Essentials of the Faith - Pt 10

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).

As we expand our discussion of this last of the essentials of the faith we come to my favorite and most often quoted verses of Scripture. Our reading today is so important. If you haven’t memorized them yet, I urge you to do so, especially verse 28. It is the clearest declaration of the truth that God purposes all things. And, he purposes these things for our good! God is not a fortuneteller, a soothsayer, a mere predictor. He doesn’t have a crystal ball. He knows what’s coming because he plans what’s coming and he performs what he plans. Remember yesterday’s passage (Isaiah 46). In this reading the Lord declares, “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose” (v. 10). He does not form purposes and wonder if someone else will take responsibility to make them happen. He accomplishes His purpose in our lives. So, based on this text, here’s what I mean by the sovereignty of God: God has the rightful authority, the freedom, the wisdom, and the power to bring about everything that he intends to happen. And therefore, everything he intends to come about does come about; which means, God plans and governs all things. When he says, “I will accomplish all my purpose,” he means, “Nothing happens except what is my purpose.” If something happened that God did not purpose to happen, he would say, “That’s not what I purposed to happen.” And we would ask, “What did you purpose to happen?” And he would say, “I purposed this other thing to happen which didn’t happen.” To which we would all say, then, “But you said in Isaiah 46:10, ‘I will accomplish all my purpose.’” And he would say, “That’s right.” Therefore, what God means in Isaiah 46:10 is that nothing has ever happened, or will ever happen that God did not purpose to happen. Or to put it positively: Everything that happened or will happen is purposed by God to happen. I know that seems a bit too complicated. In the next few days I will expand this principle. Today, reflect a bit on the life of Jonah. God’s purpose was for him to go to Ninevah and preach. He had no choice about that. He was given the power (free will) to choose how to get there. As is true with all of us, he chose poorly. He did end up in Ninevah preaching; however, the trip could have been much easier. God wanted his good; however, he also wanted him to go to Ninevah. Sometimes we find ourselves at odds with God’s purpose. It is imperative that we recognize that His way is always the best way. And, regardless of what we choose along the way, he will bring good from it. I like the painless way better though. Don’t you?