City Life Starter

I. The Word: Romans 8:28-32

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.

29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Reflection Questions:

1. Can you think of specific examples in your own life where things seemed to go completely wrong? What did you learn about God’s character?
2. What did all things mean to you prior to reading this text?
3. What is the ultimate goal of the working of “all things” for those who love God?

Most Cubs fans thought 2003 was the year the team would win the pennant that would finally break the “curse”  that had plagued the organization for so long. The Cubs were up 3-0 in the eight inning of Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, holding a three games to two lead in the best of seven series. In a heartbreaking turn of events, a spectator named Steve Bartman interfered with a live ball and changed the momentum of the game and, some would say, ultimately cost the Cubs the pennant.

13 years later, the Chicago Cubs finally won the World Series after a long 108 year drought.  One of the first things the organization did after winning the World Series was to invite Steve Bartman to celebrate with the team.  What a redemptive moment for this guy who was hated by so many!

How does the story of Steve Bartman relate to today’s passage? Well, sin brought a curse on us and separated us from God. Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection opened the door for you and I to have fellowship with the Father for all eternity.  The curse that had plagued humanity was lifted and, as a result, “those who love God” get an invitation to eventually be glorified with God forever, even though we didn’t deserve it!

So, in the case of Steve Bartman, an awfully embarrassing event eventually led to him celebrating the World Series with the Cubs. Something similar happens for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. “All things” means good things and bad things and …well…all things.  I remember when my wife was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica and, within a 72 hour period, we were faced with the possibility of her never walking again or worse passing away if the disease continued to spread. During this earth shattering experience, a situation most would explain as a “bad thing”, we both came to the conclusion that God was good and that this situation was working together for good. What caused us to come to that conclusion? Was it because He prevented that situation from occurring? Was it because my wife was eventually completely healed? No, there was no specific action from God that led us to that response. We simply realized that God was good no matter what was going on in our lives whether good or bad.

We clearly saw the work taking place in our hearts of what it meant for all things working together for good because we loved God.  As a result, we knew that we were predestined to be conformed into the image of his Son and the way that occurs on a very practical level is persevering through these “things”.  Having that mindset of regardless of what we face in life – that God intends it for our good in order to conform us into the image of his Son – should leave  us speechless because it means there is nothing that God will withhold from us.  That’s exactly what Paul says next.  What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

My prayer is that in all things, good and bad, we would allow God to use them to conform us into the image of his Son so that we may be eventually glorified with Him in heaven.