A Catechism on Romans 8:28
by R. Ostella
1A. God has a purpose (of providential care)
1B. What is meant by God's purpose?
It refers to His counsel, His decree, His blueprint, His plan.
2B. What is included in God's purpose?
Everything (Eph. 1:11). God has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time. This includes eve the evil actions of men. Thus a man cannot even vent his wrath against God unless God decided beforehand to permit it (cf. Ps. 76:10). God foreordained the wicked acts of Jacob's sons for Joseph's good (Gen. 50:20). The wicked slaying of Jesus was what God predestined to occur (Acts 4:28). God who created all things therefore controls all things as Sabbath-King. He permits and controls wickedness in history according to His good pleasure.
3B. Why do all things work together for good to God's people? Because God works it so after the pattern of His blueprint. This working activity is referred to as God's providence.
2A. God's people have a special place in His purpose
1B. Who are God's people?
Those who love God. Those who are called.
1C. What does it mean to love God?
It is a whole-hearted and industrious affection for God as my King (Watson).
1D. It is a whole-hearted affection.
Love involves the choice of God over and above all earthly things (Matt. 6:24).
2D. It is an industrious affection.
Watson: Love involves serving our master with heads studying, hands working, and feet running in the ways of God's commandments (Jn. 14:15).
2C. What is meant by the calling of God?
1D. It is an action of God which cuts against every action of man as the cause in any sense of man's salvation (Rom. 9:11).
2D. It is an action of God which gives life where there was no life (Rom. 4:17).
3D. It is an action of God that effects the transition of a sinner from alienation to fellowship, which is from death to life and from unbelief to belief (1 Cor. 1:9).
4D. It is a creative summons, creating light in the heart by divine command (2 Cor. 4:6).
5D. It is parallel with the divine action of the new birth which explains the transition from hating Christ to receiving Christ:
former condition……………... Jn. 3:19-29; 1:5, 10-11
new condition………………… Jn. 3:21; 1:12
explanation of the transition….. Jn. 1:13; 8:47, 42; 1 Jn. 4:19
2B. What is the security of God's people?
1C. Their security is so sure that everything that befalls them in life is for their good because it is so worked by the wisdom and power of God on their behalf (cf. Rom. 8:28 with Eph. 1:11).
2C. Their security is so sure that nothing can separate them f rom the love of God (Rom. 8:35-39).
3C. Their security is so sure that they have the safety of their whole existence, body and soul, before God's judgment forever (Matt. 6:25; Rom. 8:33).
4C. Their security is so sure that their glorification is a settled, determined issue with God (Rom. 8:30). He determines to take them all the way to glory just as effectually as He introduced them to Christ by His creative summons (2 Cor. 4:6; 1 Cor. 1:8-9).
3B. To whom is this security promised?
It is promised to those who make the choice of love for God in turning away from themselves to serve Him in everything as a slave (Matt. 6:24). It is promised to those to whom God has introduced Himself by His call and who thus know Him being known by Him (Matt. 11:27, Jesus chooses those to whom He will reveal the Father; Gal. 4:9, those who know God are for clarity said to be known of God).
3A. Duty arises from the promise of providence
1B. How does duty arise from the promise of Romans 8:28?
In the context providence is cited as a support to us in suffering, particularly the suffering due to sin remaining in us. Therefore, the promise is that all things are being worked for our good in the conflict with sin (cf. 8:12f.).
2B. What is the scope of our duty based on Romans 8:28?
The scope of our duty must be as broad as the scope of God's working. Since He works for our good in all things, then our duty relates to everything that befalls us in the course of our lives and, of course, it relates particularly to the various forms of suffering we experience due to our own sins and due to the sins of others.
3B. What example prayer focuses the duty that arises from Romans 8:28?
May we fall down before the majesty of our God in humble gratitude for His working on our behalf in all things. May we work as He works, in all things for good. May we work for Him and rest at peace in His strong embrace.