January 6

Day 298: So Troublesome

Of the several things I read this morning, somehow they each ended up referencing Romans 8:28 in some fashion. This kind of thing unexpectedly happens to me from time to time.

It goes like this: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

At one time (maybe, like yesterday) there were self-proclaimed believers who thought it didn't matter whether they purposefully sinned or not. Because "God would work it all out for their good anyway." But that is a bad application, unfortunately. (PS, this was the primary criticism of the early Calvinists.)

What the apostle Paul did write here in Romans 8:28 is that this promise is directed toward "those who love God." Meaning, those who want to please (not displease) the One they love.

I assume this DQ's the ones who would want to rebel and purposefully violate God's Word, while expecting God's grace to be liberally and consistently applied to them in return. They may want the love, but not want to respond in kind.

Second, Paul writes that "all things work together..." This is not to say, everything, in singular isolation, works; but all of it together.

This must include our bad choices that result in bad results. Or painful circumstances that result in our character being refined. I can admit - not everything I've decided or done in the past has resulted in good.

But not to be missed, Paul also said, "for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." While reading this verse, I'll assume we're all good with the "good."

But Paul has, in fact, narrowed the scope of who gets the "good." He is not talking about everybody. When the word "called" is included, this is where the trouble starts. Let alone when the word "chosen" is inferred, (like it is here.)

No one wants to be not chosen to be someone's prom date. No one on a grade school playground wants to be the last one called.

None of us like thinking we've been rejected, or are in any way worthy of rejection. Try telling anyone that God has not "called" them, and see what follows.

And yet, so many people (including many people in our North American churches) are coming to realize that Covid 19 has given them an exit clause. No more show up. No more participation or investment. No more serving or sacrifice. No more Jesus and His Bible getting in the way.

As it is, these are the ones who want to feel confident that Jesus is holding a place for them in some heaven somewhere. While at the same time they don't themselves have any space for Jesus anywhere nearby. At least right now - during Covid - or otherwise.

Returning again to Romans 8:28, it may be that not everything works out together for good for everybody. I do recall it also saying that the promise of good is reserved for those who love God; those who've been "called according to His purpose."

Those who love God are those who evidence having been purposefully called by God. And others, who really never did love God are perhaps more emboldened right now to evidence not having been called.

Surmise to say, not everyone is in line for good, I guess.

Why did Romans 8:28 have to be so troublesome?

-Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church Juneau