The Recipients of the Promise
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INTRO
This is not a universal promise to everybody but limited to a certain group of people. To these only do all things work together for good, to the rest all things work together for bad – Rom. 2:5.
I. THE RECIPIENTS OF THE PROMISE
A. LOVERS OF GOD - Human perspective.
1) all Christians love God, and only Christians love God.
1Cor. 2:9 but just as it is written, "Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him."
1Cor. 16:22 If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed. Maranatha.
Eph. 6:24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with a love incorruptible.
Why emphasis on the love of God and not faith?
2) love for God at its heart is a great esteem and affection for God because of His mercy and grace in saving us from our sin. This is the ROOT.
What is the FRUIT of love for God in our life?
a) desire greater fellowship with God, "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for Thee, O God" (Ps. 42:1);
b) seeks to always exalt the Lord as our greatest treasure and the only hope for mankind, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing" (Rev. 5:12);
c) love for the brethren, "the one who loves God should love his brother also" (1 Jn. 4:21),
d) love what God loves and hate what He hates, we love His Word, righteousness, goodness, and we hate sin and the world, "If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 Jn. 2:15);
e) love for God looks forward to being with God, "a crown of righteousness . . . for all who have loved His appearing" (2 Tim. 4:8).
f) obedience, "If you love Me you will keep My commandments,"
3) not all Christians will love God equally. Our love will also vacillate up and down. We will not love God as we should because of our remaining corruptions.
But let me also say that from a practical level, the more you love God the more this verse will comfort and bless your heart.
B. CALLED - God’s perspective.
1) Two calls:
a) General, Outward call. (Mt. 22:14).
b) Special, Efficacious, Inward call.
This call = IRRESISTIBLE GRACE (the "I" in TULIP).
ILLUSTRATION: Lk. 14:16-24.
PROOF: See Rom. 8:30; 9:23-24;1 Cor. 1:23-24; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; Jude 1; Rev. 17:14.
2) The purpose of God.
a) What is this purpose? Vv. 29-30 explains –
b) When was this purpose determined? 2Tim. 1:9 who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,
c) How certain is this purpose? Rom. 8:29-30 show just how certain this is in the golden chain of salvation. Cf. Job 42:2; Isa. 46:10-11; Jer. 4:28; Acts 4:28; Rom. 9:11; Eph. 1:11; Heb. 6:17.
CONCLUSION