Romans 8:28 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. I. TO THE SPIRIT OF THEIR LIFE. "They love God." This is not a passing sentiment such as exists in the hearts of most, but a permanently predominating force. It is — 1. The love of gratitude, awakened by the contemplation of God's wonderful favours. 2. The love of esteem, awakened by the view of His moral excellencies. 3. The love of benevolence, awakened by a belief in the universal goodness of His purposes. In relation to man these may exist separately. We may feel gratitude where we cannot esteem, etc. But in relation to God it takes these three forms. His favours are infinite, His character perfect, His purposes only good, therefore these forms are supreme. Love thanks Him for what He has done, adores Him for what He is, wishes Him well for what He is pursuing. II. TO THE CONDUCT OF GOD. 1. He has called them to love — not by force. Love cannot come by commands and penalties. He calls men to love by exhibiting the lovable in Himself — His mercies, perfection, benevolence; to awaken gratitude, esteem and goodwill. This He does — (1) In the phenomena of nature. How lovable God appears in the forms and operations of the universe. (2) In the dispensations of life. In all temporal events from the cradle to the grave God commands our affections. (3) In the life of Christ. Here we have His kindness, perfections, benevolent designs. 2. He has called them to love according to His purpose. God does not act fitfully, or by caprice. From the beginning He purposed that His intelligent creatures should love Him. All the arrangements of nature, the machinery of His government, the revelations of Himself show this. The gospel is his especial call to man as a sinner to love Him: and how exquisitely adapted it is to generate affection in depraved souls. III. TO THE WORKINGS OF PROVIDENCE. 1. All things — (1) Work. (2) Harmoniously. (3) For good. (4) For the good of the good. 2. This "we know" — (1) From a priori reasoning. On the assumption that the Creator is benevolent, we are bound to conclude that He will direct all to the happiness of them that love Him. It is ever the instinct of His creatures to seek the happiness of those that love them. (2) From the arrangement of the universe. Does not the exquisite adaptation of outward nature to minister to our animal senses, physical wants, desire for knowledge, and love of the beautiful show that the Creator intended to make His moral creatures happy? (3) From the special provisions of the gospel. Here is pardon, purity, knowledge, consolation, holy fellowship, and a blessed paradise. (4) From the operation of the affections. Love to God — (a) Put the soul into harmony with the universe. The soul destitute of love to God is in antagonism to the whole system of nature. (b) Enables the soul happily to appropriate the universe. (5) From the biography of the good. Joseph, David, Daniel, Paul. (6) From the assurances of God's Word. (D. Thomas, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
    |