| The Christian Life | August 1943 |
The “All things” Promise
Christians Can’t Lose, If—
“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.”—Romans 8:28
THOSE who courageously strive for a certain goal in life try, philosophically, to make the best of mishaps and disappointments. In most instances, however, their optimism turns out to be wishful thinking, for the whole human race is handicapped by the curse of sin and death, hence there is little certainty with respect to any of life’s experiences.
But with the Christian it is different. His optimism is founded upon knowledge—“we know that all things work together for good.” We know this because God has promised that it shall be so, and two have confidence in God’s promises, not one of which has ever failed.
Our confidence is in the fact that all things “work together” for good—not that our experiences are in themselves pleasant or good. Paul himself, who gives us this blessed assurance, was put in prison, stoned, beaten and maligned. He suffered want and hardships. But he knew that all these experiences “worked together” for good. In their divide blending was provided a portion which was the very best for him as a new creature in Christ. So it is with us.
But this wonderful guarantee of divine overruling is merely for those who “love the Lord,” and who are the “called according to His purpose.” If we really love the Lord, we will desire to know and to do His will. And if we fully submit our wills to the doing of His will, it will mean that we are of those called to participate in His purpose. This is the “high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:14) In Hebrews 3:1 it is spoken of as the “heavenly calling.” It is a call to give up earthly hopes, aims and ambitions, and to set our affections on things above.—Colossians 3:1-4
The purpose of the calling is that those who attain to it may live and reign with Christ in His future Kingdom which is to bless all the families of the earth. As the calling implies the giving up of all things earthly, including life itself, we should not expect that all things will work together for our good along material lines. But God knows how to convert our earthly losses into heavenly gain; and He will do this if we continue to humble ourselves under His mighty hand.
And while we permit God to work in us and for us, may our faith lay hold so firmly upon His promises that the can say with Paul, “I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor Powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”—Romans 8:38,39