All Things for Good?
Read Romans 8:28-30
In the early church the Christians suffered greatly under emperor Nero and the Roman Empire. Paul’s response to that suffering, God is working it all out for good for those who love him. Not only that, but God choose them before time began to be in his family so that they could be conformed into the image of Christ, and one day be fully glorified with him in heaven. In our times of struggle, doubt, or hardship we must remember, God loved and choose us first. If that is true, if he planned all of that from eternity past just so we could be in his family as his redeemed children, then maybe we can trust him through whatever this world throws at us.
- When we think of good things in this world, being made holy might not be the first thing that comes to mind. Why is God conforming us to the image of Christ the answer to how he is working out all things for good?
- We can get hung up on words like foreknew and predestined (verse 29-30), but overall what do you think God (through Paul) was trying to communicate to these suffering first century Christians in Rome?
- How can the fact that God choose you, predestined you, foreknew you and called you bring you hope and peace in your everyday life?
- How do you want to take the truths found in this passage with you in your life this week?