"The Plan of God for Believers" (Part 1)

Summary:

What is the big picture?

Does all the small stuff fit into something bigger? How?

Does all the bad stuff fit into something good? How?

Is there a bigger picture here? Yes!…

God’s Plan

What He has decided to do, and is doing, and will perfectly accomplish.

This is Paul’s subject for verses 28-30. Today, part 1, verse 28.

Paul introduces this with “we know” - this is a truth we can be assured of, that can make a difference.

What should be known?

“All things work together for good” (for some, not all) - What does this mean?

“all things”

In context, suffering (v. 18), groanings (v. 23), weakness (v. 26), all circumstances (vv. 35–39).

Though not limited. Everything (“who works all things according to the counsel of His own will” Ephesians 1:11).

“work together”

Co-operate, act together - individually all things are not good - not naturally or by default or by themselves.

It is clear in context that this is the work of God (“who works all things according to the counsel of His own will” Ephesians 1:11).

In fact, this is stated at the end of the verse. “According to His purpose” - God’s plan of operation, which Paul expands on in verses 29-30.

“good”

Generally - beneficial, pleasant, desirable.

Good is highlighted here as something special, not common-place. This contrasts with the sufferings (v. 18) and groanings (v. 23) and weakness (v. 26) and all circumstances (vv. 35-39) of this world.

Specifically - God’s good plan of redemption as in verses 29-30. This is the “good” Paul is talking about. Paul doesn’t leave us guessing here.

Who should know it?

(In one sense, everyone should know it. But who should especially know it or be assured by it?)

“Those who love God”

To love God is to keep His commandments (1 John 5:3).

Only believers can do this, and even then, it is a struggle (Romans 7:25).

This is not a requirement, but a description.

It is a response to understanding God’s love (Romans 5:5 “and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” 1 John 4:19 “We love because he first loved us.”)

This is only believers, but it is all believers. Love is a fruit of the Spirit that believers can and should choose to walk in.

“Those who are called”

Can mean “invited” but that is not usually strong enough in context.

It means “summoned” or “named”, which implies being made or brought.

Remember this is what God did to Paul (1:1; Galatians 1:15 “But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,”)

And, Paul says this is what God did to the Roman believers (1:6-7).

This is what God does to bring people to Himself (1 Corinthians 1:1–2 “Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints…”)

This word for Paul does not mean invited, it means made or brought into being what one is called to be.

This is what God does to bring people from death to life, from darkness to light (1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” “

This is what God does to bring people to faith (2 Thessalonians 2:13–14 “But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”)

Now, God does not call everyone in this way. One of the clearest reason for why not everyone is called in this way is because all things do not work together for good in this way for all people. All things work together for good only for those who are called.

But, everyone who God calls in this way believes unto salvation (v. 30).

What about Matthew 22:14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.” - Not Paul - Not called by God, it even indicates this with “few are chosen. Many people are called by people (AS IT SHOULD BE. It is God’s will for us to call all people. But when does someone go from darkness to light, from death to life, from blindness to sight… when God calls them. Paul knew that not everyone he called would be called by God, but some would be, so he Paul kept calling.), but only some people are called by God (Revelation 17:14 “They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”)

So this is a word reserved for believers. Unbelievers are not called even if they have heard the Gospel. This calling is something that has only happened to believers (1 Corinthians 1:23–24 “but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”)

Notice that those who are called are equated with those who love God.

“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.” (Romans 8:28, NASB)

The word for “church” (ἐκκλησία - assembly) comes from the same root (καλέω - call, name, summon) and literally means “called out ones.”

It would be pointless for Paul to spend 8 chapters explaining justification by faith and not by works and the assurances of those who have been justified by faith and not by works if all things work together for this good for everyone.

This word (called) gives us a great sense of the honor God has bestowed upon us so that we might be stirred to obedience (Ephesians 4:1–6 “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”).

Here it is meant to encourage perseverance because our calling is part of God’s plan that He will complete (Philippians 1:6 “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”).

Application: If you are a believer as Paul has been laying out, then you are in a place of gracious and great honoring by being included in God’s plan.

Benediction: Lord’s Supper

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:1–6