6/8/19 

Romans 8:28 - 3

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 

There is in this verse no hope for humanity in general.  There is a specific identity for those who are guaranteed that “good” is their promise from this life.  And this good is experienced in their relationship with the Holy Spirit as explained in 8:13-14.

¹³ For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴ For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

This identity begins with the nature they received in their regeneration, the nature of a child of God.  It is the nature of a child to love his parent.

The nature and character which is described as loving God is found in believers alone.  This love is the same love which is the requirement of God’s Law.  So it is not strange that believers love God.  It is their nature and their discipline to have this identifying them.

There is a second part to this identity.  They are the elect according to the eternal counsels of God.  As it is stated here, this which is the “called according to His purpose”, is not a result but a cause.  If they love God, if all things are for their good, it is because it is the eternal purpose of God.

The good Father does not leave His child to wander and find his way willy-nilly.  He directs him in all his paths.  “As many as are led by the spirit of God are the sons of God”.  And all good is found under that leadership.­­