Brent Kuhlman

+ Jesu Juva +

Romans 8:28-39

What audacious statements from the apostle!  Who would dare to say such things?  Incredible.  Boggles the mind.  Can it be?  Can it truly be? 

And Paul says, “Yes!  Yes, indeed!  It’s all true.”

It sure is.  The enormity of it all really is mind blowing.

The first outrageously Gospel promise is:  “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” 

Did you hear that?  God wastes nothing with you His chosen people.  He uses everything in your life for your good!  Even when you don’t think so. 

What’s going on in your life?  Having troubles?  Health problems?  Money difficulties?  Marriage on the rocks?  Children giving you fits?  Job struggles?  Lonely?  Doubts?  Uncertainty?  What ever it is God is using it for your good?

What good?  That you will trust in Him no matter what.  That you will rely on Him in every circumstance.  Such trust, no matter what you’re experiencing, is being “conformed into the image of His Son [Jesus Christ].”  In Gethsemane Jesus prayed, “Not my will Father, but yours be done.”  Hanging on the cross Jesus prayed again:  “Father, forgive them.  They don’t know what they’re doing.”  And then again:  “Into your hands [Father] I commend my spirit.”   That’s trust.  In the midst of His immense suffering and dying for you. 

And God worked Christ’s horrible suffering and death on the cross for your good.  Your eternal good.  All sin is forgiven. 

And in Christ you are predestined, called, justified, and glorified.  What’s His is yours.  Where He is that’s where you are.  For Jesus is the First Born of the Father.  But His first born inheritance He shares.  With you! 

So despite what you see and experience God is not against you.  He is for you.  In Jesus His Son.  Delivered Him into death on the cross for you and your salvation.  Your greatest need, salvation, is taken care of in Jesus. 

And so no matter what you’re going through God in Christ will use it for your good.  That you’ll trust in Him whatever the circumstance.

Since God is for you in Christ crucified and risen no one can bring a charge against you.  No one can condemn you.  Not your sin.  Not even the devil.  Your sin is forgiven.  You’re justified in Christ’s forgiveness.  The devil is defeated.  And Good Friday and Easter Jesus intercedes for you at the Father’s right hand.  He holds up His wounds for the Father to see.  And He says:  “I died for him.  I died for her.”  

Because of the Father’s work for you in Jesus His Son, Paul makes another outrageous Gospel promise:  “Nothing can separate you from God’s love that is revealed to you in Savior Jesus.”   You name it and Paul is certain that it can’t divorce you from God’s love in Christ Jesus for you. 

What about the problems of this life?  Tribulation?  Distress?  Persecution?  Famine?  Nakedness?  Peril?  Sword?  Nope!  Won’t separate you from God’s love in Christ?

What about death?  This life?  Nope!  How about angels or other great powers?  Nope!  Nothing that you encounter in this life!   

Whatever you experience or whatever you encounter God uses it all for your good.  When your life looks like you’re being put to death all day long, like sheep being led to the slaughter, then you learn how to trust Him all the more.  Such faith in Jesus is how you “overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” 

And that love in Christ is always yours.  God will never go back on this promise.  He’s got you safe and sound in Christ no matter what. 

In the Name of Jesus.