As shown
in the previous post, scripture is very clear to tell us that God is love, and
that love is directed to every individual.
1 John 4:16 “God is love….”
John 3:16–17 “For God so loved the
world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the
world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
Notice that “whosoever” chooses to believe Him
will receive eternal life. That truth is
affirmed throughout scripture.
Ezekiel 33:11 “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the
wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye
from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?”
2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack
concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to
us-ward, not willing that any should
perish, but that all should come to
repentance.”
One who
turns to God in faith becomes His child…
Galatians 3:26 “For ye are all the
children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
…and has
even more promises that are specifically for His children. One of the most cherished comes from the pen
of the apostle Paul.
Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to
them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
“All
things” work together for good to them that love God. Note that there is a qualifier; this promise
is directed to those who “love God.”
Though we might not understand why God allows certain things to happen
in our lives, we can know that He is working to do good. I often think of Joseph in light of this
truth. Joseph was sold into slavery by
his brothers, put into prison undeservedly, and “suffered” that condition for
many years before realizing the “good” that God brought about from his bad
experiences. Jesus, however, is the
ultimate example of evil and suffering resulting in good. He spent His life labeled as
illegitimate. During His ministry He was
constantly under attack by the religious leaders of His day and even declared
to be a servant of Satan. Finally, He
suffered not only the hatred of the people, the excruciating pain of torture and
the cross, but—most painful of all—was also forsaken by His Father for the
first time ever as He willingly gave His life to make it possible for us to
enjoy eternal life in the presence of the Father. Some of the most amazing verses to me are that
it pleased the Father to do this and brought joy to the Savior. Why? Because
He loved us so much that He wanted to restore us to righteousness and deliver
us from the judgment of sin.
Isaiah 53:10–11 “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he
hath put him to grief: when
thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the
LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall
see of the travail of his soul, and
shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify
many; for he shall bear their iniquities.”
Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the
author and finisher of our
faith; who for the joy that was set
before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the
right hand of the throne of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made
him to be sin for us, who knew
no sin; that we might be made the
righteousness of God in him.”
In other
words, Jesus, the holy, sinless, righteous Son of God was made sin—my sin and
your sin—and suffered the judgment of separation from the Father that we
deserve by His willing sacrifice on the cross.
Jesus didn’t
leave us with false expectations concerning this life; He warned us that we
would experience trouble in this life.
He also promised that He would always be with us and empower us to be
overcomers.
John 16:33 “In the world ye shall
have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 “And he said unto
me, My grace is sufficient for thee….”
1 Corinthians 15:54–58 “So when
this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put
on immortality, then shall be
brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God,
which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye
stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye
know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
Note that the promise is
“when” not “if.”
Matthew 28:18–20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All
power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded
you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”
Note that Jesus has “ALL
power” in heaven and earth. No matter
what anyone may say to the contrary—this is the truth. As a child of God, we can rest in His power
and authority. No one can take away the
protection that is ours in the hand of Almighty God.
(to be continued…)
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