Friday, November 23, 2007
His Ultimate Purpose
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
—Romans 8:28
We must remember that God never tests us without a purpose or a reason. You might wonder, Why does God allow His children to go through these trials? The answer is God’s ultimate purpose is that we might be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ.
There are many times in our lives when we will go through trials, and things will work out really well. That’s when we love to quote Romans 8:28: “All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Many things that make no sense at the time will work out in the end.
A classic example of this is Joseph. Talk about things really going wrong! Joseph went out to visit his brothers on an errand for his father and the next thing he knew, he was sold as a slave. But with God’s providence, he was elevated to a position of great authority. He was able to help his brothers and his father and do much good.
Another reason God allows trials is so we will become strong spiritually. James 1:2–3 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” Different translations say that testing produces “heroic endurance” or “fortitude.” James meant that trials will toughen us up and give us staying power. God wants iron to enter our souls.
Temptation can be endured and overcome. Remember that God’s ultimate purpose in allowing trials in our lives is so that we might be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ.
For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Bible text from the New King James Version is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Attn: Bible Rights and Permissions,