God works all together for good - Romans 8:28

Introduction

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Recap

Memorization verses - Jn 3:16, 1 Jn 4:8, etc.

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Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”

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The Certainty of God’s Promise (28a).

and we know that for those who love God

And we know - very confident, Paul throughout this letter commands us know what and why we believe. Peter echoes that in 1 Peter 3:15 “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and fear,”. Ventura notes “we continually are confident as a standing conviction because God has pledged it and we have seen it to be the case time and again in our lives and in the lives of God’s people.”

that for those who love God - 2 questions...1) Does God love everybody? 2) Does everybody love God? 1) Yes (Jn 3:16, 1 Jn 2:2, 4:7-21). Generally speaking HE does, but as a covenant making, keeping, and remembering God - No (Jn 13:35, 14:15, 28, 15:10) this verses sets that beautifully. 2) No, Ps 14:1-3, Rom 1:18-32. Everybody knows there is a god (Gen Rev.) but as Romans 1:21 “For even though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened.” Charnock calls this Practical Atheism - Deny’s God’s Existence, Providence, and Nature. ISBE -”It has nothing at all to do with belief. Indeed it accepts the affirmations of theism. It has reference wholly to the mode of life. It is to live as though there was no God. It takes the form often of complete indifference to the claims of the Divine Being or again of outbroken and defiant wickedness. Psalm 14:1 “The wicked fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They act corruptly, they commit abominable deeds; There is no one who does good.” Keach ask Ought everyone to believe there is a God? A: Everyone ought to believe there is a God and it is their great sin and folly who do not.” So for those that God loves and loves God back the promise is this...

2. The Working of God’s Promise (28b).

all things work together for good

all things - Doriani notes “Some early manuscripts read, “God works all things,” but most do not, so that the best translation is “all things work together.” Still, the sense is that God makes it so. The phrase “all things” refers first to the sufferings mentioned in Romans 8:17–27, but beyond that, all events fulfill God’s purposes.” why does this work? God is omnipotent -”The attribute that refers to God’s ability to do whatever is consistent with God’s own character and being in effecting the divine plan for creation. God’s omnipotence is primarily demonstrated in God’s overturning evil for good.” Genesis 50:20 ““As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to do what has happened on this day, to keep many people alive.” God isn’t a reacting God, He KNOWS and PLANS all things even allowing bad things to happen, but as Stott beautifully says “Thus all that is negative in this life is seen to have a positive purpose in the execution of God’s eternal plan.’ Nothing is beyond the overruling, overriding scope of his providence.”

work together - Paul has been discussing the perceived tension between human experience and divine promise. He answers believers that God is working for the ultimate goal = salvation. God is a sovereign good God (PS 100:5, Nah 1:7) Psalm 115:3 “But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.” If God wasn’t in control over everything then God couldn’t be God. Big and small events He is Transcendent (Is 55:8-9) and Immanent (Ps 139:8-10).

for good - As mentioned God is good (Mk 10:18) and He gives good gifts - James 1:17 “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” God does this for His glory and our good. If God is good, then why do bad things happen? MacArthur helps us with this answer by saying “ Sometimes the suffering comes as the price of faithfulness to God. At other times it is simply the common pain, hardship, disease, and conflicts that are the lot of all mankind because of sin’s corruption of the world. At still other times the suffering comes by God’s permission, and not always as punishment or discipline.” (Ruth Job). Trails or Tests is what really shows our true loyalty. James 1:2–3 “Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith brings about perseverance.” 1 Peter 1:7 “so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”. We have to be forged by fire. Sanctification isn’t easy but necessary. Helps us understand suffering/pain has a purpose by getting a degree in it (School of hard knocks) Theodicy - We may not see what God is doing as good at that moment and time but in the future (hopefully) we will come to appreciate it. Who is this for?

3. The Recipients of God’s Promise (28c).

for those who are called according to His purpose.

for those who are called - As mentioned earlier there are 2 types of grace/love - God’s general providential grace (Matt 5:45, Jn 3:16) but there is God’s special/covenant grace/love. That belongs to believers only - salvation, atonement, regeneration, election, justification, Holy Spirit, glorification, and so much more. All of this is for those who are called - Kletos - Those who respond to God’s call in faith are called. God is very purposeful in those whom He calls. Unconditional Election - “God has chosen some persons for the gift of salvation. It is not to be confused with providence, that is, God’s governance of all things, nor with Fate or philosophical determinism.” (Rom 8:29-30, Eph 1:4-5, 2 Tim 2:10, Tit 1:1, 1 Pet 1:1-2). What it is and what it is not. Spurgeon - “If God had painted a stripe down the backs of the elect, I’d spend my days walking up and down the streets of London lifting up shirts, but since He didn’t I must preach ‘whosoever will’; and when ‘whosoever’ believes, I know he is one of the elect.”

according to His purpose - What is a purpose? A desired end, a planned consequence. God’s purpose for us is to receive salvation and through the resurrection to reflect His glory (1 Cor 15:42-44). Schreiner notes “a clarification so that the reader can accurately locate the roots of our love for God. The believers’ love for God is ultimately due to God’s purpose in calling them to salvation” Keach question 2 asks Ought everyone to believe there is a God? Answer: Everyone ought to believe there is a God; and it is their great sin and folly who do not.

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