THE CHRISTIAN'S ASSURANCE
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. INTRODUCTION
How many of God's children have, through the centuries, drawn strength and comfort from
this blessed verse? In the midst of trials, perplexities, and persecutions, this has been a rock
beneath their feet.
II. "All things work together."
A. Only God can make things work together. With all the evil and all the creatures and all
the possible events that can occur, God can make things work together.
B. All things not only operate, they co-operate; they all act in perfect concert, though none
but the anointed ear can catch the strains of their harmony.
III. "All things work together for good."
A. These words teach believers that no matter what may be the number nor how overwhelming the character of adverse circumstances, they are all contributing to conduct them into the possession of the inheritance provided for them in heaven.
II Cor. 4:15-18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
B. This must be so for three reasons.
1. All things are under the absolute control of the Governor of the universe.
2. God desires our good, and nothing but or good.
3. Satan himself cannot touch a hair of our heads without God's permission, and
then only to further our good.
C. Not all things are good in themselves, nor in their tendencies; but God makes all things
work for our good.
Phil 1:19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not
say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
D. Nothing enters our life by blind chance: nor are there any accidents. Everything is
being moved by God, with this end in view, our good.
Gen 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
IV. "To them that love God."
A. This is the grand distinguishing feature of every true Christian. The reverse marks all
the unregenerate. But the saints are those who love God.
B. They love Him for the gift of the Savior: they love Him for His personal excellencies--
His holiness, wisdom, faithfulness. They love Him for His conduct: for what He withholds and for what He grants; for what He rebukes and for what He approves. They love Him even for the rod that disciplines, knowing that He doeth all things well.
V. " Who are called."
A. The word "called' is never, in the NT epistles, applied to those who are the recipients of
a mere external visitation of the Gospel. The term always signifies an inward and
effectual call.
Gal 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
I Thes 2:12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
B. How do I know I am called?
You know because you love God. Instead of hating Him, they now esteem Him;
instead of fleeing from Him in terror, they now seek Him; instead of caring not
whether their conduct honored or dishonored Him, their deepest desire now is
to please and glorify Him.
VI. "According to His purpose."
A. It is not anything in ourselves, but due alone to His grace.
II Timothy 1:9
"Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works,
but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus
before the world began;
Romans 1:5-6 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
Eph 3:10 -11 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
B. All of His purpose shall be performed.
Jer 51:29 And the land shall tremble and sorrow: for every purpose of the LORD shall be performed against Babylon, to make the land of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitant.
C. His purposes have a goal
I Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
