Called, Justified, Predestined
Romans 8:28-40
28. We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. 29. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. 30. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. 31. What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? 32. He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? 33. Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies; 34. who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? 35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36. As it is written, "For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." 37. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39. nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This is somewhat on the same theme of yesterday’s devotion. But this scripture goes a little deeper, I think. And it’s a little more “personal.” We know that God loves us. So it would follow that only good things would be planned for us. And even though I may be going through a difficult time or a struggle of some kind, what I learn as I go through the experience will make me stronger, surer, better, when I “get to the other side.” I truly believe that. I would not want to relive some of the difficult times I’ve had, but I would do it in a minute if God revealed to me that that is the only way I could have become the person I am today!
God’s love and approval is the only love and approval we need. Family is a blessing (usually!). Friends are wonderful. Children, spouses, neighbors, co-workers. . . . all of them are important and significant in our lives. But if we were stranded on an island, hundreds of miles away from the nearest human being with no chance of being rescued, we would only have God!
And God truly is all we “need.” Everything else is extra! Everything else is icing on the cake! Everything else is free—just like God’s grace! Wow! I don’t need to be afraid that I might lose everything I have. I don’t need to worry that everyone I know might be gone tomorrow. I don’t need to wonder how I’ll survive and who will love me and care for me. I already know that! No, I don’t want any of those things to happen! I don’t like the Iraq situation, I didn’t want 9/11 to happen, I don’t like thinking about women and children being butchered are starving to death and dying of AIDS. I don’t like a lot of what is sad and wrong and awful in this world.
And I have a responsibility to do anything and everything within my power to make the world a better place. But I also know that that is all I can do. The rest is up to God. More prayer and fewer meetings with international power brokers would be a refreshing change in policy! More time spent prostrate in our rooms and less time plotting and scheming on how to get a head in the world would be something wonderful to experience! What a world we have if we spent more time praying and less time worrying, fighting, wheeling and dealing, killing and hating!
Jesus died so that we could live once and for all in purity, peace and grace. But he was not wimp. He came wielding the sword of righteousness. He turned the world on its ear. He devoured common sense and threw it back in the faces of the doubters and the haters! He just defies all common sense! Like praying does. Jesus prayed—a lot. And we need to model that behavior just like we love, serve, etc., for others. Just pray! Try it and see if you don’t notice a difference in your little part of the world—and in yourself.
I hope you spend time today on bended knee, thanking God for his son, who defeated sin for us and who is so wonderful that words cannot describe him.
Mary
