GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH

RADIO MESSAGE

DO ALL THINGS REALLY WORK
TOGETHER FOR GOOD?

 

How often have you heard this statement, "All things work together for good"? Someone is sick, some tragedy has happened, someone has died, and someone says, "Well, we know that all things work together for good". Do all things really work together for good? Did you know that the Bible does not make that statement, and does not teach that doctrine?

This is what the Bible says and teaches "We know that all things work together for good TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD, TO THEM WHO ARE THE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE" (Rom. 8:28). It may or may not be true that all things work together for your good. But this we know, all things work together for good to all of God's true children, those who love him and are called by his grace. The promise tan be rightfully claimed only by those to whom the promise is given. Let's take just a moment to examine each word of this precious text. Romans 8:28 is a treasure chest for the people of God. Each word is like a precious gem. Each phrase is like a diamond studded necklace.

"WE" - We who are the people of God, chosen by grace, redeemed by blood, and taught by the Holy Spirit. We who believe on Christ and walk by faith. "WE KNOW" - Our knowledge is the assured confidence of faith. The Word of God, our own experience in Divine providence, and the inner witness of the Holy Spirit have given us this confidence. "WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS" - That includes every experience and every event in life, all things in the world, and all things of all time. "ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD". No evil thing shall happen to God's elect. All that comes to pass is for the spiritual and eternal good of God's covenant people. God sovereignly manipulates everything by the hand of his providence for the good of his people. Even those things that bring pain, heartache, and trouble are ruled by our heavenly Father for our good. Our trials teach us the vanity of this life. Our trials prove our faith. Our trials give us patience. Our trials make Christ precious to us. Our trials have a way of detaching us from this world. Our trials teach us to pray.

Trials make the promise sweet,
Trials give new life to prayer:
Trials bring me to His feet,
Lay me low and keep me there.

God in providence sees to it that nothing happens except that which is best for his children. Can you rest in the love and wisdom, power and goodness of your heavenly. Father?

Who can claim this precious promise? Paul tells us, "We know that all things work together for good TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD, TO THEM WHO ARE THE CALLED". If you love God as he is revealed in Christ, this word of grace is for you. If you are one of those whom he has talled to life in Christ, this precious promise is for you. You may not be able to see it now. But you can by faith rest in the promise of God. Whatever he does, or allows to be done, will be what is best for you.

How can we be sure that all things work together for our spiritual and eternal good? Paul tells us again, that all things are done "ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE". Nothing in God's universe is left to chance. Everything is under his control. Everything that ever comes to pass, comes to pass "according to his purpose". And our heavenly Father has purposed to do us good and not evil. Child of God, take this sweet, rich, full promise with you through the day - "WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD, TO THEM WHO ARE THE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE". Surely this is a promise to encourage our faith and comfort our hearts. "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"

 

Don Fortner, Pastor
Grace Baptist Church
Danville, Ky.