– Romans 8:28
It's All About His Purpose
This scripture gets thrown around quite a bit but I think it's only the first part of the scripture that people tend to pay attention to. It is comforting to know that God works ALL things for our good, because when we hear this scripture from someone, or it comes to our mind, it's usually because something not so good is happening. It helps ease the circumstance a bit so that we can feel good that there is a light at the end of whatever darkness we are facing.
But there are two qualifiers at the end of the scripture:
1.) those who love Him.
2.) those who have been called according to His purpose.
Both of those are a result of the Holy Spirit actively living in us, and the 2nd can only be realized as a result of accepting the purpose for which He has called us to. It is a choice we make to put off the sinful nature and the desires of our flesh and accept the life our Father has designed for us and called us to – a life of grace, and of love, and of peace. It's a choice to get off the fence and stop living a double-minded life. We have to choose to Love God, and to believe and have faith in His Word, and stop giving in to what we are feeling for the moment.
When we are being stressed out; when we are hurting; when we are lonely; when we are victimized; when we are sick; when someone has wronged us, etc. God will only work any and all of those things for good IF you love Him, are devoted to Him and living your life according to His purpose for you (no matter what you think your life should be), AND if you are walking in the love of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Don't take for granted the purpose God has called you to. If you allow Him to, He will take the trials in your life and use them to further His kingdom. That doesn't mean it will make things easier for you physically, but spiritually you will grow in love, and peace, and forgiveness, and those whose lives you touch will be blessed, and God will be magnified because of it.
But there are two qualifiers at the end of the scripture:
1.) those who love Him.
2.) those who have been called according to His purpose.
Both of those are a result of the Holy Spirit actively living in us, and the 2nd can only be realized as a result of accepting the purpose for which He has called us to. It is a choice we make to put off the sinful nature and the desires of our flesh and accept the life our Father has designed for us and called us to – a life of grace, and of love, and of peace. It's a choice to get off the fence and stop living a double-minded life. We have to choose to Love God, and to believe and have faith in His Word, and stop giving in to what we are feeling for the moment.
When we are being stressed out; when we are hurting; when we are lonely; when we are victimized; when we are sick; when someone has wronged us, etc. God will only work any and all of those things for good IF you love Him, are devoted to Him and living your life according to His purpose for you (no matter what you think your life should be), AND if you are walking in the love of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Don't take for granted the purpose God has called you to. If you allow Him to, He will take the trials in your life and use them to further His kingdom. That doesn't mean it will make things easier for you physically, but spiritually you will grow in love, and peace, and forgiveness, and those whose lives you touch will be blessed, and God will be magnified because of it.
Prayer
Father, thank You for reminding me that it's all about Your purpose. I have so many ideas and so many wants according to my own purpose that I forget that it's really all about You! I am here because You called me forth. Please forgive me for my arrogance. Allow me to walk in the grace and the love and the peace that Your purpose brings. Help me to reach someone today that You would be magnified through the purpose of my life.
Have a blessed day everyone!
– Richard
Have a blessed day everyone!
– Richard
Dude, this appears to be my verse for this time. Read it yesterday in my devotions. Read it last night for Tara's teaching for youth tonight and here it is again...
ReplyDeleteok Lord, I hear ya :)
Thanks for the posting! You and your beautiful wife are real encouragers! Totally called of God! LOVE YOU BOTH!