Verse for Jan. 19

Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

So what about now? We’re not in heaven yet, right? This verse applies to everyone who is a believer in Christ (the “we” at the beginning). This is true for all believers. It’s a certainty. We must always remember that God is sovereign and in control of everything, yet we are still responsible for all of our actions.

God is in control of every event in our lives. Whether it be great things like a new car or an A on a test, or horrible things like an illness or injury. Even temptations are part of that.
Every event in our lives is part of God’s plan to make us more like Jesus. We should view the positive events in our lives as gifts from God (James 1:17). We should view the negative events as platforms upon which greater humility can be produced in our lives (James 4:6).

The passage concludes with “according to his purpose.” I can’t help but think of Ephesians 2:8-10. Many people know verses eight and nine, which say “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” but we sometimes forget about verse 10, which says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
We were created to do good works. A genuine believer in Christ will live a life that honors Him and do good works. It’s not the works that save, or add to anything, but they are the result of having been saved.

God brings us to the point of doing good works and being sanctified (1 Peter 1:15) through the events and circumstances in our lives. We must always remember that everything that happens to us, as believers, is for our good and His glory.