A Real Roadmap

Every Christian has heard this verse:

"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." Rom. 8:28

It is a verse of promise. But, it is also a verse of definition. It defines the group of people that will receive the result of "all good things" working "together for good." That group of people is comprised of two criteria: "them that love God" and "them who are called (according to His purpose)." This does NOT mean that there are two doors to enter into the group. It shows that this group is made up of folks that fulfill both statements.

Now, it's pretty easy to see if the first part applies. You either love God or you don't. Simple. And, how do we know we love God?

"Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." 1 John 4:15-16

So, the short form answer is, we confess that Jesus is the Son of God, which proves God is in us, which means that (with God being love perfectly expressed and embodied) love is in us, which is shown to God. Wow, maybe that wasn't all that simple to say.

The second part asks, how do we know we are called?

"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." Rom. 8:29-39

Now, there's a list that's a few feet long. Now, anyone can go out and get the definitions of each of those words. I'm going to do something a bit different. I'm going to try to show where each of those words might fit in while doing a little something.

• Foreknow

A person is holding an archery bow in their hand. They wish to shoot a target. They know that there is an arrow available, having made one earlier that day. Therefore, they displayed foreknowledge in that they made and knew the location of that arrow.

• Predestinate

The archer decides to use that arrow that was foreknown to be the arrow with which to hit the target. He is already thinking of how he will load and notch the arrow, what kind of shot to set up...even what he expects the hit to look like. We might think of it as planning ahead, but it is predestination.

• Called

Now, the archer makes the efforts to reach out to the arrow, and to put it into a position where it can be of use. He applies the notching and alignment. He pulls the string back and takes aim. All of these efforts that are performed by the archer could be considered as part of the arrow's calling.

• Justified

A pretty good description of what justification is states that it is the opposite of condemnation. It is the act of a judge when he tells a defendant that they are in perfect compliance with the law. In our archery example, it is the moment the arrow is release, sent speeding on it's way to the target. It is no longer just another gravity-bound object, but it is now energized, targeted and working toward it's assigned goal. It's purpose is now justified by the actions of the archer.

• Glorified

Glorification is the completion, consummation or realization of the process of salvation. The moment that arrow pierces the target, it has fulfilled it's purpose. In the same vein, the moment that we are saved, all of the efforts that God has taken on our behalf are complete, just as our salvation is complete. We go on from that point to live a new, born again, spirit-led life.

Everything will work out to the benefit of those people that love God and are called by God. And this is the powerful statement of the first verse we looked at above.

But, I would be remiss if I failed to point out a couple of things.

Isn't it amazing that the first requirement of the group above, to love God, could only be accomplished because, "We love him, because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19?

Isn't it interesting that, in the story of the archer, at no time did the arrow decide to create itself. It never evolved from a tree. It was made by the archer. It never chose it's destiny. It's existance was as the archer allowed. It was called according to the archer's purpose. It was aimed, empowered, sent out on it's way all through the actions of the archer. Yet, it was given recognizition for hitting the target.

(One would think ANY arrow could see where the glory and praise should go for making it to the target.)

God Almighty and the Lord Jesus Christ does everything for us. They have covered us since before the beginning, and will continue to do so way beyond the ending. Is it any wonder that the next verse says,

"What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?" Rom. 8:31

Grace and Peace....