"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28)
In today's passage, Paul is encouraging us that when we join with the Holy Spirit in intercession we can be confident that everything will work together for good. This is because God is a partner in our labor. As we work together, the Spirit intercedes for us and we release His power to operate on our behalf. Since this power works in accordance with God's will for our life, His will for his church and his will on the earth, we can rest assured that good will come out of it no matter what the circumstances are.
But notice that for good to result there is a few prerequisites to this statement. First of all Paul is tying this back to his previous statement about our active involvement in intercession with the Holy Spirit. When we pray, the Spirit intercedes for us, searches our hearts and makes supplication to God on our behalf. To do this is an act of faith, however reminding ourselves, when we pray, that all things work together for good helps will help us step out in faith and partner with the Holy Spirit making intercession.
Secondly, for all things to work together for good, we must love God. This wonderful promise does not extend to everyone. This amazing promise is for those who love God. Love is not a passive thing, love is an action. John reminded us to show our love, "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth" ( I John 3:18 ). Love is more than a feeling, love propels us to do as the Lord directs. Love is what drove God to send Jesus to die for us. So, in the same way, for all things to work together for good we must love God and be willing to go and do as he directs.
Lastly, for all things to work together for good, we must be called according to his purpose. No matter what circumstances come our way, God is able to make all grace abound. When we are operating in God's will then we can be confident that He will work it out in the midst of the situation. We can know what God's will is by finding this expression in His word. The Bible is full of His desire for you and for His church. We can also find God's specific will for your life by listening to the Holy Spirit. He will guide and direct you in all things. When we know and operate in this will then we can be confident in the good that will result.
We have been called into a wonderful partnership with the Lord. As His church we are His footprint in the world today. We have been commissioned and set apart for this specific purpose. We can know God's will for our lives and we can operate in accordance to that will through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we do this, we can constantly remind ourselves, "... that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" ( Romans 8:28 ). Today I praise God through Jesus that we have this sweet and precious promise to cling to in this midst of trials. I praise God that he partners with us to do wonderful works upon this earth. I am so thankful that God is able to bring about good in all things. May this revelation bless you today, Amen!
"And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will" (Romans 8:27)
Do you know what God's will for your life is? The Holy Spirit does, he is the one who actively intercedes for you so that God's will may be fulfilled in your life. He searches your heart and knows every intimate detail about you. David spoke of this in Psalms 139, "O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in-behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?" ( Psalm 139:1-7 ). David paints of wonderful picture of the intensity of God's love for you. He is engrossed with every detail of your life. So it is only fitting that the Holy Spirit who understands your heart and who knows the mind of God is the one to intercede for you in accordance with God's will.
God has a plan for your life. He created you for a purpose. The Holy Spirit is the one to speak to your spirit this plan. Paul advised us in today's passage that "he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." ( Romans 8:27 ). The Holy Spirit is the translation piece between our spirit and God's spirit. Being flesh and blood, the Holy Sprit helps us by interceding for us with groans and utterances that words cannot express ( Romans 8:26 ).
This is one of the amazing things that we as born again believers experience in life. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, who is fully God, to us to help us on this earth. He reminds us of everything that Jesus said and shows us the constant love of the father. He speaks these truths to our hearts so that we can experience boldness before God. This wasn't always the case, it is because of what Jesus did that we can have this kind of relationship with God. Jesus turn our connection with Him from an outside observer to intimate fellowship.
Jesus revealed an amazing truth to the women at the well, he told her, "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth" ( John 4:24 ). Up until this time worship was ritualistic following guidelines and rules. But Jesus expanded worship to include relationship and intimate knowledge of God. Being a spirit, we connect with God on an entirely different level than the patriarchs did. We connect with him spirit to spirit. This is why it is so important to understand office of the Holy Spirit. He helps our spirit communicate with God's Spirit in an uninhibited and unrestrained way.
The Holy Spirit knows God's will, he also knows our intent. So it is his job to take our heart and communicate that to God and take God's will and communicate that to our hearts, so that it will be fulfilled in us. The Amplified Bible puts it best, "And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the [Holy] Spirit [what His intent is], because the Spirit intercedes and pleads [before God] in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God's will" ( Romans 8:27 ). It is amazing to know that we have intercession before the Father who makes perfect our requests before him. It is wonderful to know that he knows our heart and God's heart and helps us in our weaknesses. It is encouraging to know that our prayers are not offered in limitation but carry the full power of God. Today may you find joy in understanding this tremendous truth, Amen!
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I’m passionate about Jesus, His Word, living in His grace, using technology and creating beautiful things. But mostly my passion is about spreading the gospel of Jesus to a world that needs Him.
I’m passionate about Jesus, His Word, living in His grace, using technology and creating beautiful things. But mostly my passion is about spreading the gospel of Jesus to a world that needs Him.
