Rom 8-If God is For Us

| If God is For Us…! Romans 8:28-32

May 27, 2007 (NIV) 28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. 31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?  PRAY Scripture Memory:32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? – Romans 8:32 (NIV) Intro:We don’t believe in luck” 8:31 – What, then, shall we say in response to all this? All what?8:1 – There is therefore now no condemnation…8:28 – God causes all things to work for the good…8:29-30 – Those God foreknew…8:31 – What, then, shall we say in response to all this? If God is for us, who can be against us?8:32 – He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Providence – God causes all things to work for the good… – If God is for us…The doctrine of Providence:SC #11 – What is God’s Providence?God’s Providence is His completely holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing every creature and every action.Providence is normally defined in Christian theology as the unceasing activity of the Creator whereby, in overflowing bounty and goodwill, he upholds his creatures in ordered existence, guides and governs all events, circumstances and free acts of angels and men, and directs everything to its appointed goal, for his own glory. This view of God’s relation to the world must be distinguished from: (a) pantheism, which absorbs the world into God; (b) deism, which cuts it off from him; (c) dualism, which divides control of it between God and another power; (d)indeterminism, which holds that it is under no control at all; (e) determinism, which posits a control of a kind that destroys man’s moral responsibility; (f) the doctrine of chance, which denies the controlling power to be rational; and (g) the doctrine of fate, which denies it to be benevolent. (New Bible Dictionary)We might say, if we truly grasp the import of the statement in v. 31: If God is for us, who can be against us, then we have a crucial key to peace and contentment in this life, and in the one to come.Wilhelmus À Brakel – The Christian’s Reasonable Service:Some practical exhortations concerning this doctrine:1. Accustom yourself by frequent meditations, attentive observation, & diligent exercises to believingly observe God’s hand in all things. Ø   Observe God’s hand in all of lifeAs you would observe the rays of the sun entering a room through a window, observe His preservation, cooperation, and government, concerning both creatures and their activity. Accustom yourself continually to discern God’s active hand when you observe the sunrise in the morning and the shining moon and stars at night in their respective circuits; as you observe everything sprouting forth from the earth; when you take note of what occurs in the earth; and when you observe both victory and defeat in time of war, as also the extraordinary events and turn of events in time of peace. Do likewise regarding your own life, whether you are healthy or ill, whether you continually encounter tribulation, one cross following another; whether you experience deliverance and prosperity; whether a person looks at you either in a friendly or not-so-friendly manner, speaks either gruffly to you or helps and comforts you; or whether someone turns his back on you, seeks to trap you, opposes you, speaks well or evil of you. All these things, from the least to the greatest, are under God’s control. Ø   Consciously remember God’s involvementIt is not enough merely to state this and believe it to be true, for this will have but little effect upon you. (À Brakel)We need, by constant and intentional thought, to familiarize ourselves with this truth. The idea being that we might continually perceive God’s hand working in & by secondary causes in such a manner as if these causes did not exist, but as if God worked these things immediately. In other words, we acknowledge that God is behind it all, no matter what the more immediate cause.We need to strive by this kind of ongoing and intentional focus, to acquire a habitual frame of mind which will make it clear and easy for [us] to see God at work. (À Brakel)Believe me, this requires more effort to learn than we might think. Our hearts continually detract us from such observations and acknowledgement. Therefore, we must intentionally apply ourselves in this matter, praying for much light to enable us to be attentive and to be continually engaged in such observations. We will experience that our souls will be greatly blessed as we do this. Ø   A Word of warning:Beware spending too much effort trying to understand the “how’s” and “why’s.” This is an unsearchable mystery. Rather, believe and observe this doctrine each time with new attentiveness. Speak about it & communicate this to others, & you will perceive that your journey through this world will be attended with more comfort and holiness. 2. Do not merely focus on the acts of providence, but accustom yourself to perceive therein God’s majesty, power, wisdom, righteousness, and goodness. Acknowledge these attributes of God with astonishment and joy. All creatures are His; all activity proceeds from Him; and He governs everything in heaven and on earth. This is true regardless of how large the universe may be, how many creatures (great or small) it may contain, and how diverse all activity may be. May this acknowledgement engender a humble fear and reverence in us. Is He not, & He alone, the Lord? Aren’t all things in His hand to use either for or against us? Aren’t all creatures His servants who look to the hand of their Master? Stand therefore in awe of Him & bow before Him in godly fear while exclaiming, “The Lord is God,” and “the Lord reigns.” God demands this. Jeremiah 5:22 – Should you not fear me?” declares the Lord. “Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it.Oh, how sweet it is in contemplation of the fact that God is the moving cause of all things to bow before Him & to worship Him! 3. No longer depend upon secondary causes Don’t rely any longer on your belongings, strength, wisdom, and ability. Don’t concern yourself any longer with friend or foe. Do not look so much to this or that individual or to the means, as if they were the solution to your problem. If God so pleases, He will turn everything upside down; what you thought to be your deliverance will prove to be your ruination, and what appeared to be your ruination will be your deliverance. Since creatures can’t move or do anything apart from His energizing power, what can they give to you or take from you? Why then do you look to them? Moreover, to depend upon the help of creatures  is to be guilty of idolatry & departure from the Lord. Jeremiah 17:5, 7 – 5This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord….  7“But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. Oh, learn this great lesson! Let those who do not know God look to the creature and to the means and depend upon them. You, however, must expect everything from the Lord, carefully using the means as means and looking beyond all creatures to God Himself. This will engender both steadfastness and strength within your heart. (À Brakel) |   | Psalm 125:1 – Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. 4. Do not fear any created beings.None can initiate their own motion. It is God alone who governs and controls them. (whether human or angelic) If you have an encounter with them, God who controls them has sent them. They cannot do anything but execute God’s will. God blocks them from what they might otherwise want to do. Who would fear a sword, stick, or stone when it is lying upon the ground and does not move since it is not in anyone’s hand? If it is God’s will, anyone desiring to curse you will bless you; if they desire to slander you, they will praise you; and if they desire to kill you, they will kiss you. And since He is for you, children of God, why do you fear? For all our enemies are but masks concealing the hand of our Loving heavenly Father.Job 34:29 – If he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over man and nation alike. Therefore, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. (Matthew 10:28) How quiet a soul may be which, while conscious of his enemies, “dwells in the shelter of the most High” & “rests in the shadow of the Almighty” (Ps. 91:1)!5. Do not be angry and vengeful towards those who have harmed youFor all that others do to you is according to the Lord’s command. (2 Sam. 16:11). (2 Sam 16:11 – David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, who is of my own flesh, is trying to take my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to.)Lamentations 3:37 – Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it?It is true that they have done so with evil intention, but the Lord uses their evil deeds as a rod to discipline us for our good. (Isa. 10). We must not act as a dog which bites the stone that has been cast at him, but must look higher to the hand of Him who uses our enemies against us and refrain from murmuring against the Lord. To be vengeful or angry against the means used is to be opposed to the One who used them. Therefore never focus upon the evil–doing of man alone, as if he functioned independently, but rather “Heed the rod and the One who appointed it.” (Micah 6:9), and turn to Him who disciplines you. 6. Be patient in spirit.This is so important, for evil things do not come upon you by chance even if they are caused by people. Yes, even if your own foolishness and sin are the cause, it is nevertheless of the Lord who hath decreed this concerning you, who controls it, and who executes it. Therefore with quiet submission say, He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store. (Job 23:14)Ø   Is He not the absolutely sovereign Lord? Do you begrudge Him this? Do you not rejoice that He is so? Would you rather that YOUR will would govern Him rather than His govern you?!?If so, how do you dare to resist Him? Be quiet therefore, and let His will—simply because it is His will—be fully accomplished towards you. Ø   Is He not your Father? Has He not loved you with an everlasting love? Behold, in love He caused this evil to come upon you. Revelation 3:19 – Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.He has compassion upon you, is merciful towards you, is with you in your affliction, knows your distress, sees your tears, and hears your cries. He will deliver you at His time and in His manner. Ø   Doesn’t He promise to use hard times for our good?The result will be to the further glorification of His power, faithfulness, and goodness. This will cause us to be that much more humble and holy. The more the hard times are, the more the comforts will be. Therefore, deny yourself and take up your cross, and follow Jesus (Luke 9: 23). Do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke. (Proverbs 3:11)Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him (Psalm 37:7).Say with David, I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this. (Psalm 39:9)Surrender yourself as clay in the hands of your Maker, and let Him mold you as it pleases Him. He guides us with His counsel, and afterward takes us into glory. (Psalm 73:24) 7. The proper use of God’s providence will result in a much greater measure of gratitude and will teach us to see God as giver of all good things.It will cause you to observe God’s goodness, faithfulness, and benevolence. This will cause us to rejoice, to praise and magnify God, to speak to others about His attributes, and to place ourselves with a willing heart in God’s service. Out of pure love he has bestowed His goodness upon us. At times He has done so in remarkable ways. Just as all of life comes from God, so also, in the end, it must all come back to Him. For from him & through him & to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:36)1 Thess. 5:18 – give thanks in all circumstances.We must continually follow David’s example and say, Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. (Psalm 103:2)Oh, how sweet it is when thinking about past difficulties, helplessness, & our unworthiness to receive anything, to then perceive that the Lord Himself thinks about us and delivers us! What desire this engenders to magnify the Lord in it and to rejoice in Him! 8. Such proper use of providence yields to the soul a proper perspective and a quiet confidence in God concerning the future.The passionate lusts of the flesh are held in check, and the cross will not be feared. We will cease with sinful autonomous use of the means and surrender the matter in the Lord’s hands. We will then be satisfied with the manner in which He performs it, knowing that it will be well. Psalm 37:5 – Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.Ps. 138:8 – The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me.Such great benefits are ours as we understand and embrace the providence of God. Therefore, Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the Lord. (Psalm 107:43) Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them. (Hos. 14:9)  A Truth to Remember: Nothing happens to us that does not come from the loving hand of our sovereign Lord and Savior. A Challenge to Consider:Are you willing to offer God the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving when things are hard in acknowledgement that God has a good purpose in them? One thing I heard this morning was…      |