The Great Eight - Pt 28

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30 ESV).

We are continuing in our examination of “the Great Eight”; and, today we come to one of the most familiar and often quoted verses of the entire letter. Paul says, And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (v. 22). This is one of the greatest assurances of God’s love in all of Scripture; however, we must understand there are two qualifications attached to it. It is not true for everyone. It is only true for people described in this verse: to those who love God; and, to those who are called according to His purpose. So, we need to unpack this carefully. First, who are those who love God? No one loves God perfectly in this life. And, thankfully that is not the question. We all know there can be a real love between two people without that love being perfect. In fact the greater and more authentic the love, the more keenly it feels its own imperfections. The question is not about perfection. The real question is: Is God your treasure? Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (cf. Luke 12:34). Jesus was trying to show us that we ought to strive to have our treasure in heaven, not earth. He was calling us to treasure God above all things. So “Do you love God?” means “Is he your treasure?” Is God the most valuable reality in your life? Second, have you been called by God according to his purpose? This does not mean, “Have you ever heard the gospel?” or “Have you ever heard an invitation calling you to repent and believe?” The subsequent verses are going to make this very clear. When the apostle says, “[Those] whom [God] predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” he identifies the recipients of this promise as all the children of God. All those who are called are justified. So this calling from God is not a mere invitation, but a powerful and effective summons that woke you up from the slumber of ignorance and rebellion, so that you saw Jesus and gladly submitted to him. That gave you life; that made you His child. That brought you into access of this grand promise. This is not an “if/then” promise. It is a declaration of what God has already done and will continue to do because of Jesus’ work on the cross. This is the depth of God’s grace! Wow!