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Cass4Christ Profile
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Psalm 139:3

Registered: 01-2008
Location: Maryland
Posts: 42
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Romans 8:28


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.”

 

And we know that all things introduces another source of consolation and support, drawn from the fact that all things are under the direction or an infinitely wise Being, who has purposed the salvation of the Christian, and who has so appointed all things that they shall contribute to it. All things: means that: all our afflictions and trials; all the persecutions and calamities to which we are exposed and though they are numerous and long-continued, yet they are among the means that are appointed for our welfare.

Work together for good means that they shall co-operate; they shall mutually contribute to our good; and that they take off our affections from this world. They teach us the truth about our frail, transitory, and dying condition, and they lead us to look to God for support, and to heaven for a final home. It produced: a subdued spirit, a humble temper, and a patient, tender, and kind disposition. This has been the experience of all saints; and at the end of life they have been able to say it was good for them to be afflicted. For good translates that for our real welfare; for the promotion of true piety, peace, and happiness in our hearts.

How can all things be said to work for good: particularly evil things, sufferings from God, and sufferings from man for God's sake? What…must we call evil: good; pain: pleasure; torment: ease; and loss: gain? Must we disbelieve our senses that we may believe the scriptures? Answer, though affliction, which is evil in its own nature, cannot bring forth good; yet surely God can bring forth good out of evil and light out of the way to their triumph. Every cross is a step to the accomplishment of this promise. God suffers evil things to befall us, to keep out worse things, and causes evil things to prepare us for better things; the cross makes way of the crown. For affliction, there is glory; for light affliction, a weight of glory; and for light affliction, which is but for a moment, a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

To them that love God means that this is a characteristic of true piety. Piety means a devotion to religious duties. To them, afflictions are a blessing; to others, they often prove otherwise. On others they are sent as chastisements; and they produce murmuring, instead of peace; rebellion, instead of submission; and anger, impatience, and hatred, instead of calmness, patience, and love. The Christian is made a better man by receiving afflictions as they should be received, and by desiring that they should accomplish the purpose for which they are sent. The sinner is made more hardened by resisting them, and the sinner refusing to submit to their obvious intention and design also causes conflict.

They who love God, and is evident by their love to Him, and by an high estimation of Him, by their delight in Him, by their desires after Him, and by their longings for the full realization and enjoyment that comes from Him. It also is because of a person’s love for God. As they love God, so are they called of God; externally by the preparation and giving out of the gospel, internally by the operation of his Holy Spirit: they are called out of darkness into light, out of bondage into liberty, and all this produces the desired effect and powerfully, yet sweetly, and freely, in a way congruous to the will's liberty.

To them who are the called: also means that Christians are often represented in other areas as people who are called of God. It is used in the New Testament to denote those who had accepted the call, and were true Christians. It is evidently used in this sense here--to denote those who were true Christians. Christians are said to be called because God has invited them to be saved, and has sent into their hearts such an influence as to make the call effectual to their salvation. In this way their salvation is to be traced entirely to God.

According to his purpose means that the Word here has rendered purpose. It also means that when applied to the mind, a plan or purpose of the mind and it implies that God had a plan, or purpose, or intention, in regard to all who became Christians. They are not saved by chance or hap-hazard. God does not convert men without design; and his designs are not new, but are eternal. What he does, he always meant to do. What it is right for him to do, it was right always to intend to do. What God always meant to do, is his purpose or plan. That he has such a purpose, in regard to the salvation of his people, is often affirmed.

 God works in “all things”—not just isolated incidents—for our good. This does not mean that all happens to us is good. Evil is prevalent in our fallen world, but God is able to turn every circumstance around for our long-range good. Note that God is not working to make us happy, but to fulfill his purpose. Note also that this promise is not for everybody. It can be claimed only by those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Those who are “called” are those the Holy Spirit convinces and enables to receive Christ. Such people have a new perspective, a new mind-set on life. They trust in God, not life’s treasures; they look for their security in heaven, not on earth; they learn to accept, not resent, pain and persecution because God is with them.

Cassandra Coffman 2004
 

3/30/2008, 3:54 pm Link to this post Send PM to Cass4Christ
 
PurpleLady711 Profile
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Psalm 139:23

Registered: 05-2006
Location: Carolyn ~ Puget Sound
Posts: 4218
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Re: Romans 8:28


I am listening to a study by RC Sproul on this verse. It's in reference to eternal security in our Salvation.

This looks like what Barnes wrote on this topic. Since the "am I really saved" thing is something that gets to me sometimes, I have been working through my Salvation with "fear and trembling".

Funny how the Lord brings messages into our lives just when we need them, amen?

Thanks for sharing, Cass.
3/30/2008, 4:09 pm Link to this post Send PM to PurpleLady711
 


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