freed from the law of sin and death (8:2).
24. They are led by the Spirit of God (8:14).
25. The Holy Spirit bears witness with their spirit that they are the children of God (8:17).
26. They have the firstfruits of the Spirit (8:23).
27. They groan within themselves, waiting for the redemption of their bodies (8:23).
Now, this is certainly not a complete listing of the various characteristics and qualities of the people of reference, but it does provide a good perspective of who they are. These are people in whom a very real work has been done, and it has produced very real results. These are the people in whom God is working all things together for their good. There is no chance that such a gracious work can be taking place in those who lack these declared realities. The Holy Spirit has gone to great length to dispel any notion that those who are walking in the flesh, have a carnal mind, or are fundamentally of this world, could possible experience what our text is talking about.
I acknowledge that this can cause a great deal of concern, because of the relative rarity of these traits in the professing church and among professing Christians. Notwithstanding, this is the doctrine of the apostles, and we do well to give heed to it. If there is any doubt about whether or not these have duly described your own person, then you are to exercise diligence to make sure you have them. This is precisely what Peter was talking about when he admonished us, "give diligence to make your calling and election sure" (2 Pet 1:10). Now, let us get to our text.
It is not the portion of everyone to have God work everything together for their ultimate good. This is not common to all people, and it ought not be presented as though that is the case. Amos once spoke of everything working against those who displeased the Lord. "It will be as though a man fled from a lion, And a bear met him! Or as though he went into the house, Leaned his hand on the wall, And a serpent bit him!" (Amos 5:19, NKJV).
The blessing set before us belongs exclusively to "those who love God." God is not for, or on the side of, anyone else. However, He IS on the side of everyone who loves Him. This statement confirms that loving God is not natural for men, else there would be no point to this affirmation. Loving God is the response of a faith that perceives God loved us. As it is written, "We love Him, BECAUSE He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). And again, "Hereby perceive we the love of God, BECAUSE He laid down His life for us" (1 John 3:16).
Further, God has revealed that there is a direct correlation between a love for Himself and our response to His commandments, or requirements: "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous" (1 John 5:3). There is no such thing as a condition in which men love God, yet do not do what He says. When men do not obey God, it is because they do not love Him. Further, if they do not love Him, they are excluded from the benefit declared in this text – God working all things together for our good.
In return for this love, God manages our lives, so that everything ultimately fits together, contributing to our final good. The perception of this fuels both love and zeal. Those who TRY to love God out of a sense of mere obligation, as dictated by the first and greatest commandment, will experience great difficulty. But when they comprehend the truth of this verse, their love for God will grow by leaps and bounds.
If our love for God wanes or diminishes, life begins to work against us. Not only is God working all thing together for good to those who love Him, He is doing it in direct proportion to their love. One has only to consider men like Joseph, David, Daniel, and Paul to confirm this is true. If a waning of our love for God is not arrested, it can get to the point where God no longer works in us "both to will and do of His own good pleasure" (Phil 2:13). Candidly, that is a dreadful thing to contemplate, for if God is not working all things together for our good, it will not be possible for good to ultimately and finally be experienced.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask for grace to be noted in heaven for my unmitigated love for You.