Our scripture this morning is Romans 8:28-29 (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.
It’s hard to read this passage sometimes when we see the state of our world. Do we believe that “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God” with everything that goes on here? Let’s not forget that while God is and always has been in control, He left us in charge here.
Christian author Mark Norton writes “Note that God is not working to make us happy, but to fulfill His purpose for us – to make us like Christ” and he refers to 1 John 3:2: “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.” We need to see beyond ourselves if we want to understand God’s plan for us.
Paul is telling us that God can use even the bad circumstances we cause ourselves to teach us and lead us to a closer relationship with Him and each other. As Paul puts it, God wants us to be like Jesus “so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” God wants all His children back, and He calls us to go to them in love.
Gracious God, we are amazed and grateful that You want us to be part of Your work. May we go in Your name to share the Good News everywhere. Amen.
