THIS IS AMAZING GRACE

 

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

 

Romans 8:26-28

.... the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

 

Romans 8:28, without context, could read like we just need to love and be called by God and He’ll smooth out the rest. But with this thinking, we’re left wondering, “I know I love God, so am I not as ‘called’ as those who seem to have nicer things and easier lives?” These kinds of questions, and the thoughts behind them, could lead us to “an effort-driven race to Easy Street,” the outcome of which and we would miss out on the grace-filled relationship with Christ. As Ephesians 2:8-9 says “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (See Matthew 11:28-29). I believe this would lead us to the place where we would be left wondering who wasn’t fulfilling on their end of the deal.

So, let’s unravel Romans 8:28. Romans was written by the Apostle Paul to Christians in Rome. (Romans 1:7) Paul was writing to outline the saving work of Christ: the Gospel. Let us look at some other teaching of the Apostle in Romans. Paul goes on to write of weak flesh in need of God’s Spirit, flesh so weak it doesn’t know what to pray (Romans 8:26). He wrote about how our vulnerability (weakness) helps us rely on the intercession of God’s Spirit because it is the Holy Spirit who knows the perfect will of God. Then finally, there’s Romans 8:28.

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.

What truth can we draw out? Paul wrote to Jesus followers in Rome about the power of the same Gospel that we live by today. He pointed out our inability to make things work out for our good and therefore this reveals our need for outside help, a Savior. He went on to explain how the Holy Spirit works things together for our good. When we’re suffering, weak, and waiting on Him, that’s when we’re most receptive. When we don’t even know what to pray, that’s when the Holy Spirit prays through us. When our way gets broken, that’s when He can “fill in the cracks” with His perfect will. So, I believe that Romans 8:28 doesn’t promise “Easy Street”, what it does promise to our weak, exhausted and at times fragile flesh, His strong Spirit, and His peace and good will.

AMEN!!