History is linear. History is HIS story, a line leading to our completed redemption in Jesus Christ!
Paul deals with the problem of purpose in Romans chapter 8.
God created everything good. However, today creation is fallen.
Genesis 1:31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
We are in a difficult section of the story right now…
· Suffering
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
· Vanity
Romans 8:20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope…
· Bondage
Romans 8:21 …that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
· Decay
· Pain
Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.
Today we groan and wait for our adoption.
Today the Holy Spirit groans for us.
Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
HIS Story is our hope…
1. We never lose hope because we know God is at work in the world.
Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Acts 17:26-27 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us.
2. We are encouraged because we know God has a perfect plan.
Romans 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Genesis 45:8 So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
3. All circumstances will work together in cooperation for the believer’s good.
Ephesians 1:4-5 Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The primary way things work for our good is when we are conformed to be like Jesus and are appointed to reign with Him.
Providence is not an avalanche; it is a rolling river, rippling at the first like a rill down the sides of the mountain, followed by minor streams, till it rolls in the broad ocean of everlasting love, working for the good of the human race. Charles Spurgeon
