Church Directory April 20, 2017
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. -Romans 8:28
This verse has “experience” written all over it. It speaks to past experience - to those who at some point in their history were called by God into relationship with Him. It speaks to present experience; “in all things”. What things? Whatever and wherever I find myself at this moment - the good, bad, the pleasant or the painful.
Wonderfully, this verse also blesses us with a hopeful look to the future, namely that God has a goal that He is directing our past and present toward. The million dollar question (at least in my mind) is, “What is that goal?” Paul tells us little in verse 28, other than to describe it as “good”. This has led many to interpret this verse and thus define their future in terms of what is “good” for them. In other words when God works “for the good of those who love Him”, He is really looking out for my best interests, what gives me pleasure or advances my cause.
However, as we look more closely we see this verse is not a guarantee of earthly success, prosperity, or a shield from pain and loss. In fact I would argue there is something much higher in view here than my success and self-fulfillment. Paul does tell us what that “good goal” is in the very next verse in Romans:
“For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son”
To be like Jesus; that’s our future hope and the present process we find ourselves in, and God, the great Potter and shaper of our lives, will use whatever “tools” necessary to bring that about. Victory or defeat, plenty or want, God can use it all to put the signature of Jesus upon our lives. It’s a plan He’s had in mind for you since the beginning of time.
My friends, God does have a wonderful plan for your life, plans full of hope and a future, just like it says in Jeremiah 29. But this plan has little to do with us winning the lottery, landing our dream job or marrying the man or woman of our dreams and living happily ever after. It goes so much deeper than that. In God’s economy, His design for us is that we see the character of Jesus Christ fully formed and evidenced in our living.
To see the Character of Jesus formed in us is a future experience, one that will be fully expressed in eternity, but as we humbly submit ourselves to the Master, we will begin to see the evidence of His signature on our lives - a future hope and a present reality all in one. May God grant you grace and patience as He works the character of His Son into you.
