The Good News...According To His Purpose
And we knowthat for those who love Godall things work together for good,for those who are calledaccording to his purpose.Romans 8:28 ESV
This verse starts with “And we know”, but I suspect that most of us, myself included, don’t initially know all that this verse is saying. At first glance, this verse sounds like pretty good news. It kind of sounds like God might work all things together for my good, and that sounds good to me. In fact, after reading this verse through just once, I think maybe this verse is one of those that I should memorize. Maybe I should consider making it one of my “life verses”. It is after all a favorite verse for a lot of people I know. But then, if I slow down and read it carefully it looks like one of those verses that requires, and maybe deserves, more thought.Do I really know where I stand with God, or what his purpose for all things is. I think I am safe to say, this is one of the most loved verses in the Bible. But now I am wondering how this really works out! Let’s look at Romans 8:28 carefully.28 And we know that for those who love Godall things work together for good, for those who are calledaccording to his purpose.Romans 8:28 (emphasis mine) First of all, it sounds like this verse is not for all people, but just for those who love God, and for those who are called according to his purpose. Whoa, maybe I should look a little closer. What does this mean for me? And what does it mean for all my friends and loved ones? Maybe I should start reading at the beginning of Romans 8 and look more closely at what is being said before this verse. In fact maybe I should start at the beginning of the book of Romans and read all the way through to this point. And maybe I ought to read what comes after this verse to see if there is further explanation. A close reading of verse 28 makes me wonder how I can really know if I am one of the people who are called according to his purpose. How can I be sure about what this verse really means? I think it sounds pretty important, and eternally important. And not just for me to check out but for everyone to be sure of. What do you say about this? Are you interested in finding out more about this famous verse?If I am wondering about this, maybe other people are wondering too. I wonder how many people, who call this verse one of their favorite Bible verses, have even given this verse a second thought.I should stop and pray right now! “God would you teach me, with your Holy Spirit, and from your Word, what you want me to see in this verse, and what it really means for me and my loved ones?” In Jesus name I pray. Amen______________________________
So, after reading, praying about, and studying all of the first twelve chapters of the book of Romans, I am getting a big picture perspective in view. In fact I would say that these first twelve chapters address the whole human race and the ultimate purpose of mankind. Wow! Starting at Romans 1 and going through Romans 12, we can probably summarize these chapters in four key statements:1. God has revealed Himself in his creation in such a way that everyone human being is “without excuse” for not “honoring God as God, and not giving thanks to Him”. This means that humanity is under God’s wrath for suppressing the truth (unrighteousness). However, the gospel of Christ is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes it. And “the righteous shall live by faith” (righteousness) (Romans 1 & 2) (the general call to all people)2. All humans start out life having a corrupt heart that sins against God, earning death, and are at enmity with God, and will remain separated from God and under his wrath. (Romans 3 & 4)3. God reveals that He freely gives grace, faith, righteousness, forgiveness, adoption, inheritance and eternal life through His Spirit who also produces new birth, new life, new hope and peace with God for all those who believe. (Romans 5 - 7) 4. 1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1) And God works all things for good for those that love him, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8 -12) (the effectual call to God’s elect) When I go back to read all of Chapter 8 from the beginning, I see a contrast/conflict between two kinds of people. People who are “in Christ”, (the saints), and those who are not. First off, it says that those who are “in Christ” no longer have any condemnation for their sins. (vs. 1) They also have been set free from the law of sin and death. (vs.2) Verse 5 says that those in Christ set their minds of things of the spirit, but everyone else sets their minds on things of the flesh (the world). Verse 7 goes like this: 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Romans 8:7 And verse 11 says: 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11This stark contrast found in the Scriptures continues and says that 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:16-17The flipside of this contrast is described in God’s Word like this: 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 … Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. Romans 8:8-9Then the Bible continues the contrast with: 27 …the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 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. Romans 8:27-28Then in the verses that follow Romans 8:28 we see a “golden chain” of events that occur to “all who love God” and are “called according to his purpose”. This is followed by Chapter 9, which may be the hardest chapter in the bible to read, and digest, and believe. And then Chapter 10,11, and 12 explain how God expands his family by expanding his mercy and grace to the church, which is a combination of Jews and Gentiles. This “golden chain” looks like this - Foreknew>Predestined>Called>Justified>Glorified Romans 8:29,30 Whoa! Time to stop and ask God again for wisdom and understanding. “Dear Lord, heavenly Father, please grant wisdom to be able read, understand, and believe all the truth you have given to us in the book of Romans, as with all of your Word. Please teach us by your Spirit, what you want us to know, not what we think we ought to know. All for your Glory, and for the benefit of your children, and for the furtherance of your Kingdom.”______________________________Now look carefully at verse 29 and following.29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29 Notice that everyone that God foreknew he also predestined. Foreknowledge is God’s including me in his plan before I was even alive yet (election). And predestination is looking ahead into eternity future and assuring the elect of their final destination. In the middle links of the chain God’s Spirit calls his sheep, and Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection is the acceptable sacrifice that completely justified the saints by imputing Jesus’ righteousness to them. Also notice that what God begins, He completes by ending the chain with Glory (heaven). This verse, that immediately follows verse 28, shows us what God means about “working all things together for good”. God’s plan is to providentially conform “the called” to the “image of his Son.” And we know that Jesus never sinned even once in his life. And yet He went through an awful lot of persecution and suffering before it all “worked together for good” for Him. So if we are among those who love God and are called by Him, we have been chosen by God to follow a similar path, that starts out pretty bumpy and includes death, but moves out of death, and to resurrection and eternal life. That is the predetermined destiny for both Jesus and for his sheep. The verse goes on to say that Jesus is the “firstborn of many brothers”. In other words we won’t be alone in this new destination, because many of our own “brothers, and sisters” will be there too. We are predestined to spend eternity with Jesus, and with all the called saints of the Most High. This is not just good news, it is GREAT NEWS. The first link in the “golden chain” is foreknowledge. If we look carefully at what Paul says about this we can see an explanation a few verses away in Chapter 9. God loves beforehand the ones He calls later, in an Old Testament sense. God loves Isaac, and then Jacob, in this sense in verse 11 of Ch. 9.11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad— in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— Romans 9:11God loved his elect in eternity past, before they were even born. God’s fore-love is the beginning point of our faith which is later given to us as a free gift (effectual call), in God’s good timing and by God’s abundant grace. This faith is a part of the generous bundle of gifts given to us as God’s children and shows how God “works all things together for good” “for those He calls.” What starts with God’s love in eternity past then points to eternity future by giving us a promise regarding our final destiny. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined… God’s act of working all things together for good covers believer’s past sins, present sins, and future sins, and promises a future destiny (home) in Glory. Who else but an all powerful and all wise God could work that all out11 In him (Jesus) we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, Ephesians 1:11Every believer, even those who don’t like the idea of predestination, give thanks to God for their salvation. In so doing they are acting like a believer who loves God, and has been called by Him into his family, and has been fore-loved and predestined according to God’s good purpose, and is thankful for all of that. Romans 1: 21 contrasts that with the response of unbelievers: 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Believers, saints, have been “foreknown” by God and have been “born again by God’s Spirit”, and had the “eyes of their hearts enlightened”, so they can see, hear, and believe the truth of the gospel (Romans 10:12-17). Additionally they have been “predestined”, and at just the “right time will be “called” by “gospel in God’s Word” (the gospel of the person and works of Jesus Christ) and are made a new creation in Christ by God’s Spirit.18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, Ephesians 1:18
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:1730 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Romans 8:30If God has written your name in the Lamb’s Book of Life before the foundation of the world (Rev. 8:13), you have been foreknown and predestined. That ensures that a time will come that you will be effectually called by Jesus. Because God has given you to his Son for this purpose, you will hear and recognize Jesus’ voice and follow Him. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. John 10:326 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” John 10:26-30 (emphasis mine)Jesus calls us in many different ways. It might be in church during a sermon, at Vacation Bible School, or on the radio, or by the words of a friend or family member, or even by reading a book. At some time in your life God’s Holy Spirit will remove from you your heart of stone, remove your blind eyes, and deaf ears and give you new birth, and a new spirit. (Ezek. 12:2 and 36:26) This new birth, at your conversion, brings you a new heart, new eyes, and new ears that will, for the first time in your life, recognize Jesus’ voice calling you and your new heart will desire to follow him. You will receive the free gift of faith, and like Abraham you are now justified by faith and have peace with God. (Romans 5:1)Everyone who is called is justified… All humans begin their lives having inherited certain characteristics, such as a corrupt heart, from their “first parents” Adam and Eve.Everyone who has been born only once, by their mother, is living under God’s wrath, is at enmity with God, and is slave to sin and death. (Romans 1:18-20, James 4:4, John 8:34) But… The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:2317 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17Everyone who has been born again by God’s Spirit (John 3:1-8) has been “declared righteous” by God because of something called the “great exchange”. For all born again believers, the complete penalty for their sins was put onto Jesus at the cross, and the complete righteousness of Jesus was transferred and applied to the forgiven believer. The sin problem that had been passed on by, and inherited from, Adam and Eve has been exchanged for the new inheritance of righteousness from Jesus our Lord. This kind of righteousness is justification in God’s eyes, and comes by faith alone, in Christ alone, by God’s Spirit alone, for God’s glory alone. “those whom he justified he also glorified “Having been justified by God’s gift of righteousness by faith, a saving faith that believes in Jesus’ life, sacrificial death, and resurrection, and born again by God’s own Spirit, and having been by called by God’s WORD, we now are sure and certain that our destination is Glory. And Glory is also known as heaven, or the new heavens, new earth, and new Jerusalem, where we will live in God’s presence forever. This brings us to the last part of Romans 8:28- according to his purpose. God has had an overarching purpose for his whole universe since before the “beginning,” and that includes all of time, eternity past to eternity future. ______________________________
John Piper explains it like this:“Between eternity past in God’s predestination, and eternity future in God’s glorification, none is lost.No one who is predestined for sonship fails to be called. And no one who is called fails to be justified. And no one who is justified fails to be glorified. This is an unbreakable steel chain of divine covenant faithfulness.And so Paul says, 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. (Philippians 1:6) [He] will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:8–9)These are the promises of our God who cannot lie. Those who are born again are as secure as God is faithful.” (a devotional by John Piper, Solid Joys)______________________________
All of this is: The Good News… According To His Purpose!!!Wow, salvation is so much more than just a fix for my sin problem! It is God’s loving act of grace to accomplish his purposes for all of time. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.______________________________
“Thank you, thank you, thank you God for including me in your plan out of your love, and then working all things together for my good, and even calling me your adopted child, all for your wonderful purposes and my extreme joy in Jesus!!!”
This verse starts with “And we know”, but I suspect that most of us, myself included, don’t initially know all that this verse is saying. At first glance, this verse sounds like pretty good news. It kind of sounds like God might work all things together for my good, and that sounds good to me. In fact, after reading this verse through just once, I think maybe this verse is one of those that I should memorize. Maybe I should consider making it one of my “life verses”. It is after all a favorite verse for a lot of people I know. But then, if I slow down and read it carefully it looks like one of those verses that requires, and maybe deserves, more thought.Do I really know where I stand with God, or what his purpose for all things is. I think I am safe to say, this is one of the most loved verses in the Bible. But now I am wondering how this really works out! Let’s look at Romans 8:28 carefully.28 And we know that for those who love Godall things work together for good, for those who are calledaccording to his purpose.Romans 8:28 (emphasis mine) First of all, it sounds like this verse is not for all people, but just for those who love God, and for those who are called according to his purpose. Whoa, maybe I should look a little closer. What does this mean for me? And what does it mean for all my friends and loved ones? Maybe I should start reading at the beginning of Romans 8 and look more closely at what is being said before this verse. In fact maybe I should start at the beginning of the book of Romans and read all the way through to this point. And maybe I ought to read what comes after this verse to see if there is further explanation. A close reading of verse 28 makes me wonder how I can really know if I am one of the people who are called according to his purpose. How can I be sure about what this verse really means? I think it sounds pretty important, and eternally important. And not just for me to check out but for everyone to be sure of. What do you say about this? Are you interested in finding out more about this famous verse?If I am wondering about this, maybe other people are wondering too. I wonder how many people, who call this verse one of their favorite Bible verses, have even given this verse a second thought.I should stop and pray right now! “God would you teach me, with your Holy Spirit, and from your Word, what you want me to see in this verse, and what it really means for me and my loved ones?” In Jesus name I pray. Amen______________________________
So, after reading, praying about, and studying all of the first twelve chapters of the book of Romans, I am getting a big picture perspective in view. In fact I would say that these first twelve chapters address the whole human race and the ultimate purpose of mankind. Wow! Starting at Romans 1 and going through Romans 12, we can probably summarize these chapters in four key statements:1. God has revealed Himself in his creation in such a way that everyone human being is “without excuse” for not “honoring God as God, and not giving thanks to Him”. This means that humanity is under God’s wrath for suppressing the truth (unrighteousness). However, the gospel of Christ is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes it. And “the righteous shall live by faith” (righteousness) (Romans 1 & 2) (the general call to all people)2. All humans start out life having a corrupt heart that sins against God, earning death, and are at enmity with God, and will remain separated from God and under his wrath. (Romans 3 & 4)3. God reveals that He freely gives grace, faith, righteousness, forgiveness, adoption, inheritance and eternal life through His Spirit who also produces new birth, new life, new hope and peace with God for all those who believe. (Romans 5 - 7) 4. 1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1) And God works all things for good for those that love him, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8 -12) (the effectual call to God’s elect) When I go back to read all of Chapter 8 from the beginning, I see a contrast/conflict between two kinds of people. People who are “in Christ”, (the saints), and those who are not. First off, it says that those who are “in Christ” no longer have any condemnation for their sins. (vs. 1) They also have been set free from the law of sin and death. (vs.2) Verse 5 says that those in Christ set their minds of things of the spirit, but everyone else sets their minds on things of the flesh (the world). Verse 7 goes like this: 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Romans 8:7 And verse 11 says: 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11This stark contrast found in the Scriptures continues and says that 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:16-17The flipside of this contrast is described in God’s Word like this: 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 … Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. Romans 8:8-9Then the Bible continues the contrast with: 27 …the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 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. Romans 8:27-28Then in the verses that follow Romans 8:28 we see a “golden chain” of events that occur to “all who love God” and are “called according to his purpose”. This is followed by Chapter 9, which may be the hardest chapter in the bible to read, and digest, and believe. And then Chapter 10,11, and 12 explain how God expands his family by expanding his mercy and grace to the church, which is a combination of Jews and Gentiles. This “golden chain” looks like this - Foreknew>Predestined>Called>Justified>Glorified Romans 8:29,30 Whoa! Time to stop and ask God again for wisdom and understanding. “Dear Lord, heavenly Father, please grant wisdom to be able read, understand, and believe all the truth you have given to us in the book of Romans, as with all of your Word. Please teach us by your Spirit, what you want us to know, not what we think we ought to know. All for your Glory, and for the benefit of your children, and for the furtherance of your Kingdom.”______________________________Now look carefully at verse 29 and following.29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29 Notice that everyone that God foreknew he also predestined. Foreknowledge is God’s including me in his plan before I was even alive yet (election). And predestination is looking ahead into eternity future and assuring the elect of their final destination. In the middle links of the chain God’s Spirit calls his sheep, and Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection is the acceptable sacrifice that completely justified the saints by imputing Jesus’ righteousness to them. Also notice that what God begins, He completes by ending the chain with Glory (heaven). This verse, that immediately follows verse 28, shows us what God means about “working all things together for good”. God’s plan is to providentially conform “the called” to the “image of his Son.” And we know that Jesus never sinned even once in his life. And yet He went through an awful lot of persecution and suffering before it all “worked together for good” for Him. So if we are among those who love God and are called by Him, we have been chosen by God to follow a similar path, that starts out pretty bumpy and includes death, but moves out of death, and to resurrection and eternal life. That is the predetermined destiny for both Jesus and for his sheep. The verse goes on to say that Jesus is the “firstborn of many brothers”. In other words we won’t be alone in this new destination, because many of our own “brothers, and sisters” will be there too. We are predestined to spend eternity with Jesus, and with all the called saints of the Most High. This is not just good news, it is GREAT NEWS. The first link in the “golden chain” is foreknowledge. If we look carefully at what Paul says about this we can see an explanation a few verses away in Chapter 9. God loves beforehand the ones He calls later, in an Old Testament sense. God loves Isaac, and then Jacob, in this sense in verse 11 of Ch. 9.11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad— in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— Romans 9:11God loved his elect in eternity past, before they were even born. God’s fore-love is the beginning point of our faith which is later given to us as a free gift (effectual call), in God’s good timing and by God’s abundant grace. This faith is a part of the generous bundle of gifts given to us as God’s children and shows how God “works all things together for good” “for those He calls.” What starts with God’s love in eternity past then points to eternity future by giving us a promise regarding our final destiny. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined… God’s act of working all things together for good covers believer’s past sins, present sins, and future sins, and promises a future destiny (home) in Glory. Who else but an all powerful and all wise God could work that all out11 In him (Jesus) we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, Ephesians 1:11Every believer, even those who don’t like the idea of predestination, give thanks to God for their salvation. In so doing they are acting like a believer who loves God, and has been called by Him into his family, and has been fore-loved and predestined according to God’s good purpose, and is thankful for all of that. Romans 1: 21 contrasts that with the response of unbelievers: 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Believers, saints, have been “foreknown” by God and have been “born again by God’s Spirit”, and had the “eyes of their hearts enlightened”, so they can see, hear, and believe the truth of the gospel (Romans 10:12-17). Additionally they have been “predestined”, and at just the “right time will be “called” by “gospel in God’s Word” (the gospel of the person and works of Jesus Christ) and are made a new creation in Christ by God’s Spirit.18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, Ephesians 1:18
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:1730 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Romans 8:30If God has written your name in the Lamb’s Book of Life before the foundation of the world (Rev. 8:13), you have been foreknown and predestined. That ensures that a time will come that you will be effectually called by Jesus. Because God has given you to his Son for this purpose, you will hear and recognize Jesus’ voice and follow Him. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. John 10:326 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” John 10:26-30 (emphasis mine)Jesus calls us in many different ways. It might be in church during a sermon, at Vacation Bible School, or on the radio, or by the words of a friend or family member, or even by reading a book. At some time in your life God’s Holy Spirit will remove from you your heart of stone, remove your blind eyes, and deaf ears and give you new birth, and a new spirit. (Ezek. 12:2 and 36:26) This new birth, at your conversion, brings you a new heart, new eyes, and new ears that will, for the first time in your life, recognize Jesus’ voice calling you and your new heart will desire to follow him. You will receive the free gift of faith, and like Abraham you are now justified by faith and have peace with God. (Romans 5:1)Everyone who is called is justified… All humans begin their lives having inherited certain characteristics, such as a corrupt heart, from their “first parents” Adam and Eve.Everyone who has been born only once, by their mother, is living under God’s wrath, is at enmity with God, and is slave to sin and death. (Romans 1:18-20, James 4:4, John 8:34) But… The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:2317 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17Everyone who has been born again by God’s Spirit (John 3:1-8) has been “declared righteous” by God because of something called the “great exchange”. For all born again believers, the complete penalty for their sins was put onto Jesus at the cross, and the complete righteousness of Jesus was transferred and applied to the forgiven believer. The sin problem that had been passed on by, and inherited from, Adam and Eve has been exchanged for the new inheritance of righteousness from Jesus our Lord. This kind of righteousness is justification in God’s eyes, and comes by faith alone, in Christ alone, by God’s Spirit alone, for God’s glory alone. “those whom he justified he also glorified “Having been justified by God’s gift of righteousness by faith, a saving faith that believes in Jesus’ life, sacrificial death, and resurrection, and born again by God’s own Spirit, and having been by called by God’s WORD, we now are sure and certain that our destination is Glory. And Glory is also known as heaven, or the new heavens, new earth, and new Jerusalem, where we will live in God’s presence forever. This brings us to the last part of Romans 8:28- according to his purpose. God has had an overarching purpose for his whole universe since before the “beginning,” and that includes all of time, eternity past to eternity future. ______________________________
John Piper explains it like this:“Between eternity past in God’s predestination, and eternity future in God’s glorification, none is lost.No one who is predestined for sonship fails to be called. And no one who is called fails to be justified. And no one who is justified fails to be glorified. This is an unbreakable steel chain of divine covenant faithfulness.And so Paul says, 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. (Philippians 1:6) [He] will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:8–9)These are the promises of our God who cannot lie. Those who are born again are as secure as God is faithful.” (a devotional by John Piper, Solid Joys)______________________________
All of this is: The Good News… According To His Purpose!!!Wow, salvation is so much more than just a fix for my sin problem! It is God’s loving act of grace to accomplish his purposes for all of time. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.______________________________
“Thank you, thank you, thank you God for including me in your plan out of your love, and then working all things together for my good, and even calling me your adopted child, all for your wonderful purposes and my extreme joy in Jesus!!!”