Called According to His Purpose

I'm sure many of us can quote Romans 8:28 regarding God working all things together for good who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

There are other Scriptures too, that show and tell us that we are not our own - we've been bought with a price - the Holy Spirit in us yearns with jealousy (we all know that God is holy in that statement), and that He works ALL things after the counsel of His will.

It takes a lifetime to realize the depth of many of these simple realities.  The measure of the depth of God's Word is a progressive deepening, by a lifetime of seeking the Lord's Truth in every aspect, with Him as the Teacher.

For me, "according to His purpose," has become even more precious to my heart as I realize that it has indeed, taken a lifetime for me to come to a greater understanding of Christ.  It comforts my heart to know that God's work in me, and in us, is according to His purpose, and not something of our own making.

This is why He does and can work all things together for good.  How many of us have experienced striving, not only in our Christian walk, but also in ministry.  I have.

But to come to His rest, knowing that God, from eternity past, has His purpose for our lives, according to His grace, is again, a great comfort.  It's not by earning or merit, but purely God working in us, both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

Paul is a perfect example.  He began every epistle stating he was an apostle by the will of God - that He was chosen by God to bring forth His message of the Gospel - also, chosen that God would bring forth His Son in him - being formed in him in all of his life.

He had to take Paul and literally "undo" Phariseeism, flesly privileges and self-righteousness, and bring him into the awesome revelation of Christ, His work (finished too), and Who He is and is for all eternity.

This is what God does in all of us too - none of us are up to the task of really doing God's work in and by fleshly training.  No, we all need a revelation of Jesus Christ dwelling in our hearts.  God takes us all through His training, and we realize His purpose in us solely by the grace of God.

God indeed has His purpose, His plan.  Corporately speaking, we are all to know the glorious meaning of being members of the Lord's body, His church.  Then invidiually, God calls us to His work and purpose to be able to speak of the Gospel and of His Son in a very mature and real way.

Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift (Jesus!) and for working in us, all according to His purpose!