We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28.
We Know
We know there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1. We live today and forever redeemed through Christ, living in Christ, shielded in the promise of God.
Denny says this about knowing, “It is glorying in the assurance of God’s eternal and unchangeable love in Christ.”
Knowing glories in God, Who He is, and reveals Himself to be through His Word, our Bible. Also, through our experience, as He works in our lives.
What If We Cherished God Most?
How different would our thoughts be, our days be our life would be if we cherished God? If we were satisfied with Him above His blessings and gifts. Often we are sidetracked because life is not always rainbows and roses. Romans 8:28 tells us all things work together for good. Because all things mean all things, it includes the good, the bad, and the ugly.
J Vernon McGee comments that all things include “All things”—good and bad; bright and dark; sweet and bitter; easy and hard; happy and sad; prosperity and poverty; health and sickness; calm and storm; comfort and suffering; life and death.”
When things in our lives are good, bright, easy, happy, and calm, we are satisfied. But with what are we satisfied?
When things in our lives are bad, dark, bitter, hard, sad, and stormy, we can be or are often dissatisfied. With what are we dissatisfied?
Our first response, or should I say, my first response is often on the promise of God. There is security in that promise, only because it comes from God. But if you and I focus only on the promise or the pledge, we have missed the intended blessing. It is God Himself that is central, not the promise.
God First Above Blessings and Gifts
If God’s promise takes center stage in the heart when the bad, dark, bitter, sad, and storms come, and they will, we are left tossed, confused, and doubting. Why? God is not central to the heart. Comfort is desired, not God. Our affections are misplaced.
How do we know our affections are misplaced? Check yourself and ask these questions.
Next time something good happens in your life, what is your first thought or response?
The next time something terrible happens in your life, what is your first thought or response?
How often are you praising and thanking God?
How often does God even enter your mind on any given day?
“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37
This post goes along with our on-line Bible Study in the book of Romans.The lessons for this study are being formatted and edited to be put into our Conforming to the Truth shop. Be sure to join my blog community to be the fist to know when Romans hits this shop. You will also receive for weekly and monthly newsletters, freebies, and exclusive discounts. And join me on instagram as we build a community of women cultivating the mind of Christ through in-depth Bible Study. Click the photo below to learn about our in-depth study in James!
