~ by Mark Maulding
Romans states this comforting truth:
Romans 8:28 (NASB) “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Did you know this verse is surrounded by scriptures focusing on our suffering? The Holy Spirit is writing through the Apostle Paul to encourage and comfort every son or daughter in Christ. Here we are told an amazing truth. Our God is so sovereign, which means in control, that He can use everything that happens in our lives, the delight and the difficulties of life, and use them for our good. This does not make us irresponsible in any way. God is lovingly involved, working in our lives all of the time, in every decision, success and failure and uses it for our good beyond our human understanding. He doesn’t cause sins we commit but is still there when we do them ready to turn even those and the consequences into His good for us.
Later in verse 29, Paul tells us that the ultimate good is we that we are conformed to the image of Christ:
Romans 8:29 (NASB) “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;”
Two truths here bring us hope.
The first:
We are ALREADY perfectly conformed to the image of Christ in our new human spirit, where we are united with Christ. 1 John 4 says it like this:
1 John 4:17 (NASB) “By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.”
Colossians 2 also affirms this when we read:
Colossians 2:10 (NASB) “and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;”
The second:
We are BEING increasingly conformed to the image of Christ as we rely on Him to live through our thinking, choices, attitudes, and actions more and more, which is a lifelong process. Philippians 1 says:
Philippians 1:6 (NIV) “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Let go of fleshly false control and instead, believe God is the ultimate One in control of your life situations while you continue to grow in dependence on Christ in you and you in Christ.
Live Free In Christ,
Mark Maulding, President and Founder
www.GraceLifeInternational.com – Leading Christians Into the Life-Giving Power of God’s Grace
© Mark Maulding (But feel free to share this.)
Bestselling Author God’s Best-Kept Secret: Christianity Is Easier Than You Think – now available on AUDIO
