“I Love 828” ~ ✨
Romans 8:28 – “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.” is a famous verse in the eighth chapter, and this chapter gives us wisdom that serves as the “finishing touch” in the edification of Christians. The reason is that the message contained in Romans 8 reflects 2 Timothy 3:16–17: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” In other words, Christians are to be made complete in God’s sight, so that God may be glorified through the good conduct of the sons and daughters He has adopted.
This entire message breaks down the meaning of “love” as described here into three points:
1. We know
2. This is a promise from God
3. This promise is given to those who love God
First point, “We know”: This refers to those who have heard the Word and through it come to faith. True Christians have been born again; they willingly take up their cross and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.
Second point, a promise from God with three characteristics:
1. A heavenly promise – This is something never heard of or seen from ancient times, no God besides You who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him (Isaiah 64:4).
2. A clearly defined promise – “In all things God works for good” means all things, including those we do not want or like. We often pray for blessings and grace, asking for the avoidance of hardship and pain, yet we are unwilling to accept the testing of suffering. Scripture (Romans 8:17) says, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.”
3. A promise displaying God’s great power – trials and testing produces perseverance in us; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame. If we trust God completely, even in the midst of suffering, we will rejoice—because the indwelling Holy Spirit pours out God’s love into our hearts (Romans 5:3–5). Moreover, we know that no pain, no gain; this is all for the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). If we suffer because of our own sin, that is not suffering for the Lord. If believers do not share in Christ’s sufferings, they will not receive the future reward of glory.
Third point, this promise is directed towards “those who love God”: What does it mean to truly love God? Who are those who love Him?
The teaching of Scripture from the Old Testament to the New Testament is consistent. Here is one example from each:
Deuteronomy 7:9:
“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.”
John 14:21 –
The Lord Jesus says, “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
Who are those who love God? Do you love God? Do I love God? Who knows? Who can boast and say, “I love God!”?Whether we love God or not is not determined by man himself, but by God. If anyone loves God, they are known by God (1 Corinthians 8:3).
Those who love God will surely receive God’s blessing and protection, for it is written (1 Corinthians 2:9): “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived—the things God has prepared for those who love Him.”
The promise in Psalm 145:20 is clear: The LORD watches over all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.
I will close this sharing with Psalm 91:
He will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly plague. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
You will only look with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place—the Most High, who is my refuge—
No harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honour him.
With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
May we grow daily in the grace and knowledge of our Lord!
✨✨💖 ~
en yan hua fang 