Feeds:
Posts
Comments

The Goodness and Love of God by Henry Scougal

January 2, 2010 by ADMIN

Nothing is more powerful to engage our affection than to find that we are beloved. Expressions of kindness are always pleasing and acceptable unto us, though the person should be otherwise mean and contemptible. But, to have the love of One who is altogether lovely, to know that the glorious Majesty of heaven hath any regard unto us, how must this astonish and delight us, how must it overcome our spirits and melt our hearts, and put our whole soul into a flame!

Now, as the Word of God is flail of the expressions of his love toward man, so all his works do loudly proclaim it. He gave us our being, and, by preserving us in it, doth renew the donation every moment. But, lest we should think these testimonies of his kindness less considerable, because they are the easy issues of his omnipotent power, and do not put him to any trouble or pain, he hath taken a more wonderful method to endear himself to us: he hath testified his affection to us by suffering as well as by doing; and because he could not suffer in his own nature, he assumed ours. The eternal Son of God did clothe himself with the infirmities of our flesh, and left the company of those innocent and blessed spirits, who knew well how to love and adore him, that he might dwell among men, and wrestle with the obstinacy of that rebellious race to reduce them to their allegiance and felicity, by offering himself up as a sacrifice and propitiation for them.

The account which we have of our Savior’s life in the gospel, doth all along present us with the story of his love; all the pains that he took, and troubles that he endured, were wonderful effects and uncontrollable evidences of it. But oh! that last, that dismal scene! Is it possible to remember it and question his kindness, or deny him ours? Here, here it is, my dear friend, that we should fix our most serious and solemn thoughts, “That Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith, that we being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height: and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that we may be filled with all the fulness of God” (Eph 3:17-19).

I remember one of the poets hath an ingenious fancy to express the passion wherewith he found himself overcome after long resistance; that the God of love had shot all his golden arrows at him, but could not pierce his heart, till at length he put himself into the bow, and darted himself straight into his breast!

The current formatting and editing is copyrighted by Jim Ehrhard, 1999. You are permitted to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that: (1) you credit the author; (2) any modifications are clearly marked; (3) you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction; and (4) you do not make more than 100 copies without permission. If you would like to post this material to your web site or make any use other than as defined above, please contact Teaching Resources International

Posted in Henry Scougal |

The Witness of the Spirit by Thomas Brooks

January 2, 2010 by ADMIN

“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.” Romans 8:16

1. It is inward and secret.

First, The Spirit of Christ doth not witness by any outward voice, as God did from heaven of (Mat. 3:17); nor by an angel, as to the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:30-34); but in an inward, secret, glorious, and unspeakable way he bids believers be of good cheer, their sins are forgiven them, as Christ said to the palsied man in the Gospel (Mat. 9:2). And this truth is to be solemnly observed against those poor deceived and deluded souls in these days that would make the world believe that they have had such and such glorious things made known by an outward, audible voice from heaven.

It is much to be feared that they never found the inward, the sweet, tire secret, the powerful testimony and report of the Spirit of Christ. that boast, and brag, and rest so much upon an outward testimony. In 1 Kings 19:11-13, you read of “a great strong wind that rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks: but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind there was an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire there was a still small voice,” and the Lord spake to Elijah in that still small voice. Ah, Christians! the Spirit of the Lord makes not a noise, but he comes in a still small voice, as I may say, and makes a soft and secret report to the soul, that it is beloved, that it is pardoned, and that it shall be for ever glorified.

2. It is gained in holy ways.

Secondly, the testimony and witness of the Spirit of Christ is only gained and enjoyed in holy and heavenly ways, as you may clearly see by comparing the following Scriptures together: Acts 10:4; Dan. 9:22; Isa. 64:5; Acts 10:44. The Spirit of the Lord is a Holy Spirit, and he cannot, he will not, make any report of the love of the Father to the soul out of a way of holiness.

Verily, all those glorious reports that many boast they have met with in sinful ways, in wretched and ungodly ways, are from the hissing of the old serpent, and not from the whisperings of the Spirit of grace. I think it is little less than blasphemy for any to affirm, that the blessed Spirit of Christ doth make reports of the love and favor of God to persons walking in ways of wickedness and baseness.

3. It is clear, full, and satisfying.

Thirdly, the testimony and witness of the Spirit of Christ, is a clear, a full, a satisfying testimony and witness, John 14:17; 1 John 3:24. The soul sits down under the home-reports of the Spirit, and saith, Lord, it is enough; the soul being full, sits down and sweetly sings it out: “My beloved is mine, and I am his. I am my well-beloved’s, and his desire is towards me,” Song of Solomon 2:16, and 7:10. “The Lord is my portion and the lot of mine inheritance,” Psalm. 16:5. “I have none in heaven but thee, neither is there any on earth that I desire in comparison of thee,” Psalm 73:15. “Henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,” 2 Tim. 4:8. “Make haste, my beloved,” Song of Solomon, 8:14.

Such power, majesty, and glory, attends the glorious testimony of the Spirit of Christ, as scatters all clouds, as resolves all doubts, as answers all objections, and as silences the wrangling soul. If the testimony of the Spirit of Christ were not a full, satisfying testimony, it could never fill the soul with such joy as is “unspeakable and full of glory,” and with “such peace as passes understanding;” if the testimony were not satisfactory, the soul would still be under fears and doubts, the heart would still be a-wrangling and complaining that it might be left to perish and to find the door of mercy shut against it. If you bring news to a condemned person that the king hath pardoned him, and that he will receive him to favor, and confer such and such dignity upon him, yet this doth pot quiet him nor satisfy him, till he knows it is the king’s act. Till he is satisfied in that, he cannot say it is enough, he cannot be cheerful, he cannot be full of delight. But when he is satisfied that it is the king’s act, that the king hath certainly done this and that for him, then he is satisfied, and then sighing and mourning flies away, and then he rejoices with joy unspeakable. So it is with a believing soul under the testimony and witness of the spirit of Christ.

4. It is not operative in all believers.

Fourthly, though the Spirit be a witnessing Spirit, yet he doth not always witness to believers their adoption, and their interest in Christ. There is a mighty difference between the working of the Spirit and the witness of the Spirit. There are often tunes many glorious and efficacious works of the Spirit, as faith, love, repentance, and holiness, where there is not the witness of the Spirit, Isa. 50:10. David at that very time had the Spirit, and many sweet workings of the Spirit in him and upon him, when he had by sin lost the witness and testimony of the Spirit, Psalm 51:10-12.

Though the Spirit of the Lord be a witnessing and a sealing Spirit, yet he doth not always witness and seal up the love and favor of the Father to believers’ souls, as you may see by the following scriptures, and as the experience of many precious Christians can abundantly evidence: Job 23:8, 9; 1 John 5:13; Psalms 88 and 77; Micah 7:8, 9; Isa. 8: 17. All believers do not see a like need of this testimony, they do not all alike prize this testimony, they do not all alike observe it and make good use of it; and, therefore, it is no wonder if the Spirit be a witnessing Spirit to some and not to others. You do but gratify Satan and wrong your own souls, when you argue that certainly you have not the Spirit, because he is not a witnessing and a sealing Spirit to your souls. Though it be the office of the Spirit to witness, yet it is not his office always to witness to believers their happiness and blessedness.

The Spirit may act one way and in one room of the soul, when he doth not act in another. Sometimes the Spirit works upon the understanding, sometimes upon the will, sometimes upon the affections, sometimes upon faith, sometimes upon fear, sometimes upon love, sometimes upon humility. Our hearts are the Spirit’s harps. If a man should always touch one string in an instrument, he would never play various tunes, he would never make pleasant music; no more would the Spirit, if he should be always a-doing one thing in the soul. Therefore he acts variously. Sometimes he will shew himself a quickening Spirit. sometimes an enlightening Spirit, sometimes a rejoicing Spirit, sometimes a sealing Spirit, and always a supporting Spirit.

5. It is a sure testimony.

Fifthly, the testimony and witness of the Spirit is a sure testimony, a sure witness. The Spirit is truth itself; he is the great searcher of the deep things of God. The Spirit of the Lord is the discoverer, the confuter, and destroyer of all false spirits. The Spirit is above all possibility of being deceived; he is omnipotent, he is omniscient, he is omnipresent; he is one of the cabinet council of heaven. He lives in the bosom of the Father, and can call them all by name upon whom the Father hath set his heart, and therefore his testimony must needs be true. It is a surer testimony than if a man should hear a voice from heaven pronouncing him to be happy and blessed. You may safely and securely lay the weight of your souls upon this testimony; it never bath deceived, it never will deceive any that bath leaned upon it. This testimony will be a rock that will bear up a soul, when other false testimonies will be but “a reed of Egypt” that will deceive the soul, that will undo the soul; as I am afraid many in this age of delusion have found by sad experience.

6. It is always accompanied by the testimony of our own spirit.

Sixthly, the testimony of God’s Spirit is always accompanied with the testimony of our own spirit. These may be distinguished, but they can never be separated. When the Spirit of God bears his witness for a man, the man’s own spirit doth not witness against him. Look, as face answers to face, so doth the witness of a believer’s spirit answer to the witness of the Spirit of Christ. Rom. 8:16, “The Spirit witnesseth together with our spirits that we be the sons of God.” Now, if our own consciences do not testify first that we are sons and heirs, the Spirit doth not testify; for the Spirit bears witness together with our spirits. The Word is very express [clear] in 1 John 3:21, “But if our hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. But if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things.” 1 John 5:8-12.

7. It is always according to scripture.

Seventhly, the witness of the Spirit is ever according to the Word. There is a sweet harmony between the inward and the outward testimony, between the Spirit of God and the Word of God. The scriptures were all [inspired] by the Spirit (2 Pet. 1:20, 21) and therefore the Spirit cannot contradict himself, which he would do, if he should give any testimony contrary to the testimony of the Word. It is blasphemy to make the testimony of the Spirit to contradict the testimony of the Word. The Spirit hath revealed his whole mind in the Word, and he will not give a contrary testimony to what he hath given in the Word. The Word saith, They that are born again, that are new creatures, that believe and repent, shall be saved. But thou art born again, thou art a new creature, thou believest and repentest; therefore thou shalt be saved, saith the Spirit. The Spirit never looseth where the Word bindeth, the Spirit never justifies where the Word condemns, the Spirit never approves where the Word disapproves, the Spirit never blesses where the Word curses.

In the Old Testament all revelations were to be examined by the Word, Deut. 13:1-4. Isa. 8:20, “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light (or no morning) in them.” So in that of John 16:13, “The Spirit shall lead you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but what he shall hear, that shall he speak.” Here the Holy Ghost is brought in as some messenger or ambassador who only relates things faithfully according to that he hath in charge. Such as look and lean upon the hissing of the old serpent may have a testimony that they are blessed, against the testimony of the Word: but wherever the Spirit of Christ gives his testimony, it is always according to the Word.

8. It is holy.

Eighthly, it is a holy witness, a holy testimony. Nothing makes the heart delight more in the love, study, practice, and growth of holiness, than the glorious testimony of the Holy Spirit; and the more clear and full the testimony is, the more holy and gracious it will make the soul. Nothing puts upon the soul such golden engagements to holiness, as the Spirit sealing a man up to the day of redemption, as the Spirit speaking and sealing peace, love, and pardon to the soul, Psalm 85:8; 1 Cor. 15:31; 2 Cor. 5:14. Nothing makes a man more careful to please Christ, more fearful to offend Christ, more studious to exalt Christ, and more circumspect to walk with Christ, than this testimony of the Spirit of Christ.

Verily, that is not the blessed whispering of Christ’s Spirit, but the hissing of the old serpent, that makes men bold with sin, that makes men daily with sin, that makes man a servant to sin, that breeds a contempt of ordinances, a neglect of holy duties, a carelessness in walking with God.

9. It is only bestowed on renewed hearts.

Ninthly and lastly, assurance is a jewel, a pearl of such price, that God only bestows it upon renewed hearts. The Spirit never sets his seal upon any, but upon those that Christ hath first printed his image upon. God gives the white stone, Rev. 2:17, but only to those from whom he hath taken the heart of stone (Ezek. 36:25-27 compared). Christ never tells a man that his name is written in the book of life, till he hath breathed into him spiritual life, Luke 10:20. Christ never says, “Son, be of good cheer, thy sin is pardoned,” till he hath first said, “Be thou healed, be thou cleansed,” Luke 5:18-20. Christ never gives a man a new name that is better than the names of sons and daughters, till he hath made him a new creature, Isa. 56:5; 2 Cor. 5:17. Of slaves Christ first makes us sons, before we cry Abba, Father, Rom. 8:15. Of enemies, he first makes us friends, before he will make us of his court and household, Eph. 2:13-20. Christ will never hang a pearl in a swine’s snout, nor put new wine into old bottles, nor his royal robes upon a leprous back, nor his golden chain about a dead man’s neck, nor his glistering crown upon a traitor’s head.

The Spirit never sets his seal upon any but those that Christ hath first set as a seal upon his heart, Eph. 1:13; Song of Solomon 8:6. The Spirit only bears witness to such as hate sin as Christ hates it, and that love righteousness as Christ loves it, that hate sin more than hell, and that love truth more than life, Psalm 45:7

Excerpted and edited from Heaven on Earth.

The current formatting and editing is copyrighted by Jim Ehrhard, 1999. You are permitted to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that: (1) you credit the author; (2) any modifications are clearly marked; (3) you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction; and (4) you do not make more than 100 copies without permission. If you would like to post this material to your web site or make any use other than as defined above, please contact Teaching Resources International

Posted in Thomas Brooks |

The Cross Providences of God by Thomas Brooks

January 2, 2010 by ADMIN

By working the soul to make false inferences from the cross actings of providence. Saith Satan, “Dost thou not see how Providence crosses thy prayers, and crosses thy desires, thy tears, thy hopes, thy endeavors?” Surely if his love were towards thee, if his soul did delight and take pleasure in thee, he would not deal thus with thee.

Remedy (1). The first remedy against this device of Satan is, solemnly to consider, That many things may be cross to our desires that are not cross to our good. Abraham, Jacob, David, Job, Moses, Jeremiah, Jonah, and Paul met with many things that were contrary to their desires and endeavors, that were not contrary to their good; as all know that have wisely compared their desires and endeavors and God’s actings together. Physic [medicines] often works contrary to the patients’ desires, when it doth not work contrary to their good.

I remember a story of a godly man, who had a great desire to go to France, and as he was going to take shipping he broke his leg; and it pleased Providence so to order it, that the ship that he should have gone in at that very same time was cast away, and not a man saved; and so by breaking a bone his life was saved. Though Providence did work cross to his desire, yet it did not work cross to his good.

Remedy (2). The second remedy against this device of Satan is, solemnly to consider, That the hand of God may be against a man, when the love and heart of God is much set upon a man. No man can conclude how the heart of God stands by his hand. The hand of God was against Ephraim, and yet his love, his heart, was dearly set upon Ephraim: “I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus: Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke. Turn thou me, and I shall he turned; for thou art the lord my God. Surely, after that I was returned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh; I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth. Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he a pleasant child? For since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still. Therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord” (Jer. 31:18-20).

God can look sourly, and chide bitterly, and strike heavily, even where and when he loves dearly, The hand of God was very much against Job, and yet his love, his heart, was very much set upon Job, as you may see by comparing chapters 1 and 2, with 41 and 42. The hand of God was sore against David and Jonah, when his heart was much set upon them. He that shall conclude that the heart of God is against those that his hand is against, will condemn the generation of the just, whom God unjustly would not have condemned.

Remedy (3). The third remedy against this device of Satan, is, to consider, That all the cross providences that befall the saints are but in order to some noble good that God doth intend to prefer [confer] upon them. Providence wrought cross to David’s desire in taking away the child sinfully begotten, but yet not cross to more noble good; for was it not far better for David to have such a legitimate heir as Solomon was, than that a bastard should wear the crown, and sway the scepter?

Joseph, you know, was sold into a far country by the envy and malice of his brethren, and afterwards imprisoned because he would not be a prisoner to his mistress’s lusts; yet all these providences did wonderfully conduce to his advancement, and the preservation of his father’s family, which was then the visible church of Christ. It was so handled by a noble hand of providence, that what they sought to decline [injure], they did promote. Joseph was therefore sold by his brethren that he might not be worshipped, and yet he was therefore worshipped because he was sold.

David was designed to a kingdom, but oh the straits, troubles, and deaths that he runs through before he feels the weight of his crown! And all this was but in order to the sweetening of his crown, and to the settling of it more firmly and gloriously upon his head. God did so contrive it that Jonah’s offense, and those cross actings of his that did attend it, should advantage that end which they seemed most directly to oppose. Jonah he flies to Tarshish, then cast into the sea, then saved by a miracle. Then the mariners, as it is very probable, who cast Jonah Into the sea, declared to the Ninevites what had happened; therefore he must be a man sent of God, and that his threatenings must be believed and hearkened to, and therefore they must repent and humble themselves, that the wrath threatened might not be executed.

Remedy (4). The fourth remedy against this device of Satan is, seriously to consider, That all the strange, dark, deep, and changeable providences that believers meet with, shall further them in their way to heaven, in their journey to happiness. Divine wisdom and love will so order all things here below, that they shall work for the real, internal, and eternal good of them that love him. All the rugged providences that David met with did contribute to the bringing of him to the throne; and all the rugged providences that Daniel and the “three children” met with did contribute to their great advancement. So all the rugged providences that believers meet with, they shall all contribute to the lifting up of their souls above all things, below God. As the waters lifted up Noah’s ark nearer heaven, and as all the stones that were about Stephen’s ears did but knock him the closer to Christ, the cornerstone, so all the strange rugged providences that we meet with, they shall raise us nearer heaven, and knock us nearer to Christ, that precious cornerstone.

Remedy (5). That all the troubles and afflictions that you meet with in a way of righteousness shall never hurt you, they shall never harm you. All the afflictions that attend men in a way of righteousness can never rob them of their treasure, of their jewels. They may rob them of some slight things, as the sword that is by their side, or the stick in their hand, or of the flowers or ribbons that be in their hats. The treasures of a saint are the presence of God, the favor of God, union and communion with God, the pardon of sin, the joy of the Spirit, the peace of conscience, which are jewels that none can give but Christ, nor none can take away but Christ.

Now why should a gracious soul keep off from a way of holiness because of afflictions, when no afflictions can strip a man of his heavenly jewels which are his ornaments and his safety here, and will be his happiness and glory hereafter? Why should that man be afraid, or troubled for storms at sea, whose treasures are sure, his grace is safe, his comfort is safe, and his crown is safe in the hand of Christ. “I know him in whom I have believed, and that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him until that day,” saith the apostle (2 Tim. 1:12). The child’s most precious things are most secure in his father’s hands; so are our souls, our graces, and our comforts in the hand of Christ.

Excerpted and edited from Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices.

The current formatting and editing is copyrighted by Jim Ehrhard, 1999. You are permitted to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that: (1) you credit the author; (2) any modifications are clearly marked; (3) you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction; and (4) you do not make more than 100 copies without permission. If you would like to post this material to your web site or make any use other than as defined above, please contact Teaching Resources International

Posted in Thomas Brooks |

A Divine Cordial by Thomas Watson

January 2, 2010 by ADMIN

A Divine Cordial

We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Introduction

If the whole Scripture be the feast of the soul, as Ambrose said, then Roman. 8 may be a dish at that feast, and with its sweet variety may very much refresh and animate the hearts of God’s people. In the preceding verses the apostle had been wading through the great doctrines of justification and adoption, mysteries so arduous and profound, that without the help and conduct of the Spirit, he might soon have waded beyond his depth. In this verse the apostle touches upon that pleasant string of consolation: “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God.” Not a word but is weighty; therefore I shall gather up every filing of this gold, that nothing be lost.

In the text there are three general branches: First, a glorious privilege–All things work for good. Second, the persons interested in this privilege. They are doubly specified. They are lovers of God–they are the called. Third, the origin and spring of this effectual calling, set down in these words, “according to his purpose.”

First, the glorious privilege. Here are two things to be considered.

1. The certainty of the privilege–“We know.” 2. The excellency of the privilege–“All things work together for good.”

1. The Certainty Of The Privilege.

“We know.” It is not a matter wavering or doubtful. The apostle does not say, We hope, or conjecture, but it is like an article in our creed, We KNOW that all things work for good. Hence observe that the truths of the gospel are evident and infallible.

A Christian may come not merely to a vague opinion, but to a certainty of what he holds. As axioms and aphorisms are evident to reason, so the truths of religion are evident to faith. “We know,” says the apostle. Though a Christian has not a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the gospel, yet he has a certain knowledge. “We see through a glass darkly” (I Cor. 13:11), therefore we have not perfection of knowledge; but “we behold with open face” (I Cor.. 3:18), therefore we have certainty. The Spirit of God imprints heavenly truths upon the heart as with the point of a diamond. A Christian may know infallibly that there is an evil in sin, and a beauty in holiness. He may know that he is in the state of grace. “We know that we have passed from death to life” (I John 3:14).

He may know that he shall go to heaven. “We know that if our earthly tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (I Cor. 5:1). The Lord does not leave His people at uncertainties in matters of salvation. The apostle says, “We know.” We have arrived at a holy confidence. We have both the Spirit of God, and our own experience, setting seal to it.

Let us then not rest in skepticism or doubts, but labor to come to a certainty in the things of religion. As a martyr-woman said, “I cannot dispute for Christ, but I can burn for Christ.” God knows whether we may be called forth to be witnesses to His truth; therefore it concerns us to be well grounded and confirmed in it. If we are doubting Christians, we shall be wavering Christians. Whence is apostasy, but from incredulity? Men first question the truth, and then fall from the truth. Oh, beg the Spirit of God, not only to anoint you, but to seal you (2 Cor. 1:22).

2. The Excellency Of The Privilege.

“All things work together for good.” This is as Jacob’s staff in the hand of faith, with which we may walk cheerfully to the mount of God. What will satisfy or make us content, if this will not? All things work together for good. This expression “work together” together refers to medicine. Several poisonous ingredients put together, being tempered by the skill of the apothecary, make a sovereign medicine, and work together for the good of the patient. So all God’s providences, being divinely tempered and sanctified, work together for the best to the saints. He who loves God and is called according to His purpose, may rest assured that every thing in the world shall be for his good. This is a Christian’s cordial, which may warm him make him like Jonathan who, when he had tasted the honey at the end of the rod, `his eyes were enlightened.” (I Sam. 14:17). Why should a Christian destroy himself? Why should he kill himself with care, when all things shall sweetly concur, yea, conspire for his good? The result of the text is this: all the various dealings of God with His children do by a special providence turn to their good. “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant” (Psalm 25:10). If every path has mercy in it, then it works for good.

The current formatting and editing is copyrighted by Jim Ehrhard, 1999. You are permitted to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that: (1) you credit the author; (2) any modifications are clearly marked; (3) you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction; and (4) you do not make more than 100 copies without permission. If you would like to post this material to your web site or make any use other than as defined above, please contact Teaching Resources International

Posted in Thomas Watson |

The Security of Sovereignty by Jim Ehrhard

January 2, 2010 by ADMIN

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

Every one of us experiences times in our lives when we wonder where God is and how He could let us go through such a situation as we are presently facing. During such times, many are tempted to ask wonder, “How could anything good come out of this?” Often we express our frustration: “If you really love me God, how could you let anything like this happen to me?”

In such times, we need to return to Romans 8:28 and meditate upon its meaning. Romans 8:28 is one of the best loved and most often memorized passages in the Bible. But far too frequently we have quoted the verse without really understanding the truths contained in it.

To begin with, every blessing and comfort in this verse is contingent on one thing: Is God sovereign over all that happens? I emphasize the word “all” because every Christian acknowledges the sovereignty of God in a general way, or over certain things, but most are not so sure that what is happening to them in their difficult moment is part of God’s sovereignly orchestrated plan for their lives. Romans 8:28 depends on the sovereign control of God over all things. If He is not sovereign of even one thing, how can we be sure of this great promise? Might it not be possible for one thing to not “work together for good”? This passage provides comfort for only one reason: God is in control of all that happens to us. He has a plan, He has a purpose, He is at work and will bring all things to work for good in our lives. Who but a sovereign God could ever accomplish us a complicated task?

1. God’s Promise

This passage comes to us as a promise from God of which every believer can be certain. Paul begins, “And we know.” Modern Christianity has a “watered-down faith” because it is dependent on experience rather than on truth. The great tendency today is to look at our experiences and wonder if God is really at work in them. Yet NT Christianity is not experience-based; it is truth-based.

In the experiences of life, we may be tempted to doubt God’s love for us in difficult situations, but we know. We may have serious questions about the outcome of our difficulty, but we know. Our faith is not dependent upon what we can see now; it is dependent on who God is and what He has promised. Paul had reminded the Romans just a few lines earlier that their hope was not based on what they could see–not on their present sufferings, but on God’s promise of future glory (see Romans 8:18-25). You will never experience victory over your circumstances as long as your eyes are on what you presently see. Such a vision can only cause discouragement and frustration. We must keep our eyes and our confidence on the promise of God. He keeps His promises (Numbers 23:19). He will work all things together for good. We have His promise on that.

2. God’s Project

Often the English rendering, “all things work together for good,” is misleading. Things do not work. Obviously the emphasis of this passage is that God is at work. Douglas Moo notes this distinction: “it is the sovereign guidance of God that is presumed as the undergirding and directing force behind all the events of life.” Even the order of the words in the Greek lean toward a translation emphasizing God’ active work in all things: “An we know that for those who love God all things he is working.”

This passage shows us the activity of God. He is not passive in the events of our life merely sitting back waiting to decide if He should intervene or not. Instead, God is at work orchestrating everything in our lives for His glory and for our good. We are His project! Or as Paul says in Ephesians 2:10: “We are His workmanship.” We can have confidence when facing difficulties because we know God is at work in every aspect and detail of our lives. Jesus reminded his disciples of the Father’s intimate care: “Not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge of it. . . . every hair on your head is numbered . . . . how much more does He care for you, O ye of little faith?” We are God’s project–He is at work in every detail of our lives!

3. God’s Plan

God’s plan is that “all things” that come into our lives work for good. This includes “good” things and “bad” things. Nothing that happens to a believer is outside of God’s plan. Donald Grey Barnhouse used to say, “Nothing can touch us unless it is first sifted through the will of God. In our lives, God allows both the good and the bad to happen as part of His overall plan for our lives. He is at work in everything that happens to us.

Far too often, we are ready to praise God for the good things that happen to us. But rarely do we recognize that even the bad things are just as much a part of God’s plan for accomplishing His will in and through us as are the good things. When Job’s wealth and family were all lost on one day, he “fell to the ground and worshipped.” When his wife told him to “curse God and die,” he responded, “Shall we indeed accept good from God and shall we not accept adversity?” He did not know what God was doing, he did not know how God could bring good out of it, but he knew that “all things” that happened to him were according to God’s plan for his life.

The problem is that we see the part, while God see the whole. We understand only the present, while God knows the future. We may feel the pain of the moment, but God knows the ultimate product He is producing in our lives. As believers, we can be confident that we are in His hands, and in His hands, nothing can touch us except it is ultimately according to the plan of God.

4. God’s Purpose

Finally, Romans 8:28 gives us confidence because God has a purpose in everything that happens in our lives. In verse 28, the apostle says all things work for good. In verse 29, he explains what God’s purpose is: that we might be conformed to the image of His son. To accomplish this, God uses many instruments: some to sharpen us, some to teach us patience; others to discipline and correct; but all to bring us to be more like His son.

Many images of this are found in the Bible. Jeremiah uses the idea of the potter working with his clay. To accomplish his task, the potter must spin, pound, poke, and take away much to produce a beautiful vessel. In Malachi 3:1, we find another image: the smelter sitting and watching over the ore as it is heated. This presents a beautiful picture of God’s watchfulness as He takes us through the process of purification. Just as the smelter sits and watches so that the ore might not be scorched by the fire, so God watches over everything that comes into our lives. In the smelting process, the heat causes the impurities to rise to the top so the smelter can skim them off of the surface. Only when he can see his own reflection clearly in the ore can the smelter be sure that the impurities have been removed from the ore. Likewise, when uses adversity in our lives to bring the impurities to the surface so He can remove them. That process will also continue until He sees His own image reflected in us.

Copyright Jim Ehrhard, 1999. You are permitted to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that: (1) you credit the author; (2) any modifications are clearly marked; (3) you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction; and (4) you do not make more than 100 copies without permission. If you would like to post this material to your web site or make any use other than as defined above, please contact

Posted in Jim Ehrhard |

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »