Daily Bible Verses for 9/10/2016

God Works for Our Good – (Romans 8:28-31)

Bible Verse
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Reading Notes
We have to remember that God is not the author of sin or evil. And we know that we can suffer harm from a life spent in a fallen world. Either because of our own sin, the sin of others, or because of the fallen world we live in, or because of the spiritual warfare, which is waged all around us. However, despite this, God is in control, He has eternity in mind and God can work all things out for our good according to His purposes. We must never forget what Jesus told us, that we would have tribulation in this life, but to be of good cheer because He is with us. God does not cause bad things to happen in our lives; however, God can allow the consequences of sin or trials to touch our lives, in order to work out His purposes in us and build within us perseverance, through the steadfastness of our faith. This includes allowing suffering and letting us be tempted by our own fleshly desires. God will allow this to happen in order to accomplish His will in our lives, to both our earthly and eternal benefit. In other words, the trials we face, though not caused by God are allowed by God, in order to bring us to our ultimate perfection which is eternity in His presence.

Like irons tried in a fire to make them ready for a good work, we too may undergo trials in preparation for God’s work in us and through us. Because it’s only through trials that we learn the genuineness and character of our faith. In addition, trials, more than anything else, help us to grow in Christ, because they require that we have faith and trust in God. In addition, oftentimes trials can be the best tool to prepare us for a task or ministry ahead. The portion of this passage where Paul is speaking of God’s calling, foreknowledge and predestination, speak of God’s predetermined choice to pour out His love and mercy upon us. The Bible tells us, that God chose us in Christ Jesus, in order to establish a relationship with us. A relationship we can only have through our faith in Jesus Christ our Lord. Dear child of God, do we really comprehend God’s love for us, knowing that He chose us personally before the foundations of the world were laid in place. And that He did so in order that we may spend eternity in His presence. Moreover, through the events in our life and the work of the Holy Spirit, God prepares us for His service now and our ultimate glorification when we meet Jesus face to face.