Your history is no impediment to God’s grace.
“In all things God works for the good of those who love Him.”
Romans 8:28 NIV
My thoughts and comments today are about, “how God works.”
Do you ever wish life was always easy? But life is not always that simple. Bad things happen to good people just like good things happen to bad people. Goodness never guarantees that all will be well for you at all times. Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 NIV. Contrary to what you may assume, “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:45-46 NKJV. God loves people; all kinds of people; people of all descriptions; people who do the right things; people who do the wrong things. Never confuse God’s love with God’s approval.
We share a commonality of life experiences. That simple truth is evidenced when Paul wrote, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Read Romans 5:6-8 NKJV. Still sinners, but a Savior died for us. Reflect on that when you struggle with the grace of God to those you deem undeserving. The best among us was never deserving of His amazing grace. There is good news. Your history is no impediment to God’s grace.
Now let’s consider when bad things happen to good people. Don’t turn a moment into a monument. What things first appear is not what they will always remain. “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” Read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV. This might require a bit of faith from you. We usually assume that good things have good outcomes and bad things end with bad results. If we were to leave everything to chance, that would likely be true the majority of the time.
Including God in the equation of daily life changes all assumptions. If Christians were trusting God while serving in the wicked Emperor’s palace, you can trust God where you are. See Philippians 4:22 NIV. The Apostle Paul encouraged those and other Christians in Rome, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV. In all things, God works good. That is how God works. Emotions do not change the irrevocable truth of God’s Word.
There are only two requisites for Romans 8:28 to be true in your life. First, you must truly love God, regardless of present considerations, and secondly, you must know assuredly that God has a purpose for your life now and always. Circumstances should neither change your love for God nor can they change His purpose for you.
Today, I pray for you to be confident in God’s love whatever your circumstance.
Christian Communications 2016
