For a Reason


Ever heard someone repeat this old cliché?
"Everything happens for a reason."
I am sure that you have. Last month I kicked this old cliché around with a few guys at Barnes and Noble over a latte. Thought about it today when I saw this cartoon and I remembered this passage of scripture:

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 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. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; (Romans 8:26-29)

There are a few things that I see about God's will in this passage:
  • In our weakness and struggles the Holy Spirit intercedes for us so that God's will is acomplished in our lives.
  • While He does not cause all things to happen, God causes all things to work together for our good so that His will is accomplished in our lives.
  • His will for our lives is to be conformed to the image of Jesus.
I guess what I am seeing in this passage is that the reason that things happen is to make us like Jesus. That image of Jesus is encapsulated in these verses:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)
When difficult times and events come we can be sure that God is causing those things to make us loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled. In reality, pain and struggle.. either our own or that of others.. are often the only things that will cause spiritual fruit to manifest in us.. maybe that is part the reason that things happen.

4 comments:

  1. karenSunday, September 21, 2008 4:45:00 PM

    That's an amen, brother.

    ReplyDelete
  2. shaunSunday, September 21, 2008 8:13:00 PM

    Bob,
    I always Remind myself of
    Rom.8:28. I also believe that it is very often those difficult things in our lives that cause us to grow. I know it is for me. If nothing ever went wrong I would probably never grow and I would never have to recite that verse over and over to myself.
    I'm sure you lean on that knowledge at times too Brother.
    Peace

    ReplyDelete
  3. SusanMonday, September 22, 2008 8:37:00 AM

    .. are often the only things that will cause spiritual fruit to manifest in our lives.. perhaps that is part the reason that some things happen.

    I've seen this over and over again, not only in my own life but in the lives of others. God's plan is untimately to conform us to the image of Christ and the molding of us takes that fire to burn off the dross. Praise God He loves us that much!!!!
    Susan

    ReplyDelete
  4. jrchaardMonday, September 22, 2008 8:42:00 AM

    in our weakness, he is glorified. Great scripture Bob to tie that whole discussion together. Everything happens for a reason so that we can turn to the scripture to find out why.

    But now the next discussion should be around predestination.

    ReplyDelete

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