Purpose part 2
I really like the beginning of this verse, but I usually don't address the last part of it too often. Until tonight. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). I like to hit the "all things work together for good" part. Because I truly believe that they do. I'm good at finding the silver lining. I'm down with Genesis 50:20, "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant in unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." Even if people mean things for evil, God can use them for good. In fact, I think that's one of His favorite things to do. I think He loves bringing good out of bad. I think that's such a powerful way to show that light is stronger than darkness. Because when God arises His enemies are scattered. When you're in a dark room and you turn the light on, you're not in a dark room anymore. Its not even a fight. Its not even a conflict. Let me say it this way, "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:15). There's no darkness in light. How could there be? But like I said, I want to focus on the latter part. The "them who are called according to his purpose" part. So let's look at that. Who is called according to His purpose? That would be all of us. When Jesus was lifted up from the earth on the cross He drew all men unto Himself. And He planted Himself into all men. He called us all out of death and into life. And we know what the difference between life and death is, don't we? Love is the difference. Because to live is to love and to love is to live. No love? No life. Know love... know life. They aren't just connected. They are the same thing. We've been called, is my point. All of us. Even those that don't know it. Even those that won't admit it. Or accept it. God's love is universal. Whoops. I said that. God loves everybody. He always has and He always will. He IS love. What else could He do? In order to not love God would have to stop being God. And even if He could do that, He wouldn't. So let's hit this last word. The title of this Rant series. Purpose. What is God's purpose? The word "purpose" in Romans 8:28 is number 4286 in Strong's Greek Concordance. It means, "a setting forth, that is, (figuratively) proposal (intention); specifically the show bread (in the Temple) as exposed before God:- purpose, shew bread." The thing I like there is proposal. The bride of Christ, right? That's our purpose. To be one with Him. That's what marriage is, right? Two becoming one? Being drawn into God--into love--and having God (love) planting Himself in us. So let's track this. The God who is love... has a purpose... and that purpose is love. What else could it be? So here's the point: All things work together for good when love is your purpose. When you're standing on love, walking in love, living in love... you can't fail. Because love doesn't fail. That's God's purpose. For us, and in us, and through us, and as us!