2023 0813 Romans 8 God Works for Good

Nature of the Spirit

Romans 8:27

And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

God sees our strengths and weaknesses

Spirit intercedes for us in accordance with the will of God

Romans 8:28–30 NIV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Working for Good

Romans 8:28 NIV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

here is a fundamental question for all

does God work for good?

is God evil?

two perspectives must be considered

Those That Do Not Love God

people of the world can see God as evil

there is poverty, death, distress, war, climate emergencies

their view of God conforms to their man centred views

when man is the focus of your whole life - thoughts, words and deeds

God must fit into that world view

events in the world are considered with God being evil, uncaring or non existent

Those who Love God

persons who love God call him Lord

they submit to the principles of the Kingdom

Jesus is their Saviour and friend

we must consider God in a different light

the Godhead is outside of time - from eternity to eternity

man’s temporal perspective cannot comprehend God’s immensity

God is all knowing, all loving, all powerful

Luke 11:13 NIV

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

good gifts are a feature of God’s favour

no doubt that God pours his blessings out on those who love him

the scripture is very clear

In All Things

God is bigger than any human experience or endeavour

God made man in their likeness

God has given a destiny, purpose and plan to every one who believes in him

there is no hesitancy or differing on God’s behalf

either we believe that he is fully good or he is not

i am firmly of the knowledge that he works for good for those who love him

We Have Been Called

those who love God have been called

called for God’s purpose not ours or someone else

just want to focus on the intent of the words not doctrine

not going to discuss predestination or free choice

Conformed to Christ

Romans 8:29 NIV

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

there is a significance in God’s plan

God knows outside of time those that he choose to love him

each man and woman has the opportunity to believe or not

man does not know who will choose God but God does

God has given man free will so he will not go against that

Predestined to Christ

Romans 8:30 NIV

And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

God has a redemptive plan through Jesus Christ

The plan starts with our calling through sanctification to glory in Christ.

do not neglect such a great salvation

do not consider that this plan is flawed or subject to change

we are being made in the likeness of Christ,

this is a wonderful gift to us from God

Have Confidence

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.

Paul tells us to be confident

the good work in you - called to glory - will be completed

we have to wait until the day of Christ Jesus

we still have to work out our salvation

keep the faith that God is for us!