Timeless

Here is a link to last week’s study on Romans 8.

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28 (CSB)

Seed Basket continues its survey of Romans 8.

Today we open with a very familiar verse. Many Christ followers think they believe it until something hard happens and they realize they doubt it.

Often, believers find it easier to share this verse with others who are hurting.

When life is hard, can we know that God is aware?

Can we be certain that He has planned our lives with the best outcome in mind?

How can suffering work to bring good?

I was a believer who took a lot of time before I saw the truth in that verse. God is good; He has brought me through illness, fear, and loss. I’ve learned to follow His lead in sharing this truth with hurting Christians.

Believers are at different stages of spiritual growth, so we should not judge or assume.

Be available. Be quiet. Listen.

Lay your own doubt at the feet of Christ. Be humble and obedient before Him. Your faith will flourish as the Spirit teaches you trust.

This wonderful verse is a reminder of the spiritual benefits of faith in Christ. But this verse isn’t a quick fix for pain. As a matter of fact, look at verse 29.

For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Romans 8:29 (CSB)

This passage is reminding us that Jesus knows what it will take to conform us to look more like Himself. Our connection to Jesus is worth every painful step.

I think we should be more excited about the fact that God is doing something wonderful in our lives.

The maker of the universe wants to fashion something beautiful in you and me!

I’m gonna let it shine!

Jesus warned His disciples that this world would bring trouble. And it did. Look how the disciple Thomas finally began to be transformed. After the resurrection of Jesus, it was eight days before Thomas found his faith in the Savior. Click here to read about it. “Undoubtedly Thomas”

All eleven disciples and many others that we read about in the book of Acts found Jesus sufficient for their spiritual journey.

With the Holy Spirit as their Helper, they were inspired to continue building the Church of Jesus, even amid persecution and death.

We can do the same. Develop your relationship by reading the Bible, talk to Abba, and fellowship with the family of God.

But He knows the way that I take. When He has tried me, I will come out like gold.

Job 23:10

The Bible also comforts us with this truth –

“…if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13 (CSB)

Look how an early author of the Geneva Bible notes reflected on Romans 8:28

“We are not afflicted, either by chance or to our harm, but by God’s providence for our great profit, who as he chose us from the beginning, so hath he predestined us to be made like to the image of his Son: and therefore, will bring us in his time, being called and justified, to glory, by the cross.” ¹

Do you see this verse in a different way now? The way it was intended.

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

1. The Geneva Bible
   1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts. ↩︎