ROMANS 8:28
"And
we know that all things work together for good to them
that love God, to them who are the called
according to his purpose."
May God the Holy Spirit, who
inspired these words, effectually inscribe them upon our hearts for the glory
of Christ, enabling us in all things to believe, worship and give thanks unto
our God. I call your attention to just four things.
1. A
Delightful Persuasion -
“We know…” The word “know” in
this sentence refers to a knowledge beyond speculation, theory, doctrine, or
even sound judgment. It is the knowledge of a confident, assured persuasion
based upon fact and experience. May God graciously and thoroughly convince us
of these things as he did the Apostle Paul. He says, “We” - All true believers
- “know”.
But how do we know? What is the basis of this knowledge? Is this a pipe dream;
or a matter of established fact? We know these things by the revelation of
God’s Word (Psa. 84:11; 91:1-16; Prov. 12:21; Hos. 2:18). We know these things,
and walk in the comfort of God’s providence, because of the inner witness and
anointing of the Holy Spirit, who teaches us all things, by whom we have the
mind of Christ (1 John 2:20; 1 Cor. 2:16). And we know the wisdom and goodness
of God’s adorable providence because we have experienced it. Rolfe
Barnard used to say, “We only believe what we experience.” He was
exactly right. Are you persuaded, really persuaded of what Paul teaches us
here? If you are, you have a persuasion that will keep your soul in peace.
Indeed, this is the only persuasion that will keep your soul in peace.
2. A
Divine Providence - “We
know that all things work together for good…” Providence is God’s
government of the universe. This is a subject of deepest importance. If we have
a proper view of God’s providence, we will see the hand of God and the heart of
God in everything, in all the experiences of our lives. Let us never talk like
the unbelieving Philistines who said, “it
was a chance that happened to us” (1 Sam. 6:9). Believers talk like Job
(1:21), Eli (1 Sam. 3:18) and David (2 Sam. 16:11-12), ascribing all things to
the hand of our God. God is not idle. He is the one Person who is always on the
job. He never needs to rest, recuperate, or regroup! God almighty, our God and
heavenly Father, is always at work, governing the world.
3. A
Designated People - “We
know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who
are the called…” This promise of God is not for and is not given to
everyone. It is a special promise, made to a special people. It is God’s
promise “To them that love God. To them
who are the called.”
4. A
Declared Purpose - “We
know that all things work together for
good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” The purpose of God, according to
which he rules the universe is not hard to discover. It is plainly stated in
verses 29-31. It is “his purpose” of
grace toward his people in eternal election and predestination.
Radio Sermon #574
Grace Baptist Church of Danville
2734 Old Stanford Road -
Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438
Donald S. Fortner, Pastor -Telephone 606-236-8235 - Email grace@mis.net