All things work together for good to those who love God.

Let us continue to unpack Rom.8:28. I want you to notice the qualification of this verse. It is for those “who love God” and “for those who are called according to His purpose.” The verse does not say that all things that happen are good for everybody. But only to those who are in the circle of this qualification. Now for the believer, God can take the “bad” according to our definition of the word “bad” and make good to come out of it. God has a way of weaving the things of life into a basket of eternity so that the final product can be called “good.” A classic example was Job. According to God’s permissive will He allowed Satan to let Job suffer. God took the bad, (the loss of personal health, material wealth, families), and ultimately brought good out of it. The sovereignty of God is highly exalted in this book of Job (named after him), rather than the mystery of suffering. It is wonderful to think that God’s will comes clothed in many garments. Any experiences and incidents in our lives, bear in mind that there is that permissive, intentional and ultimate will of God. He is your Father and knows what is best for His daughters and sons. The final outcome is always good.

How about those who do not love God and are not called according to His purpose, because they consistently reject His offer of grace? So far as I know, “all things would not work together for good for the unsaved in the ultimate end. In fact, their ultimate end according to the authority of the Word of God is this: hell and destruction. We are told in John 3:36, “He who believes in the Son (Jesus) has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (compare this Revelation 21: 8). Yes, God is a God of love, but the other side of the coin is, He is also a God of justice and holiness. He cannot tolerate sin forever. There will be a Day of Judgment, the Bible says.

At this point, perhaps if the reader is not yet born again by the Spirit of God, he or she needs to reflect and examine his /her relationship with God. Have you considered your eternal destiny? Life is too short, it is like a vapour or a beautiful flower for a day to enjoy, and then it dies and is thrown into the rubbish bin or fire to be burned. Do you have any evidence in your life that you truly love Him? The Bible says, ‘by their fruit you shall know them. ”I am not cornering you or forcing you, but with compassion and urgency—pleading to please consider the offer of salvation already paid for you on the cross by Jesus Christ. Accept Him as your Lord and Saviour. Salvation is a free gift that is why it is called grace. Do you like to go to hell or heaven? All by grace and by grace alone! (To be continued).