Romans 8:28 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. I. THE FACT, "We know," etc. Note — 1. The good determined: being "conformed to the image of God's Son." Each believing man is as a block of marble, hewn out of the great quarry of unregenerated humanity, and appointed to be dressed and formed according to the Divine ideal. The image of the living Christ, as portrayed in the holy Gospels, supplies the model. And the work to be accomplished is that of breaking off unshapely angles, polishing down all rough projections, chiselling out the life-like features, and cleansing away all obscuring dust, till the human subject, "changed into the same image, from glory to glory," stands out at last, a living likeness of the living Lord. No doubt the final result will be blessedness, lordship, and glory. But the work which has now to be effected is that of securing in us a likeness to the Lord. In the external manifestations of our life we must be brought to be like Jesus, who went about doing good; and therefore are we said to be the "workmanship" of God (Ephesians 2:10). But the work of new creation penetrates below the surface, and enters into the very spirit and life of the man (Ephesians 4:22-24). 2. The workers employed by the Divine Artist. "All things," i.e., all the influences of present lot; all the influences of — (1) The objective creation. (2) The perpetually changing events of Providence, both prosperous and adverse, whether as specially affecting only the individual, or also the family, the Church, the nation, or the world. (3) Which proceed from good and from wicked men. (4) The invisible world, which come streaming down from glorified saints, angelic hosts, and from the ever-blessed God. (5) The world beneath. There is nothing neutral in the mighty process; and nothing but whose influence, blended with all others, is made to contribute something towards the accomplishment of the predestinated result. 3. On whose behalf the "good" is being wrought. Those only who "love God, who are the called according to His purpose"; namely, to justify, sanctify, and glorify all them who believe in Christ. For the called ones are those who have adopted the Christian vocation as their own, and have therefore become not only called, but also chosen and faithful. For them the call has become effectual. They have fallen into the line of the Divine purpose, and are therefore being helped along that line by all these harmonised converging forces. The action of the external forces themselves would never produce the desired result. Their influence upon others does but serve to make moral scars and deformity. Just as the deadly nightshade concocts its poison from the very same soil and atmosphere from which the wheat-plant provides us bread, and other plants our honey. 4. The ultimately resulting good is the consequent, not of any single influence, but of all the influences together. This does not, indeed, denote that they work either simultaneously or in perfect and understood agreement amongst themselves. They are oftentimes all unconscious of the service which they render. First one and then another comes near and does the work for which he is specially adapted. Or perchance a whole host of the workers are busily engaged at once, so as to become simultaneous helpers. So, too, it is in other departments of God's works. How many and complicated the forces and influences which must contribute to the growth and perfection of the plant or animal! And how innumerable and varied those by which the infant is developed to manhood! And yet every one produces some lasting impression, and supplies its contribution, with all the others, towards the final product. And thus it is in the formation of Christian character. II. THE GROUND OF THE FACT, AND OF OUR KNOWLEDGE OF IT. "For (i.e., because that) whom He did foreknow," etc.. Observe — 1. That God Himself predestinated this result; namely, that those who were foreknown as believing the gospel, and as becoming obedient to its call, should he conformed to the image of His Son. 2. That He who predetermined this result has also provided the means for its accomplishment. 3. That which He can He will do to bring the pre-ordained result to its consummation. It is not only that the "purpose" is "His own," formed "according to His own good pleasure," and "given us in Christ Jesus before the world began" (Ephesians 1:9, 10; Ephesians 3:8-12; 2 Timothy 1:9); and therefore a thing never to be abandoned; but one, in respect to the working out of which He has given the strongest assurance. For its accomplishment "He spared not His own Son," etc. Nay; in and with Christ, those "all things" have been already given (1 Corinthians 3:21-23). And, therefore, the apostle, projecting himself forward to the time when the great work of redeeming love shall have been completed, and giving that which is its history in every individual case, affirms that "whom He did predestinate, them He also... glorified."Conclusion: Learn a lesson of — 1. Earnest diligence in the cultivation of the inner spiritual life. This is the true philosopher's stone, by whose alchemic power everything may be transmuted into gold. Power over our own outward worldly condition we have but very little (Jeremiah 10:23). Evil may come, and, if our hearts are not right with God, all things will but serve to intensify our selfishness, impatience, etc., making us to become more than ever vessels of wrath fitted for destruction. But, if we love God, we shall find a helping hand in everything. 2. Patient submission to God's arrangements. Let us remember ever that His providence has to do with all things. Did He choose to do so, He could make our course of life, in all respects, prosperous and pleasant. But if trials, perplexities, and sufferings come, it must be because that these things are needed and good (James 1:2-4). 3. Joyful and triumphant confidence in God. This is that which is specially indicated by the apostle (vers. 31-39). (W. Tyson.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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