Romans 8:28
Verse
Context
God Works in All Things
27And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.28And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.29For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.
Sermons
Jackie Pullinger
Kathryn Kuhlman
David Wilkerson
Oswald J. Smith
Charles Stanley
Keith DanielDavid WilkersonSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God - To understand this verse aright, let us observe: 1. That the persons in whose behalf all things work for good are they who love God, and, consequently, who live in the spirit of obedience. 2. It is not said that all things shall work for good, but that συνεργει, they work now in the behalf of him who loveth now, αγαπωσι; for both verbs are in the present tense. All these things work together; while they are working, God's providence is working, his Spirit is working, and they are working Together with him. And whatever troubles, or afflictions, or persecutions may arise, God presses them into their service; and they make a part of the general working, and are caused to contribute to the general good of the person who now loves God, and who is working by faith and love under the influence and operation of the Holy Ghost. They who say sin works for good to them that love God speak blasphemous nonsense. A man who now loves God is not now sinning against God; and the promise belongs only to the present time: and as love is the true incentive to obedience, the man who is entitled to the promise can never, while thus entitled, (loving God), be found in the commission of sin. But though this be a good general sense for these words, yet the all things mentioned here by the apostle seem more particularly to mean those things mentioned in Rom 8:28-30. To them who are the called according to his purpose - Dr. Taylor translates τοις κλητοις, the invited; and observes that it is a metaphor taken from inviting guests, or making them welcome to a feast. As if he had said: Certainly all things work together for their good; for this reason, because they are called, invited, or made welcome to the blessings of the covenant, (which is ratified in eating of the covenant sacrifice), according to God's original purpose first declared to Abraham, Gen 17:4 : Thou shalt be a father of many nations - and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him, Gen 18:18. Thus this clause is to be understood; and thus it is an argument to prove that all things, how afflictive soever, shall work for our good while we continue to love God. Our being called or invited, according to God's purpose, proves that all things work for our good, on the supposition that we love God, and not otherwise. For our loving God, or making a due improvement of our calling, is evidently inserted by the apostle to make good his argument. He does not pretend to prove that all things shall concur to the everlasting happiness of all that are called; but only to those of the called who love God. Our calling, thus qualified is the ground of his argument, which he prosecutes and completes in the two next verses. Our calling he takes for granted, as a thing evident and unquestionable among all Christians. But you will say: How is it evident and unquestionable that we are called? I answer: From our being in the visible Church, and professing the faith of the Gospel. For always, in the apostolic writings, all that are in the visible Church, and profess the faith of the Gospel, are numbered among the called or invited; i.e. among the persons who are invited to feast on the covenant sacrifice, and who thus, in reference to themselves, confirm and ratify the covenant. As for what is termed effectual calling, as distinguished from the general invitations of the Gospel, it is a distinction which divines have invented without any warrant from the sacred writings. Our calling, therefore, is considered by the apostle in the nature of a self-evident proposition, which nobody doubts or denies; or which, indeed, no Christian ought to doubt, or can call in question, Taylor's notes.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
And--or, "Moreover," or "Now"; noting a transition to a new particular. we know, &c.--The order in the original is more striking: "We know that to them that love God" (compare Co1 2:9; Eph 6:24; Jam 1:12; Jam 2:5) "all things work together for good [even] to them who are the called (rather, 'who are called') according to His (eternal) purpose." Glorious assurance! And this, it seems, was a "household word," a "known" thing, among believers. This working of all things for good is done quite naturally to "them that love God," because such souls, persuaded that He who gave His own Son for them cannot but mean them well in all His procedure, learn thus to take in good part whatever He sends them, however trying to flesh and blood: and to them who are the called, according to "His purpose," all things do in the same intelligible way "work together for good"; for, even when "He hath His way in the whirlwind," they see "His chariot paved with love" (Sol 3:10). And knowing that it is in pursuance of an eternal "purpose" of love that they have been "called into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ" (Co1 1:9), they naturally say within themselves, "It cannot be that He 'of whom, and through whom, and to whom are all things,' should suffer that purpose to be thwarted by anything really adverse to us, or that He should not make all things, dark as well as light, crooked as well as straight, to co-operate to the furtherance and final completion of His high design."
John Gill Bible Commentary
And we know that all things work together for good,.... There is a temporal good, and a spiritual good, and an eternal one. Temporal good is what the men of the world are seeking after, and generally have the greatest share of, and the saints the least; and yet they have as much as is needful for them, and what they have, they have with a blessing; and even sometimes afflictions work for the temporal good of God's children: spiritual good lies in a lively exercise of grace and a conformity of the soul to God; and is what the men of the world least regard, and the saints most; and sometimes afflictions issue in this sort of good, as they do also in eternal good, for they work for us an exceeding weight of glory: by "all things" may be meant, all beings good and bad: all good beings eternal or created: eternal, as Jehovah the Father, all his perfections, purposes, promises, provisions, and performances; Jehovah the Son, as the mighty God, and as Mediator, all that he is in himself, all that he has in himself, all that he has done, or is doing, all his titles, characters, and relations; Jehovah the Spirit, in his person, offices, and operations; these all have worked together in the council of peace, in the covenant of grace, and in redemption; and they do work together in sanctification, and so they will in glorification, and that for the good of the saints: all created ones, as good angels, good magistrates, good ministers of the Gospel: all evil beings, as devils, persecuting magistrates, heretics, and false teachers: all things, good and bad: all good things, outward peace and prosperity, external gifts, the ministry of the word, the administration of ordinances, church censures, admonitions, and excommunications; all evil things, sin the evil of evils: original sin, or the fall of Adam, which contains all other sins in it, was attended with aggravating circumstances, and followed with dismal consequences, yet has been overruled for good; hereby a Saviour became necessary, who was sent, came, and wrought out salvation; has brought in a better righteousness than Adam lost; entitled his people to a better life than his was, and makes them partakers of the riches both of grace and glory: actual sin, inward or outward; indwelling sin; which is made use of, when discovered, to abate pride, to lead to an entire dependence on Christ, to teach saints to be less censorious, to depend on the power and grace of God to keep them, and to wean them from this world, and to make them desirous of another, where they shall be free from it; outward sins, of others, or their own; the sins of others, of wicked men, which observed, raise an indignation in the saints against sin, and a concern for God's glory, and to look into their own hearts and ways, and admire the grace of God to them, that this is not their case; of good men, which are recorded, and may be observed, not for example and encouragement in sin, but for admonition, and to encourage faith and hope under a sense of it; of their own, for humiliation, which issues in weakening the power of sin in themselves, and the strengthening of the graces of others: but from all this it does not follow, that God is the author of sin, only that he overrules it to wise and gracious purposes; nor should any take encouragement to sin, to do evil that good may come; nor is sin itself a real good; nor is it to be said that it does no hurt; for though it cannot hinder the everlasting salvation of God's people, it does a great deal of hurt to their peace and comfort; and that it is made to work in any form or shape for good, is not owing to its own nature and influence, which is malignant enough, but to the unbounded power and unsearchable wisdom of God: all evils or afflictions, spiritual and temporal, work together for good; all spiritual ones, such as the temptations of Satan, which are made useful for humiliation, for the trial of grace, to show us our weakness, our need of Christ, and to conform us to him, and also to excite to prayer and watchfulness; the hidings of God's face, which make his presence the more prized when enjoyed, and the more desirable. Temporal afflictions, afflictions in body, name, or estate, nay even death itself, all work together for the good of God's people. The Jews tell us of one Nahum, the man Gamzu, who, they say, was (k) so called, because of everything that happened to him he used to say, , "Gam zu letobah", "this is also for good": and they give instances of several misfortunes which befell him, upon which account he used these words, and how they proved in the issue to his advantage: agreeably to this is the advice given by them, "for ever (say they (l)) let a man be used to say, all that the Lord does, , "he does for good".'' Now that all things do work together for good, the saints "know", and are firmly persuaded of; both from the word and promises of God, and from the instances of Jacob, Joseph, Job, and others, and also from their own experience: and it is to be observed, that it is not said that all things "have" worked together, and so they may again, or that they "shall" work together, but all things work together for good; they "now" work together, they are always working together, whether it can be observed or not: prosperity and adversity, whether in things temporal or spiritual, work "together", and make an intricate woven work in providence and grace; which will be viewed with admiration another day: one copy reads, "God works together", or "causes all things to work together for good"; and so the Ethiopic version, "we know that God helps them that love him, to every good thing": and to this agrees the Syriac version, "we know that to them that love God, he in everything helps them to good"; and certain it is, that God is the efficient cause, that makes all things work together for his people's good. The persons to whom all things work together for good, are described as such that love God; a character, which does not agree with all the sons and daughters of Adam: love to God is not naturally in men; it is wrought in the soul in regeneration, and is an evidence of it; it grows up with faith, which works by it; without it, a profession of religion is vain; and where it is once wrought, it lasts for ever; it ought to be superlative and universal, constant, warm and ardent, hearty and sincere: such who have it, show it by a desire to be like to God, and therefore imitate him, by making his glory the supreme end of their actions; by being careful not to offend him; by delighting in his presence, in his people, word, ordinances, ways, and worship; and by undervaluing the world, and all things in it, in comparison of him; who is to be loved for the perfections of his being, the characters and relations he stands in and bears to his people, and on account of the love with which he has loved them, and which is indeed the spring and source of theirs. They are further described, as such who are the called according to his purpose. The called of God and of Jesus Christ; not to any office, or by the external ministry of the word only, but by special grace; from darkness to light, from bondage to liberty, from the company of sinful men to fellowship with Christ, from a trust in their own righteousness to a dependence on his, to grace here, and glory hereafter; which is done according to the purpose of God: the persons called are fixed upon by God; none are called but whom God purposed to call; those who are called can assign no other reason of it than the will of God; and no other reason but that can be given why others are not called; the time when, the place where, the means whereby persons are called, are all settled and determined by the will, and according to the purpose of God. (k) T. Bab. Taanith, fol. 21. 1. Sanhedrin, fol. 108. 2. Cosri, fol. 151. 1. (l) T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 60. 2.
Romans 8:28
God Works in All Things
27And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.28And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.29For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
God Uses Foolish Things
By Jackie Pullinger21K1:10:12Foolish ThingsPRO 3:5MAT 6:33ROM 8:28JAS 1:22In this video, the speaker discusses the importance of scoring a three, two, and four in a specific process. They mention the idea of a snow-covered holiday and walking on snow. The speaker also talks about adding a sketchy name and keeping it in the description. They emphasize the need to get into the world and make an impact on people's lives. The speaker questions how people feel when they die and encourages practicing and being present in the world. They mention Jesus and his role as a mediator and discuss the importance of trust in platforms.
God Directs Our Lives
By Kathryn Kuhlman19K23:34DirectionPSA 46:10PRO 3:5MAT 6:33JHN 14:6JHN 14:16ROM 8:28HEB 4:15In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding that God is a person. They share personal anecdotes about their relationship with their earthly father, highlighting the emotional connection and care they received. The speaker then explains that God, as a person, possesses intellect, emotion, and will. They emphasize the significance of having fellowship with God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. The sermon concludes by emphasizing the trustworthiness of God's wisdom and knowledge.
(Nicaragua) I Have Labored in Vain
By David Wilkerson12K44:15MinistryISA 49:1MAT 6:33ROM 8:281CO 15:58GAL 6:9PHP 1:6HEB 4:15In this sermon, the speaker shares the story of a missionary who became discouraged after five years of laboring in a certain nation without seeing any results. Despite God's promises, the missionary felt empty and dry, pretending to be happy at conferences while secretly hurting inside. Another missionary, David Livingston, also experienced a similar feeling of laboring in vain after 23 years of work in Africa. The speaker also mentions George Bowling, a missionary who gave up his wealth and comfort to serve in Bombay, India, but also felt like his work was in vain. The sermon emphasizes the importance of not losing hope and continuing to trust in God's promises, even when it seems like our efforts are fruitless.
Christ Lord and Master
By Oswald J. Smith10K1:02:52Lordship Of Jesus ChristMAT 6:33ACT 1:8ROM 8:28EPH 5:19PHP 4:13JAS 4:81JN 1:7In this sermon, the speaker begins by expressing gratitude for the blessings and grace that God has bestowed upon the church and its members. They also mention the success of their television ministry in reaching and impacting people's lives. The speaker then leads the congregation in a hymn and encourages them to sing more enthusiastically. They emphasize the importance of walking in the light and having fellowship with one another through the cleansing power of Jesus' blood. The sermon concludes with a prayer for the sick and a request to remember those who have passed away.
Brokenness Study #2 - the Purpose
By Charles Stanley9.1K50:38BrokennessEXO 2:11EXO 3:4MAT 6:33ROM 8:282CO 12:9PHP 3:13In this sermon, the speaker discusses the incredible task that God gave to Moses. He was instructed to go to Pharaoh and demand the release of the Hebrew people. Moses was initially hesitant and overwhelmed by the enormity of the task, but God assured him that He would be with him every step of the way. The speaker emphasizes the importance of brokenness and surrender in our lives, as it allows God to work through us and fulfill His plans for us.
(2008 Usa Tour) Caleb, Give Me This Mountain!
By Keith Daniel8.8K1:06:04CalebJOS 4:14PSA 119:11PRO 3:5JER 29:11MAT 6:33MAT 22:37ROM 8:28In this sermon, the preacher begins by referencing the book of Joshua and briefly mentioning the story of Caleb. He then transitions to discussing the importance of being consumed with a goal given by God and the significance of not retiring from serving God. The preacher shares a personal story of being asked by God to memorize passages from the Bible and the impact it had on his life. He also mentions the importance of physical activity, specifically running, in aiding the memorization process.
A Christian’s Response to Calamities
By David Wilkerson8.1K45:24CalamitiesPRO 3:5JER 33:3LUK 1:37LUK 21:28ROM 8:28GAL 6:92PE 3:9In this sermon, the speaker addresses the response of Christians to calamities happening in the world. They emphasize that while the world may be alarmed and nervous, Christians have a different response. The speaker highlights the importance of God's warnings and prophecies, even if the secular world may not heed them. They emphasize that while judgment is a part of God's plan, it cannot be the only message of the Church. Instead, Christians should have hope and use this time to reach out to the lost world.
When the Holy Spirit Departs
By David Wilkerson8.0K52:06GEN 1:1EXO 20:3PRO 3:5ISA 40:31MAT 28:19ROM 8:28In the video, the preacher repeatedly emphasizes the message of "Get out." This phrase is repeated multiple times, emphasizing the urgency and importance of the message. The preacher also uses the acronym
A Living Sacrifice - Part 1
By Paul Washer8.0K45:49SacrificeMAT 6:33LUK 7:47ROM 8:28ROM 12:1In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of guarding one's mind and thoughts. He shares a story about a famous violinist who dedicated his life to his craft, highlighting the commitment required to excel in any area. The speaker also discusses the negative influence of worldly media and urges listeners to be mindful of what they allow into their minds. He encourages young people to offer themselves to God and live in a way that glorifies Him. The sermon emphasizes the need for regeneration and the importance of meditating on the Word of God.
Spiritual Olympics
By Leonard Ravenhill8.0K44:44Christian WalkPRO 3:11MAT 6:33ROM 8:28ROM 8:32HEB 11:37HEB 12:6HEB 12:9In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of the prodigal son and relates it to the journey of a Christian. He emphasizes the importance of patience and endurance in the Christian walk, comparing it to a race. The preacher highlights that receiving a reward or recognition quickly does not necessarily indicate true value or maturity. He also emphasizes that it takes time and refinement from God to develop a person into a strong and faithful servant.
Whats Wrong With the Gospel - Part 4
By Keith Green7.8K09:51GEN 41:32JOB 14:7PRO 16:9MAT 6:33LUK 12:34ROM 8:281CO 2:9In this sermon, the speaker discusses the topic of money and the potential loss that can occur if we don't take breaks. He emphasizes the importance of taking breaks and not constantly working, as it can lead to a loss of money. The speaker also mentions a conversation with someone named John, where John expresses his dislike for the speaker. The speaker reflects on the need to understand how others feel about us. The sermon concludes with gratitude and a reminder to go deep in our recovery and trust in God during times of transition.
Ye Must Be Born Again - Part 2
By Leonard Ravenhill7.3K31:12Born AgainPSA 23:1PRO 3:5JER 29:11MAT 28:19JHN 14:6ROM 8:28PHP 4:13In this video, the speaker repeatedly emphasizes that they will be showing the viewers something important. They mention this multiple times throughout the video. However, the specific content of what they will be showing is not mentioned. The speaker also mentions that they will be showing a little bit of what they will be showing, but again, the actual content is not revealed. The video seems to be focused on building anticipation for what will be shown, without actually providing any concrete information.
Intimacy With God
By Charles Stanley6.9K55:38IntimacyMAT 6:33MAT 17:4MAT 17:9JHN 14:9ROM 8:28In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of developing an intimate relationship with God. He explains that as we depend on God and seek Him, we will begin to see Him in new ways and experience a deeper connection with Him. The preacher highlights Proverbs 4:18, which compares the path of the righteous to the light of dawn that shines brighter and brighter. This signifies that as we walk in God's path, our understanding of Him and His ways will increase. The preacher also mentions that knowing God goes beyond listening to sermons and involves actively engaging with His Word and allowing Him to work in our lives.
A Golden Prayer
By C.H. Spurgeon6.8K53:14ISA 42:8MAT 6:33JHN 12:13JHN 12:28ROM 8:28PHP 2:141PE 5:7The sermon transcript discusses the inner conflicts and troubles of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the complexity of Jesus' person and the need to approach the topic with caution and reverence. The sermon also highlights the notable miracle of Lazarus' resurrection and the popularity Jesus gained as a result. The transcript concludes with a call to glorify God's name in the past, present, and future.
Resurection Power of Jesus
By Leonard Ravenhill6.7K1:19:54Resurrection LifeMAT 6:33JHN 20:29ACT 1:3ROM 8:281CO 15:31JN 2:15REV 1:9In this sermon, the speaker discusses the reign of Jesus Christ and the blessings that come with it. He emphasizes that Jesus will reign from shore to shore and that in his kingdom, prisoners will be set free and the weary will find eternal rest. The speaker also mentions the joy of eternity and suggests that sinners may benefit from witnessing the judgment of others. He concludes by urging viewers to subscribe to Last Days Ministries for further teachings and resources.
Revival Series 7
By Leonard Ravenhill6.6K47:24RevivalPSA 23:1PRO 3:5ISA 40:31MAT 28:19JHN 3:16ROM 8:28PHP 4:13In the video, the speaker repeatedly mentions turning something off, but it is unclear what exactly he is referring to. He also mentions the phrase "let's go" multiple times. The speaker seems to be in a hurry and is constantly saying "OK" and "right" as if trying to move on quickly. There is no clear message or content related to the preaching of the word of God in this video.
A Psalm of Remembrance
By C.H. Spurgeon6.3K39:04PSA 23:4PSA 102:27PSA 103:2MAT 11:28ROM 8:28HEB 13:51JN 4:16In this sermon, the preacher uses the analogy of a foreigner describing the fruits of his land to emphasize the limitations of human description when it comes to conveying the goodness of God. The preacher then applies this concept to matters of grace, explaining that no words can fully capture the experience of God's love and the blessings received by believers. The sermon also highlights the transformative power of God's love, using examples from the Bible such as Jacob's life and the deliverance from trials. Overall, the sermon emphasizes that personal experience and testimony are more powerful than any description, and that God's love is the foundation of Christian encouragement.
(Hebrews - Part 2): He Has Spoken to Us by His Son
By A.W. Tozer6.2K36:02ExpositionalMAT 6:33ROM 8:28EPH 1:10COL 1:17HEB 1:1REV 20:10In this sermon, the preacher begins by describing a building that is only partially constructed and compares it to the condition of the world. He explains that just as the building is not complete, the world is filled with ongoing problems and troubles. The preacher then discusses the power of music and harmony, emphasizing the unity and fellowship found in Christianity. He also criticizes the rejection of certain aspects of Catholicism and emphasizes the importance of Jesus Christ in creation, redemption, and harmonization. The sermon concludes with a warning against falling for short-term promises and a call to embrace the infinite and eternal triumph offered by Jesus Christ.
Holy Harmony - Part 2
By Elisabeth Elliot5.7K41:00Unity1SA 3:18PSA 139:12JER 29:11MAT 6:33ROM 8:282CO 5:71PE 5:7In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the idea that everything in our lives is handed to us by God, who is loving, sovereign, omnipotent, and omniscient. The speaker encourages the audience to accept and embrace the circumstances of life as part of God's plan for their good. The sermon also highlights the obedience of early Christians who went into the world to preach the gospel, even at the cost of their lives. The speaker reminds the audience that as Christians, our lives may not make sense to the world, but we live in faith, drawing on supernatural power and being transformed into the image of Christ.
Esther #3 Ch. 5-7
By Chuck Missler5.6K50:27EstherPRO 3:5JER 17:5DAN 4:25MAT 6:33ROM 8:28In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Esther from the Bible. He highlights a scene where the king wants to reward Mordecai, but Haman, who wants to hang Mordecai, comes to the court. The preacher emphasizes the theme of the vanity of human greatness and the greatness of human vanity in the story. He also mentions the idea that coincidence is when God is working undercover. The sermon concludes with a review of the book of Esther and a discussion of the banquet of banquets.
Called to Be Christ-Like
By David Wilkerson5.5K49:20Christ Likeness1KI 19:18MAL 2:14MAT 22:37ROM 8:28ROM 11:21CO 3:16EPH 4:22In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about a man who becomes jealous and angry when he sees others prospering financially while he struggles. The man declares that it is his turn to be prosperous and believes that it is his right according to the Bible. However, the preacher warns that God does not accept the man's ministry or worship because he has dealt treacherously with his wife. The preacher emphasizes the importance of repentance and encourages those who feel convicted to come forward for prayer and seek Christ-likeness in their lives.
Learning How to Be Ordinary
By David Wilkerson5.4K49:46PSA 37:23MRK 16:18ROM 6:14ROM 8:28HEB 4:9JAS 4:71JN 3:1In this sermon, the preacher discusses the pressure that society puts on individuals to be successful and extraordinary. He gives examples of parents pushing their children to excel in sports or music, and the prevalence of self-help books promoting success and wealth. The preacher also highlights the dangers of this mindset by referencing Hitler and the impact of his success message on the German people. He concludes by emphasizing the importance of embracing ordinariness and recognizing that true worth and calling come from God, not from worldly achievements.
(Basics) 2. God Makes Evil Work for Good
By Zac Poonen5.3K12:28GEN 50:20ISA 54:17ROM 8:28ROM 16:202CO 12:9JAS 4:71JN 3:8In this sermon, the preacher shares a story of a businessman who drifted away from God as his business prospered. Despite the elders of his church trying to bring him back to faith, he was too occupied with his success. However, when his youngest son fell seriously ill after being bitten by a poisonous snake, the father realized the importance of turning back to God. The preacher emphasizes that Jesus Christ has the power to undo the works of Satan and untie the knots in our lives. He explains that God uses evil and Satan to further His purposes, ultimately bringing people to salvation. The sermon highlights the almighty power of God and how He makes a fool of Satan by using evil to deliver people from his clutches.
The Challenge of Every Christian - Part 5
By Alan Redpath5.0K59:34Challenge1CH 4:23MAT 6:33ROM 8:282CO 9:10EPH 3:20PHP 4:131PE 3:15The sermon transcript is focused on the theme of communicating Christ and the challenges faced by Christians in doing so. The speaker emphasizes the need for revival and the love of Christ as the motive for sharing the message. The importance of discipline and seeking God's face is highlighted, along with the need to examine one's actions and sowing. The speaker also emphasizes the consequences of sowing to the flesh versus sowing to the Spirit, and the importance of showing God that one means business in order to receive His abundant grace. The sermon concludes with the reminder that there are no shortcuts to holiness.
Pray and Not Lose Heart
By Paul Washer5.0K1:05:23GEN 2:16PSA 84:11ISA 62:5JER 32:40LUK 18:1JHN 19:30ROM 8:28In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the limitations of a brief encounter with people at a conference and expresses a desire for a conference solely focused on fellowship. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about a frustrating encounter with someone that led to a moment of revelation from God. The speaker then transitions to discussing the importance of prayer and references Luke 18:1, emphasizing the need to pray continually and not lose heart. The speaker also highlights the deceptive nature of Satan, who portrays himself as an advocate but ultimately seeks to accuse and deceive.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God - To understand this verse aright, let us observe: 1. That the persons in whose behalf all things work for good are they who love God, and, consequently, who live in the spirit of obedience. 2. It is not said that all things shall work for good, but that συνεργει, they work now in the behalf of him who loveth now, αγαπωσι; for both verbs are in the present tense. All these things work together; while they are working, God's providence is working, his Spirit is working, and they are working Together with him. And whatever troubles, or afflictions, or persecutions may arise, God presses them into their service; and they make a part of the general working, and are caused to contribute to the general good of the person who now loves God, and who is working by faith and love under the influence and operation of the Holy Ghost. They who say sin works for good to them that love God speak blasphemous nonsense. A man who now loves God is not now sinning against God; and the promise belongs only to the present time: and as love is the true incentive to obedience, the man who is entitled to the promise can never, while thus entitled, (loving God), be found in the commission of sin. But though this be a good general sense for these words, yet the all things mentioned here by the apostle seem more particularly to mean those things mentioned in Rom 8:28-30. To them who are the called according to his purpose - Dr. Taylor translates τοις κλητοις, the invited; and observes that it is a metaphor taken from inviting guests, or making them welcome to a feast. As if he had said: Certainly all things work together for their good; for this reason, because they are called, invited, or made welcome to the blessings of the covenant, (which is ratified in eating of the covenant sacrifice), according to God's original purpose first declared to Abraham, Gen 17:4 : Thou shalt be a father of many nations - and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him, Gen 18:18. Thus this clause is to be understood; and thus it is an argument to prove that all things, how afflictive soever, shall work for our good while we continue to love God. Our being called or invited, according to God's purpose, proves that all things work for our good, on the supposition that we love God, and not otherwise. For our loving God, or making a due improvement of our calling, is evidently inserted by the apostle to make good his argument. He does not pretend to prove that all things shall concur to the everlasting happiness of all that are called; but only to those of the called who love God. Our calling, thus qualified is the ground of his argument, which he prosecutes and completes in the two next verses. Our calling he takes for granted, as a thing evident and unquestionable among all Christians. But you will say: How is it evident and unquestionable that we are called? I answer: From our being in the visible Church, and professing the faith of the Gospel. For always, in the apostolic writings, all that are in the visible Church, and profess the faith of the Gospel, are numbered among the called or invited; i.e. among the persons who are invited to feast on the covenant sacrifice, and who thus, in reference to themselves, confirm and ratify the covenant. As for what is termed effectual calling, as distinguished from the general invitations of the Gospel, it is a distinction which divines have invented without any warrant from the sacred writings. Our calling, therefore, is considered by the apostle in the nature of a self-evident proposition, which nobody doubts or denies; or which, indeed, no Christian ought to doubt, or can call in question, Taylor's notes.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
And--or, "Moreover," or "Now"; noting a transition to a new particular. we know, &c.--The order in the original is more striking: "We know that to them that love God" (compare Co1 2:9; Eph 6:24; Jam 1:12; Jam 2:5) "all things work together for good [even] to them who are the called (rather, 'who are called') according to His (eternal) purpose." Glorious assurance! And this, it seems, was a "household word," a "known" thing, among believers. This working of all things for good is done quite naturally to "them that love God," because such souls, persuaded that He who gave His own Son for them cannot but mean them well in all His procedure, learn thus to take in good part whatever He sends them, however trying to flesh and blood: and to them who are the called, according to "His purpose," all things do in the same intelligible way "work together for good"; for, even when "He hath His way in the whirlwind," they see "His chariot paved with love" (Sol 3:10). And knowing that it is in pursuance of an eternal "purpose" of love that they have been "called into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ" (Co1 1:9), they naturally say within themselves, "It cannot be that He 'of whom, and through whom, and to whom are all things,' should suffer that purpose to be thwarted by anything really adverse to us, or that He should not make all things, dark as well as light, crooked as well as straight, to co-operate to the furtherance and final completion of His high design."
John Gill Bible Commentary
And we know that all things work together for good,.... There is a temporal good, and a spiritual good, and an eternal one. Temporal good is what the men of the world are seeking after, and generally have the greatest share of, and the saints the least; and yet they have as much as is needful for them, and what they have, they have with a blessing; and even sometimes afflictions work for the temporal good of God's children: spiritual good lies in a lively exercise of grace and a conformity of the soul to God; and is what the men of the world least regard, and the saints most; and sometimes afflictions issue in this sort of good, as they do also in eternal good, for they work for us an exceeding weight of glory: by "all things" may be meant, all beings good and bad: all good beings eternal or created: eternal, as Jehovah the Father, all his perfections, purposes, promises, provisions, and performances; Jehovah the Son, as the mighty God, and as Mediator, all that he is in himself, all that he has in himself, all that he has done, or is doing, all his titles, characters, and relations; Jehovah the Spirit, in his person, offices, and operations; these all have worked together in the council of peace, in the covenant of grace, and in redemption; and they do work together in sanctification, and so they will in glorification, and that for the good of the saints: all created ones, as good angels, good magistrates, good ministers of the Gospel: all evil beings, as devils, persecuting magistrates, heretics, and false teachers: all things, good and bad: all good things, outward peace and prosperity, external gifts, the ministry of the word, the administration of ordinances, church censures, admonitions, and excommunications; all evil things, sin the evil of evils: original sin, or the fall of Adam, which contains all other sins in it, was attended with aggravating circumstances, and followed with dismal consequences, yet has been overruled for good; hereby a Saviour became necessary, who was sent, came, and wrought out salvation; has brought in a better righteousness than Adam lost; entitled his people to a better life than his was, and makes them partakers of the riches both of grace and glory: actual sin, inward or outward; indwelling sin; which is made use of, when discovered, to abate pride, to lead to an entire dependence on Christ, to teach saints to be less censorious, to depend on the power and grace of God to keep them, and to wean them from this world, and to make them desirous of another, where they shall be free from it; outward sins, of others, or their own; the sins of others, of wicked men, which observed, raise an indignation in the saints against sin, and a concern for God's glory, and to look into their own hearts and ways, and admire the grace of God to them, that this is not their case; of good men, which are recorded, and may be observed, not for example and encouragement in sin, but for admonition, and to encourage faith and hope under a sense of it; of their own, for humiliation, which issues in weakening the power of sin in themselves, and the strengthening of the graces of others: but from all this it does not follow, that God is the author of sin, only that he overrules it to wise and gracious purposes; nor should any take encouragement to sin, to do evil that good may come; nor is sin itself a real good; nor is it to be said that it does no hurt; for though it cannot hinder the everlasting salvation of God's people, it does a great deal of hurt to their peace and comfort; and that it is made to work in any form or shape for good, is not owing to its own nature and influence, which is malignant enough, but to the unbounded power and unsearchable wisdom of God: all evils or afflictions, spiritual and temporal, work together for good; all spiritual ones, such as the temptations of Satan, which are made useful for humiliation, for the trial of grace, to show us our weakness, our need of Christ, and to conform us to him, and also to excite to prayer and watchfulness; the hidings of God's face, which make his presence the more prized when enjoyed, and the more desirable. Temporal afflictions, afflictions in body, name, or estate, nay even death itself, all work together for the good of God's people. The Jews tell us of one Nahum, the man Gamzu, who, they say, was (k) so called, because of everything that happened to him he used to say, , "Gam zu letobah", "this is also for good": and they give instances of several misfortunes which befell him, upon which account he used these words, and how they proved in the issue to his advantage: agreeably to this is the advice given by them, "for ever (say they (l)) let a man be used to say, all that the Lord does, , "he does for good".'' Now that all things do work together for good, the saints "know", and are firmly persuaded of; both from the word and promises of God, and from the instances of Jacob, Joseph, Job, and others, and also from their own experience: and it is to be observed, that it is not said that all things "have" worked together, and so they may again, or that they "shall" work together, but all things work together for good; they "now" work together, they are always working together, whether it can be observed or not: prosperity and adversity, whether in things temporal or spiritual, work "together", and make an intricate woven work in providence and grace; which will be viewed with admiration another day: one copy reads, "God works together", or "causes all things to work together for good"; and so the Ethiopic version, "we know that God helps them that love him, to every good thing": and to this agrees the Syriac version, "we know that to them that love God, he in everything helps them to good"; and certain it is, that God is the efficient cause, that makes all things work together for his people's good. The persons to whom all things work together for good, are described as such that love God; a character, which does not agree with all the sons and daughters of Adam: love to God is not naturally in men; it is wrought in the soul in regeneration, and is an evidence of it; it grows up with faith, which works by it; without it, a profession of religion is vain; and where it is once wrought, it lasts for ever; it ought to be superlative and universal, constant, warm and ardent, hearty and sincere: such who have it, show it by a desire to be like to God, and therefore imitate him, by making his glory the supreme end of their actions; by being careful not to offend him; by delighting in his presence, in his people, word, ordinances, ways, and worship; and by undervaluing the world, and all things in it, in comparison of him; who is to be loved for the perfections of his being, the characters and relations he stands in and bears to his people, and on account of the love with which he has loved them, and which is indeed the spring and source of theirs. They are further described, as such who are the called according to his purpose. The called of God and of Jesus Christ; not to any office, or by the external ministry of the word only, but by special grace; from darkness to light, from bondage to liberty, from the company of sinful men to fellowship with Christ, from a trust in their own righteousness to a dependence on his, to grace here, and glory hereafter; which is done according to the purpose of God: the persons called are fixed upon by God; none are called but whom God purposed to call; those who are called can assign no other reason of it than the will of God; and no other reason but that can be given why others are not called; the time when, the place where, the means whereby persons are called, are all settled and determined by the will, and according to the purpose of God. (k) T. Bab. Taanith, fol. 21. 1. Sanhedrin, fol. 108. 2. Cosri, fol. 151. 1. (l) T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 60. 2.