And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.
Romans 8:28 AMP
The Context and Focus:
As always, the audience always defines the attitude and the entitlements. Who you are will always impact what you get. You may not be able to rise above the limits of your identity, and this is why it matters who you are and who you are associated with. The very first verse in the chapter from which today's verse is taken makes it clear who the audience is: 'there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are IN Christ Jesus. That is as clear as an identity could ever be. It is not about those who know about Him, or who just read a lot about him, or who can even quote all his words back at Him. As nice as all these are, they cannot replace a total surrender to the Lordship and authority of Jesus. It is those who are IN Christ who have no reason to fear or to fret. That position ensures that nothing touches me without first touching God. Nothing happens to me outside of God's purpose for my life. If He allows it, it is because He has carefully calibrated it to ensure it brings out His glory in me, and my life is blessed for the experience.
The Message:
This is the foundation of today's verse. The same audience in the first verse of the chapter is the same audience in verse 28 above. God does not change or lower his standards for anyone; all who will come to Him must come on His terns, not theirs. Those who come to God on His terms know Him for who He is, and what he demands from them. They have no issue with total surrender, because they know the power and capacity of God to handle any situation. That is confidence: in God and God alone. I note that no one or anything else is mentioned in the verse. If God is in charge, who else can speak over my life? If God has already spoken, would it matter what anyone else has to say? This is the basis of the confidence of Paul here, knowing that with God, ALL things had to work for good, as long as his heart was fully committed to God. This is a good place to warn again about hypocrisy or eye-service, which will lead to danger and destruction. How can I ever think that the God who made the heart can be deceived by the schemes and machinations of the heart?
The Conclusion:
He is God, and that is power on its own. It is also important to note that with God, He works from the end to where I am now. His purpose for my life was determined long before my parents even came together in marriage. If God permitted me to be born, the circumstances around my birth do not matter as much as what God can accomplish with a life that is totally surrendered to Him. He calls all men to Him, but he gives all men the power to choose to love and follow Him. He will not force Himself on me, or go against the exercise of my freewill, but I have to know that there are eternal consequences to earthy decisions. He calls all men, but I have to heed the call, and walk with God, as he takes me on a journey of faith. That walk will be hard in some seasons, and it will have some pleasant moments too, but in all, my walk will be under his guidance and leadership. This is the only way a good end is guaranteed. God's plan is always the best, because He is the Creator, and he will always want the best for me. God's time of favour is here.
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