Yesterday we left off with this verse from Romans 8:28--
(link to yesterday's post)
This verse is incredibly comforting.
This verse should be incredibly comforting, but there are conditions--
God doesn't say that "all things work for everybody's good."
The conditional clause contains the phrase
"to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
One could spend many hours, days, months studying all the ramifications of this phrase but a simple study reveals this:
Here is where the rubber meets the road--
Satan tries to discourage us with thoughts of:
"You will never be able to keep your part of this verse."
"You cannot love your neighbor as yourself."
"You cannot love God as you ought."
Satan does not want us to take comfort in that verse so he does everything in his power to pour guilt trip after guilt trip, condemnation, and every other negative thing he can think of--on us. He heaps it on--
And we can't do those things--we are powerless in ourselves.
But God's precious Holy Spirit can do it through us.
But I am getting ahead of myself. Let's back up just a bit to yesterday's post and the part about our hearts.
Remember--
So this brings us back to an examination of our hearts--
What does God see when He looks on our hearts--
We will make mistakes, we are human--God knew that we are "dust."
So now that we know "it is not us but God working through us" that accomplishes the conditional part of the verse, we can relax and dwell on "letting Him do it."
Satan tries to deceive us and make us think that following God's laws and commandments are a drudgery and something impossible--but actually it is just the opposite and brings so much joy.
(To follow God's laws and precepts, we have to know them)
When we really grasp this in our minds, in our hearts, in our very being, then studying His Word, spending time alone with Him, seeking Him and a close intimate relationship with Him becomes a complete joy--
Just listen to these verses from Psalm 119 speaking of God's laws--
This is what following God's laws will accomplish:
See what a liar satan is--
He tries to make us believe following God's precepts is an impossible, drudge-laden thing.
God tells us just the opposite--who wouldn't want their soul refreshed, or to become wise, have a joy-filled heart or light in their eyes? Tell me, do you know anyone who would say no to all of this?
When we can rest assured in the promise of Romans 8:28, we find the key to trusting and not fretting--we will look at that tomorrow.
Have a wonderful Tuesday,
Love,
Dianne
(link to yesterday's post)
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. Romans 8:28 |
This verse is incredibly comforting.
This verse should be incredibly comforting, but there are conditions--
God doesn't say that "all things work for everybody's good."
The conditional clause contains the phrase
"to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
One could spend many hours, days, months studying all the ramifications of this phrase but a simple study reveals this:
John 14:15- from Matthew 28-- 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” |
Here is where the rubber meets the road--
Satan tries to discourage us with thoughts of:
"You will never be able to keep your part of this verse."
"You cannot love your neighbor as yourself."
"You cannot love God as you ought."
Satan does not want us to take comfort in that verse so he does everything in his power to pour guilt trip after guilt trip, condemnation, and every other negative thing he can think of--on us. He heaps it on--
And we can't do those things--we are powerless in ourselves.
But God's precious Holy Spirit can do it through us.
But I am getting ahead of myself. Let's back up just a bit to yesterday's post and the part about our hearts.
Remember--
| |||
So this brings us back to an examination of our hearts--
What does God see when He looks on our hearts--
We will make mistakes, we are human--God knew that we are "dust."
For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippianns 2:13 |
So now that we know "it is not us but God working through us" that accomplishes the conditional part of the verse, we can relax and dwell on "letting Him do it."
Satan tries to deceive us and make us think that following God's laws and commandments are a drudgery and something impossible--but actually it is just the opposite and brings so much joy.
(To follow God's laws and precepts, we have to know them)
When we really grasp this in our minds, in our hearts, in our very being, then studying His Word, spending time alone with Him, seeking Him and a close intimate relationship with Him becomes a complete joy--
Just listen to these verses from Psalm 119 speaking of God's laws--
This is what following God's laws will accomplish:
from Psalm 119 |
See what a liar satan is--
He tries to make us believe following God's precepts is an impossible, drudge-laden thing.
God tells us just the opposite--who wouldn't want their soul refreshed, or to become wise, have a joy-filled heart or light in their eyes? Tell me, do you know anyone who would say no to all of this?
When we can rest assured in the promise of Romans 8:28, we find the key to trusting and not fretting--we will look at that tomorrow.
Have a wonderful Tuesday,
Love,
Dianne
