THE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE - PART 1

THURSDAY 16 DECEMBER 2021

Today we are going to look at a particular Scripture many Christians find very interesting and special, as well as treasure dearly. In Christ Jesus, we are carefully attended to by divine will. And today's referenced Scripture is one of the divine decrees that position us to live a successful Christian life with purpose. If we are not living a life of purpose in Christ with the mindset of today's Scripture, we have no reason to believe that we have been saved by grace. When I studied and fully understood this Scripture, I personally acknowledged that it is befitting to fancy the Christian life and divine experiences as a great gain all the way.

Reference: Romans 8:28 New King James Version (NKJV) "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

If Paul was this specific, it means that "not" all Christians love God heartily, even though all born again Christians are the called according to God's purpose. So Paul was careful to identify the very Christians he meant. Now for this truth to work for you, firstly, you must have a true and sincere love for God and secondly, this is the case: you are the called according to His purpose. In other words, both standards must be in place.

When it comes to Christians, the phrase, "those who love God" is considered a more personal conviction than a general concept of being born again. This is because it makes more sense to answer the question on an individual level. To love here is to have great interest in God and treasure Him more than anything else. And its both heartily and practical. In Psalm 42:1, the sons of Korah wrote, "Just as a deer longs for running streams, God, I long for you" (CJB). "When a man's soul thirsts for God more than anything else in this world, it means they love to please God and can go any length to encounter His depth. Loving God can be measured in strength of levels and degrees, just as Christ's love for the saints has a width, length, height and depth comparison.

In His prayer for the saints in Ephesus, Paul wrote, "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." In other words, as you grow in your love for God and develop roots in such love, you'll get to a level of understanding the dimensions of Christ's own love for you. That means our growth experience in our love for God has a correlative implication. As we attain heights in our love for God, we embrace more of Christ's love in return. It's a mutual effect on both sides.

Since the Bible says that all things work together for the good of those who love God, it means that if you are in such category, as described above, then you are bound to experience the goodness of God, come what may. It also means that you have no problem in this world. What people actually call problem is an event working for your good, if you are involved in it. The term, "all things work together" means all about you is in agreement or in connection with another, be it people, troubles, nature, events, circumstances and even unpleasant experiences such as disappointments, crisis and oppositions. All things join their forces together or cooperate to favour you at any point in your life. So before the foundation of the world, just as it was ordained that you must be saved by grace, in the same perspective, it was ordained that all things must work jointly to favour you in Christ Jesus.

Beloved as a Christian who loves God, the prospect or outcome of every situation you face in life is reliable on this Scripture. It's an inevitable part of your Christian experience. In another light, Romans 8:28 is an inseparable characteristic of your new life in Christ. Every challenge or event is designed to yield the best for you and it can only be high quality outcomes because your salvation is by grace alone. Stay tuned for part 2. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Jeremiah 29:11; Philippians 1:6; Ephesians 1:11; Colossians 3:23; James 1:12.

Guided Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for Apostle Paul's assertion concerning the beauty of the Christian faith and profession. With a quick and clear intelligence, I observe how unequal things work together for my good at all times. In every matter, situation and detail pertaining my life, your goodness and mercy always find sufficient ground to direct their whole force to my advantage. Therefore I'm a champion, a success, a victor and a peculiar Christian forever in Jesus' Name, Amen!