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All Things

            And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:28-32)

He works for the good of those who love Him

He works for the good of those who have been called according to His purpose

He foreknew and predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son

So His Son would have brothers and sisters

He called.

He justified.

He glorified.

He gave up His Son for us

So now, how will He not give us all things?

          Yeah, but here’s the challenge. It’s the discrepancy that often exists between each of the items in that list and our interpretation of the last item in the list. We tend to want things to be included in “all things” that aren’t for our good, that aren’t part of what He purposed, that don’t conform us to the image of His Son,  that don’t contribute to our being part of the family, that are incompatible with being called, justified, or glorified, and even sometimes, that are tied to the reason He had to give up His Son for us.

          As we are ending the year, perhaps this is something we need to talk about with God. Are there things we need to leave in 2025 so God can work for our good instead of dealing with our bad? Are we asking for things that cause harm? 

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