Some of the most misunderstood words in the Bible are these: "God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son." (Romans 8:28-29, NLT). Misunderstood because many of us read these words as, "God causes everything to work out the way we want it to." That is not what Paul says here. There are many unhappy endings. Only in heaven is everything done God's way!
Let's look at the verse phrase by phrase:
1. "To work together" Just as it takes many ingredients, including some not-so-nice tasting ones, to make a cake, it takes different experiences to make us like Christ
2. "For the good" Much that happens in our lives seems bad at the time, but as we trust God, He brings good out of it
3. "Of those who love God" All things don't work for good for us unless we love God and walk in obedience to Him
4. "And are called according to His purpose" What is God's ultimate purpose for us? To "become like His Son."
We are jewels being shaped by God with the hammer of experience. If a jeweler's hammer isn't strong enough to chip off our rough edges, God will use a sledgehammer. And if that doesn't work He will use a pneumatic drill. He uses everything to shape us!
No wonder James wrote:
"Under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors" (James 1:3).
(c)2006 Timothy L. Hudson, UGA Christian Campus Fellowship
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