It's Working Together

Introduction

The book of Romans presents a very interesting perspective. Historically this one of the geographical areas that we have a ton of history about. Understand that Paul was born a Roman citizen, he was not only given a Hebrew name but also a Roman cognomen or nickname or name passed down from a father to son. Also, be mindful of the fact that he describes himself as one that was circumcised on the eighth day. Philippians 3:5 “circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;”

So here we are in the book of Romans. A foundational opportunity to level the playing field of Christianity amongst Jews and Gentiles. Romans 15:16 “that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.”

What this did was provided a sense of equality for everyone to know that we have all fallen short and we all need grace and mercy. One thing that should bring us together if nothing else is the commonality of our faith. Sure this was presented to the Jews first, but it’s accessible to everyone! This book was written to clarify that regardless of what family we were born in to, how many generations of our family has sat in these seats it’s still the saving power of Jesus and our faith that saves us.

All Things Work Together

What if I told you that walking in purpose had suffering attached to it? But what if after that I told you that even my suffering will be beneficial if I stay the course. One mistake is not the end of purpose, one failed class or bad semester is not the end of purpose, incarceration is not the end of purpose. Nevertheless let us recognize the power of God, that even He can use our worst moments for our benefit. What Paul is trying to get Jews to understand is that they are saved through the work of Christ not the works of their own. The message for the gentiles was Romans 3:30 “since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.”

What we experience in suffering for Christ or in life in general is not comparable to what we will experience with God.

When I understand this, I understand that everything under the power of God can work for my benefit.

People betraying me can work for my benefit.

Being denied opportunities that I thought I deserved can work toward my benefit.

There is a spirit of eagerness that we should have while following God. I don’t have time to sit around and wallow in my suffering, I have to make every attempt to tap into the power of God by knowing that I can find joy in every situation.

When I understand the suffering versus the glory to be revealed I can find joy! When my expectations of God are properly aligned I life is not always going to be easy but when I understand hope and faith, I can appreciate joy and peace. So no matter what this world throws at me I can find piece in it because I truly understand the God who is controlling the situation.

Even when my situation pushes me to a place in which I can’t even verbalize what I’m going through, God is near.

Romans 8:26-27 “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

Even considering that let’s work backwards this morning, the verse prior says we eagerly wait with perseverance, the root word for perseverance in Greek is to reside or remain. The problem we face is many of us are residing under the wrong emotions, with the wrong people and the wrong places and wonder why we aren’t walking in the right purpose.

The Holy Spirit guides us even when we don’t know where to turn or what to say. The blessing is God knows us, He knows us because He created us, I must trust the creator to enact His will in my life. It’s impossible to walk in purpose without the willingness to submit and surrender to the will of God.

God Has the Power to Operate in a Space of Great Co-Operation

A very popular text that we have to read very closely. The focus of this text is not looking for things to work out in our favor. Understand that the subject of this text is God.

Alignment with God.

Obedience to God.

Faith in God is what prompts things to work positively together in our life. Because of who God is all things work together for those who are called according to his purpose.

It’s because of His power and not our works. 2 Timothy 1:9 “who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,”

There are four things that interact with the purpose that God has in our lives.

Predestined, Called, Justified, Glorified

Understanding Purpose

In effort to understand what God’s call is for our life we have to understand what God expects. He appointed us to take on the same nature as Jesus. He set us a part so that we might imitate the life of Jesus.

The goal is not just for the present life but for the eternal life to come. Philippians 3:21 “who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”

When we truly understand our purpose we also understand that His purpose for my life is for me, it’s not something to be compared to others. Let us not forget that the purpose God has for me comes from Him. Don’t get discouraged when people can’t figure out why things are working out in your life.

Understanding my purpose also prompts me to know that there is commonality in the individuality of my purpose. The commonality of our faith is what should bring us together.

We’ve all been justified through faith, Romans 3:30 “since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.” My purpose has nothing to do with anything but faith and obedience.

I may not have been born in the church but through faith I have purpose in Jesus. Regardless of my past through Jesus I’ve been appointed for greater. Regardless of my past I’ve been called to obedience,

Considering Paul is addressing Jews and Gentiles in this letter pushes the idea of faith even further. Sure the gospel was presented through Jesus 1st first but it’s accessible to everyone. The message to the Jews was that the saving work of salvation was through Jesus not by works of their own. Nonetheless the saving power for gentiles was through a God that Justifies us through faith, regardless of background and past.

In every realm that I step in the goal is to show Christ, the goal is to be a light. No matter the job, organization or social circle, the goal is to show Jesus. This is why Paul can say I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish that I may gain Christ. and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law but that which is through FAITH in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.

I’m not justified by my own works, I’m justified by what Jesus did for me. The justification I have recieved in my life is through the power of God by believing in all situations God has the power to make it work out for my benefit.

We all have a purpose to be a light regardless of what space we find ourselves in. A light in the cubicle, a light in the police force, a light on the sports team. Regardless where we are we should be a light! God appointed us to be a light, God called us to be a light, God justified us to be a light, and when we are a light God gets the glory.

The root word for predestined is to appoint, your appointment should lead to glorification, not glorification of yourself but the glorification of God. To God there is no before and after because He doesn’t operate in the same time concept as we do. Right now is not the time to say let me wait until I get my life together, or after I do this I can focus on living for Jesus, we just need to answer the call and let God handle the justification and the glory.