Romans 8:28 and Providence

[Deacon]

The Bible does not, it seems, promise that a person's life will form a discernible pattern, with a beginning, a middle and an end. Many lives are completely patternless or marked by tragedy; early promise may be cut off by serious illness or death. It would be completely false to Scripture to suppose that in order for people to be assured that the events of their lives are ordered by providence for a good end, they should be able to discern some overall pattern or 'story' in their lives. The pressing need to discern such a pattern can often lead to unnecessary frustration and heartache.
We can see from this how mistaken and misguided are those who teach that a well-ordered Christian life will be a happy life, or a prosperous life of a healthy life. A survey of the lives of the saintliest of the people of God provides no confirmation of such claims. There are no promises of God which guarantee any of this; and in fact there are teachings of Scripture which suggest that it is impossible to discern a pattern to the lives of believers.

Helm, Paul. The Providence of God (Contours of Christian Theology). InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL. 1994. p. 126.

Job 13:15
Daniel 3:16-18

Opinions?

Rob

 

[atpollard]

Opinions?

I generally agree, based on personal experience.

There are seasons that fill us with life and make us feel that the hand of God is upon us and we are both unstoppable and capable of anything He might ask.

There are seasons that break our hearts where even the burden of just existing seems unbearable.

There are seasons of tragedy where we have the power to laugh at our attackers … as if so petty a burden might turn our gaze from our Lord.

There are seasons where the burden crushes us to the point that we cannot help but wonder … “Is God really good?”

… and yet, no season has yet come or gone that was without purpose. Each season has both taught me something new, and transformed me in some way. For better or worse is beyond my ability to see clearly enough to know for sure … but the reality that I have been changed is unquestionable.

In each new season, the question remains the same … “Do you trust God?” … So long as the answer remains “Yes”, I know that I am His.

 

[Reformed]

The Bible does not, it seems, promise that a person's life will form a discernible pattern, with a beginning, a middle and an end. Many lives are completely patternless or marked by tragedy; early promise may be cut off by serious illness or death. It would be completely false to Scripture to suppose that in order for people to be assured that the events of their lives are ordered by providence for a good end, they should be able to discern some overall pattern or 'story' in their lives. The pressing need to discern such a pattern can often lead to unnecessary frustration and heartache.
We can see from this how mistaken and misguided are those who teach that a well-ordered Christian life will be a happy life, or a prosperous life of a healthy life. A survey of the lives of the saintliest of the people of God provides no confirmation of such claims. There are no promises of God which guarantee any of this; and in fact there are teachings of Scripture which suggest that it is impossible to discern a pattern to the lives of believers.

Helm, Paul. The Providence of God (Contours of Christian Theology). InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL. 1994. p. 126.

Job 13:15
Daniel 3:16-18

Opinions?

Rob

Perhaps a way to understand what "good" means in Romans 8:28 is to understand that it is the purpose of God. If God's purpose is accomplished then it is good. That purpose may be viewed as a moment in time or the totality of our life. Indeed, in verse 18 Paul writes, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." So, suffering is as much part of God's purpose as is blessing. In the life of the believer God's purpose for us leads to a crescendo in which we shall ultimately know the love of God in total perfection (v. 38).

 

[Deacon]

A retired missionary pastor from our church gave a heart-rending sermon one Sunday years ago.
He had returned from a long and mostly fruitless stay in Hungry, his family was falling away and upon returning home his wife was diagnosed and then died from cancer.

His message was on Romans 8. He struggled through the message saying God is good even in the midst of crushing tragedy and sorrow.

Rob

 

[kyredneck]

Job 13:15
Daniel 3:16-18

Opinions?

Ecclesiastes 9:11-12

 

[timf]

2Ti 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

There is a tendency with some Christians to paint a happy picture of Christianity (like a child's picture book). This tendency to create good feelings seems to elevate how one feels over truth.

The verse that says the disciples will know the truth and the truth will make them free may sound light and happy, but freedom and truth can bring intense pain. Just as "good" may also not be the same as enjoyable.

The world peddles "niceness" (the etymology means without thinking). When we embrace this, we become enemies of God (James 4:4)

 

[atpollard]

The pain of personal suffering and tragedy pales besides the crushing weight of watching helplessly as those you love suffer.

• A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. [Proverbs 17:22 CSB]
• A person's spirit can endure sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit? [Proverbs 18:14 CSB]

 

[Deacon]

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

Rob

 

[Dr. Bob]

The false mantra of the health-and-wealth Osteen brand of Christianity is that "something GOOD is going to happen to you". This makes anemic Christians who question their salvation or turn their backs on God as soon as a difficulty arises.

Lose job? Lose faith
Lose wealth? Lose faith
Lose health? Lose faith
Lose loved ones? Lose faith

Something "good" may be God's plan for you to suffer, languish, starve or die. Good for God's eternal purpose but not by society's standards