JULY 29 | Romans 8:28-32

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DAILY READING

Romans 8:28-32

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REFLECTION

Receiving the Gift of His Purpose

By Vincent Jerrome

At first glance, we may see this scripture and think; How great is it that God will graciously give us all things! We most certainly are his elect and predestined ones, called, justified, and glorified by Him. There is no one in Heaven or on Earth that can succeed against us!  

And yes! That is so true and glorious indeed! 

But it does not paint the whole picture of how our lives as Christians will go.

This passage does not mean an easy and luxurious life is predestined for us. And the fact that no one can stand against us certainly doesn’t mean people won't try.

Just two verses earlier in this chapter, Paul assures the Romans that even when we do not know what to say in prayer, the Spirit intercedes for us with “Wordless groans”. 

Wordless groans of the Spirit is not exactly what I picture when thinking of all things working together for the good.

This however, is the exact message that was intended for the early Roman Christians.

At the time of Paul’s writing, Christians were subject to persecutions and tortures unimaginable to us today. The pure fear that would live in each believers mind is surely what Paul was targeting. 

For the early Roman Christians, the empire of Caesar would span farther than they could ever see. His armies would outnumber their churches a thousand to one. These are odds no human could comprehend, let alone withstand.

But in these circumstances, God lets us know that even though we will still have struggles like no other, this is nowhere near our final calling and his purpose for our lives.

The spirit that intercedes for us is the spirit of Christ himself. Transcending all mind and flesh. A power so incomprehensible and a love so strong that all fear, even in the face of immediate and grave danger, is instantly wiped away. Unimaginable odds of the world are nothing at his feet.

Graciously receiving all things is not a life of luxury and pleasure; Not for us, and most certainly not for the Romans Paul was writing to.

But it is a life of true goodness, justice, and glory with Christ our Lord forever. One where we know our calling and his purpose. A call home to the very life our souls were predestined for.

This is the case for us, and most certainly was for the early Roman Christians;

We are called, predestined, justified and Glorified all in his holy name, through his blood and for his purpose.

PRAYER

Praise be to you Lord, who hears the Spirit’s deep groans on our behalf. Let us know at all times that your plan is working in us for the good. Let us know you have predestined us for glory with you forever in our eternal home, through the death and resurrection of our savior. Let us graciously receive this gift. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vincent Jerrome