DISCOURSE: 1877
ALL THINGS WORK FOR GOOD
Romans 8:28. We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
TRUE believers have the greatest encouragement to draw nigh to God; they have supernatural assistance when pouring out their hearts before him, and are assured by God himself that their prayers shall be heard; yet, sometimes, like the Israelites in Egypt, the more they renew their requests, the more they find their burthens increased [Note: Exodus 5:6-8.]: hence, like them, they are also sometimes ready to murmur and despond [Note: Exodus 5:20-21.]; but, by grace they are enabled to wait patiently the Lord’s leisure, and invariably, in the issue, the clouds which they so much dreaded, burst in blessings on their heads.
This St. Paul declares to be the experience of all true believers. In his words I wish you to notice,
I. The description he gives of true Christians—
Christians are sometimes described in the Scriptures by their regard for God, and sometimes by God’s regard for them. The text leads us to speak of them in both points of view:
1. Their regard to God—
[The “loving of God” is a character peculiar to true Christians: others are represented rather as “haters of God,” and enemies to him in their minds [Note: Romans 1:30; Colossians 1:21.]; but they who are partakers of his grace, have their natural enmity removed: they behold his excellency, and are sensible of their obligations to him: hence they love him, and strive to love him with their whole hearts.]
2. God’s regard for them—
[Their regard for him sprang not from any good dispositions in themselves; it resulted purely from the manifestations of God’s love to them: he formed “purposes” of love to them from all eternity [Note: Jeremiah 31:3.]. In due time he “called” them by his grace, and made them his people; and this distinguishing favour is the true source of their love to him. To this effect both our Lord and his beloved Apostle testify [Note: John 15:16; 1 John 4:19.]— To the eternal purposes of God, therefore, and not to the inclinations of our carnal minds, must all the good that is in us be traced.]
To persons of this description the Apostle announces,
II.
His strange yet assured confidence respecting them—
It is under sufferings that the superiority of the Christian’s state is to be seen to the greatest advantage. Of them the Apostle speaks; and declares that, of whatever kind they be, they shall work for the good of them that love God—
[The Christian may be called to bear the heaviest afflictions; but they shall bring him to consideration, stir him up to prayer, wean him from the world, and lead him to seek his rest above — — — He maybe assaulted also with the most distressing temptations; but these will shew him the evil of his heart, and the faithfulness of his God: they will also teach him to sympathize with his tempted brethren: even death itself will be among the number of the things that shall prove beneficial to him. This is the most formidable enemy to fallen man: it cuts him off from all means and opportunities of salvation, and seals him up under endless and irremediable misery; but to a true Christian it is a most-invaluable treasure [Note: 1 Corinthians 3:22.]. It puts a period to all his sorrows and temptations, and introduces him to the immediate, everlasting enjoyment of his God.]
Nor can we doubt of this blessed truth—
[The Apostle speaks of it not as a matter of conjecture, but of certainty: as he knew it, so may “we know” it, from the declarations and promises of God [Note: Psalms 25:10.]. Both David and Paul have attested it also from their own experience [Note: Psalms 119:71.Philippians 1:19.]: nor is there any Christian in whom it has not been realized. It is not however singly or separately that all things work for good, but as taken “together” in a collective view. Separately considered, many things may have wrought for evil, by producing sinful tempers or actions; but when viewed as connected with all their effects and consequences, the most untoward circumstances will be found to have wrought for good.]
This subject naturally suggests,
1.
A rule whereby to judge of God’s electing love—
[Our election of God can be known only by its effects [Note: 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5.]. To ascertain it, we must inquire whether we have been called by his grace, and whether, in consequence of that call, we love God supremely? If we experience these effects, we may safely conclude, that God has entertained eternal purposes of love towards us; but if we trace not these effects, our pretensions to an interest in his electing love is a fatal delusion. Let them, in whom these evidences are found, rejoice; but rejoice with trembling.]
2. A ground of comfort under his apparent frowns—
[Afflictions are not at the present joyous, but grievous; and because they are his rod, we are ready to say, “All these things are against me.” But the Scripture tells us, that “the trial of our faith is precious [Note: 1 Peter 1:7.].” Let the afflicted then consider what “good” may be accruing to them. Their troubles may be working so as to discover, prevent, punish, or destroy sin; — — — or they may be working to impart, exercise, strengthen, or perfect grace — — — What reason, in either case, have the afflicted to take comfort! We think little of inconveniences if they do but promote our temporal interest. Should we then be averse to any trials that may tend to our spiritual advantage? Let us wait to see “the end of the Lord,” and be solicitous rather about our future benefit, than our present ease.]
3. A motive to love and serve God with our whole hearts—
[Things are never represented as working for the good of the wicked; on the contrary, their temporal “blessings are often cursed” to them; yea, even spiritual blessings only aggravate their guilt and condemnation [Note: 2 Corinthians 2:16.]. Christ himself proves, not a Saviour, but a stumbling-block to them [Note: 1 Peter 2:7-8.]. But for God’s people, all things, sin excepted, work for good. Should they not then love him for such distinguishing mercy? Can they ever do enough for him, who so marvellously overrules all events for them?]