SOMETIMES THE ACTUAL END RESULT OF A TRUTH TURNS OUT TO BE NOTHING LIKE WHAT WE HAVE PRESUMPTUOUSLY INTERPRETED IT TO BE.
Do you remember that 5-12 hour delay at the airport because of bad weather, but don’t remember your friends telling you they were praying for your safety?
Do you remember when you first called God, Father, but forgot that a father disciplines His own children?
Do you remember when something happened to your television so that you could not watch your favorite show, but forgot that you promised God, that if He would make a way, you would spend more time with Him?
Do you remember claiming the promise of God that you could do all things through Christ which strengthens you, but forgot the half that told you what those things were (suffer hunger, be abased, be persecuted, experience poverty)?
Do you remember claiming that the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared unto you, but forgot that it teaches you to, deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world?
Do you remember hearing the Word of God preached so that it stirred your soul and heart with a passion for the lost, but forgot that the stirring you felt was God calling You to that work?
Do you remember, but forget 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.
All things WORK TOGETHER.for what? For Good.
Jesus said ” why call me good? there in none good but God. So to say that all things work together for God, is in agreement with the end of the verse, “according to His purpose. This agrees with >>Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
What is God’s purpose or His pleasure?
We are told in verse 29. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
So very simply, we see that all things work together FOR the purpose of conforming those who “are in Christ Jesus” (vr.1) into His image.
Now go back to verse 28, these things work together for good TO them that love God and are the called according to His purpose,
Mark Cowan1 Thessalonians 5:14-24.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
Watchmen On The Pod 