The Book of Romans ~ Lesson Seventeen

"Perfect Plans ~ Ours or His?"

Romans 8:28-30 (NLT) And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

Romans 8:28 was my mother's life verse. She understood it and lived it. So many people quote this verse in situations and don't fully understand it full import. I was one of them until I heard John Piper speak on the it.


The question that we begin with in verse 28 is: Who are the beneficiaries of this massive promise? Who may be certain that all the pain in their life is really the wise and good therapy of a sovereign God to bring about their good? 


Two Descriptions:


Paul gives two answers. Or he describes the one answer from two sides. He defines the beneficiaries of this promise first by what they do toward God, and second by what God did toward them.


All things work together for good, in the first place, "to them that love God." The beneficiaries of this promise are people who love God. This is the first and great commandment, that you love the Lord your God. No eye has seen nor ear heard nor anyone imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.


Then, in the second place, Paul describes the beneficiaries of this promise as "those who are called according to his purpose." What does it mean to say that in addition to loving God, the beneficiaries of this promise are also "called according to God's purpose"? To answer this question let's look at two passages in Paul which refer to God's call and two which refer to his purpose. ~ John Piper (Go to this link for further insight by John Piper: desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/called-according-to-his-purpose)

I like to put things into an equations. I flipped the verse around to view it this way. Here is how I see the verse as John Piper has helped me see it:

Loving God (complete submission, adoration, obedience to Jesus) + Called by God (Accepting His Son) = God works all things (good or bad) for good (His perfect plan).

So often people translate the verse to mean this: if I am a Christian or proclaim to be, God will work it for good. I beg to differ because we left out the full equation. Ask yourself, "Am I truly loving God by coming under His authority by being obedient to Him? Do I truly love Him? Is He my Source of all things?" When we don't live obediently we aren't loving God. This doesn't negate our salvation. In order for God's good to be worked out in our lives, we must truly love Him  and this means to live obediently under His authority. He must be our Focus, our Light, our Life.

1 Corinthians 1:8-9 (NLT) He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

God is faithful. He waits patiently for us to realize that we must turn to Him in order for Him to work in our lives. Our salvation is sure but until we allow Him to be our Leader everyday, we won't benefit from the work He wants to do in our lives. We must recognize His authority over ours. The truth is that our authority is limited to what we will choose. What we choose in every situation is critical. Do we choose God's authority and submit to it or do we choose our authority and turn from His will? When we choose God, He works things out for good. When we choose our way, He doesn't, until we turn again to Him.

I've been on an old hymn kick lately, but they seem to say things so well. We used to sing this old hymn when I was growing up and it has stuck with me all these years. Read the words or sing along if you know the tune. They really speak truth.

Trust and Obey

John H. Sammis, 1887 Trust and Obey [.xml]

Daniel B. Towner, 1887

Copyright: Public Domain

Scripture: Psalm 84:11-12

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,

What a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will, He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain:

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,

But His smile quickly drives it away;

Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,

Can abide while we trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,

But our toil He doth richly repay;

Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,

But is blessed if we trust and obey.

But we never can prove the delights of His love

Until all on the altar we lay;

For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,

Are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,

Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;

What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;

Never fear, only trust and obey.

Trust and obey God. There is no other way for Romans 8:28 to apply to us. It's not a magical verse we say when we want things to go our way. We have to sit at His feet and abide by His will. There is no other way. God chose this way for those who choose Him. This was and is His plan all along. He didn't just make it up. It was in place when He created Man and placed them in the Garden.

What will you choose in your walk with Him? I pray that I will always choose Him. My actions tell me that I mess up. But, the good news is that I can turn back to Him at any time and He will work His good in my life. The same holds true for everyone who calls Jesus Lord. So as you go about your day remember this:

Loving God (complete submission, adoration, obedience to Jesus) + Called by God (Accepting His Son) = God works all things (good or bad) for good.


Psalm 84:11-12 (NLT) For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you.

"...what joy for those who trust in you."