All Things Work Together for Good

             Life stinks!  Okay, not all of it, but we come across things each and every day in our lives that are just not fair.  Whether it deals with the death of a loved one, money, relationships, health, material items, or status, it doesn't seem fair that others prosper or benefit when we don't.  Especially if the way they prosper is by dishonest gain or by dishonest measures.  It just makes you frustrated, even mad.  It makes you want to scream out, "God, why don't you do something?" 

Is it sinful to have this kind of attitude?  Not necessarily, but it can be if we allow it to brew and fester in our lives.  So, what should we do?  How can we overcome this attitude?  By holding fast to the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:28, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

This verse tells us several things:  First it says "And we know...", there is certainty in the words of Paul here.  This is an ironclad promise of God.  There is no wavering, no faltering.  This promise is certain.

Second it says, "...God causes all things to work together for good..."  God is working out everything for your good.  Not some things, not a few things, all things.  Even the difficult, sorrowful, and confusing things of life.  God is working out everything for your good.  The biggest problem that we have with this is that we don't see it all the time.  But when we realize that God only has our best in mind and when we do go through the tough times, we can endure because we know that the things we are experiencing are to bring out a greater good in our lives.

Finally, there is a condition to this promise.  It says, "...to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."  The condition is that you must love God.  If you love God and have received Him into your life, then God is working out everything for your good.  The opposite of this is true as well.  If you don't love God, everything is working out bad for you.  Because one day you will stand before Jesus.  Those who love Him and have trusted Him for their salvation will enter into an eternity that He has created for them.  Those who do not love God and have rejected His Son will enter into eternity of terror that was created for the Devil and his angels.

So, today, what is God working out in your life?

Pastor Paul