Title: Romans 08:28-30 God's Effective Call
Contents
God's Effective Call (Romans 8:28-30)
First, let's understand the words connected with "...we do not know how to pray...(verse 26)" and "we know...(28)" in the text. How are the two statements reconciled?
It is true that Christians are perplexed and do not know what to pray as they should. That is, we do not know everything. But it nevertheless shows that there is a common (universal) knowledge that all Christians deserve and know for sure. That is, all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (verse 28).
We do not fully understand God and His work, and we do not fully understand God's way of dealing with His people. In other words, we cannot fully understand the heart of God. But we know the ultimate purpose of God's work, and we also know that it can never fail. Therefore, it is an inevitable fact (truth) that everything that happens in the course of history must be a tool to work together and achieve good for his people.
We should be able to apply this to our lives.
As individuals, we can fail at certain things. But nevertheless, the ultimate victory is ours and we have no choice but to win.
Here we should be able to learn the providence of God in dealing with the people of the old age (Old Testament).
He saved them free (exodus) - When the people did not act worthy of their calling - He raised up enemies for them - They suffered greatly, and they complained because they did not understand why God was doing it - But the Bible The truth of this teaching is that it was God's mysterious providence to do good for his people (see Psalm 91: ; Deut. 32:9-12; Zech. 2:6-13).
Tribulation and trials are painful, but through them, God reveals Himself and makes Him known, so that we can come to know Him more deeply than before.
(1) David - commits adultery and murder - When his sins are pointed out, he makes excuses and does not rationalize them - Suffers because of it - His confession "Before I was afflicted, I went astray... I have learned Your statutes” (Psalm 117:67-71).
(2) Job's sufferings - After the trials, he became more mature (James 5:11).
(3) Apostle Paul - Allowing the thorn in the flesh, that is, the angel of Satan - Learning God's providence in pain and suffering (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
(4) The consistent testimony of the saints in church history is that they knew God through trials and tribulations more deeply than they knew God before.
Since there are only two mankind before God (Adam, Jesus Christ), all mankind is either in Adam or in Jesus Christ. And God cannot be known through the flesh that belongs to Adam, and the thought of the flesh itself is the enemy of God (Romans 8:7, 1 Corinthians 2:9). Therefore, mankind can only be divided into those who love God and those who hate God.
Love is not theoretical, nor does it belong to any part of the personality (intellectual consent, emotional feeling). Love is real and whole. It means the earnest desire to please God, the desire to live for His glory, and the desire to keep His commandments (John 14:21, 1 John 2:2-6, 3:23, 4:20-21, 5: 3). And the evidence of our love for God is our response to trials and tribulations.
We love God because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). Only those who are called according to His purpose cannot love God (verse 28). Therefore, to love God is a natural phenomenon of those who are called according to God's will.
God's calling is divided into (1) general (universal) calling and (2) effective (effective) calling. In other words, although the gospel of God is universal in that it is preached to all mankind, it is effective in that all mankind who hears the gospel do not respond equally (Matthew 22:14, Acts 17:30).
He ordained - called - justified - glorified (Romans 8:30). And you should know that the New Testament epistles are sent to those who have an effective calling (2 Tim. 1:9, Ephesians 4:1, Jude 1).
A Christian called by God is a person who cannot understand himself. Because I did not become what I am, but because it is irresistible... So I confess that I am what I am by the grace of God. Being caught by Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:12) and being intervened by God is because we were called according to His will. He cannot be happy in a world of sin. Realizing that the Word of God is the truth (a consciousness of condemnation), he rather lives a life of struggle with sin.
They long for spiritual milk (1 Peter 2:2), realize their calling through the word of truth, and come to know Jesus Christ and his salvation. I know and believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. It is to receive the apostle's teachings, to experience spiritual experiences with the assurance of salvation, and to know that all things can work together for good by being bound by his love.
If we are called according to God's will, then everything that happens to us is bound to be used for our good. Because God's creation works according to God's will, and everything in creation is just a means to accomplish God's purpose...
This is the truth for God's people, the evidence of the assurance of salvation, and the doctrine for those who are effectively called. Therefore, it is impossible to receive this unless one has an effective calling. It is against their taste and hates them. It should also be understood, therefore, that this should not be quarreled with unbelievers. Because it is impossible to generalize something special...
The text (part of the Bible) should be understood from the historical background to comfort the saints who are suffering and trials, and should be interpreted in light of the light of the entire Bible. Understanding is not the right way to interpret the Bible.
The apostle focuses on making sure that ultimate salvation is certain to those in God's effective calling, and that present events are part of that salvation. So, if we are in God's plan and in His will, then nothing can be against us.
If all things do not work together for good, then God's plan and purpose cannot be accomplished on this earth.