What If…?

 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution,  or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? Romans 8:35

 

Do you ask “what if” questions?

You know, what if….

• we don’t have the money when it’s time to pay the bill?
• our helpful neighbors move?
• I don’t get that job?
• I’m a bad parent?
• I can’t juggle everything?
• they leave?
• I do a bad job?
• abortion is never outlawed?
• Fill in the blank with your own fear.

Giving up things we want is hard. Failing at something (especially if anyone sees it) is hard. Not seeing our nation bow their knee to the Lord is hard. Friends and neighbors moving away is hard. Disappointing others is hard.

But, “what if” we were to look at each one of these things as an act of God? And, what if we truly believed and acted on the belief that everything that God does is for our ultimate good?

We love to quote Romans 8:28 which says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (ESV)

But, do we believe it? Will God take the difficult things of life and work them together for the good of the one He has called?

I believe that for “the one who loves God,” He will. Jesus defines what it looks like for us to love Him. In John 14:15 He says that if you love Him “you will keep His commandments.” Obedience brings blessings.

The sovereignty of God is a doctrine most Christians would say they believe. But, when it comes to the circumstances and happenings in our own lives, we fail to trust God or His Word. Rather, we approach Him with an attitude of blame (and if He is Sovereign- then it follows that He is responsible – or at  least He did not prevent the circumstances from arising). Sometimes the attitude is more of a rebellious one, as if God owes us something wonderful so we can respond as we choose if He does not provide the “wonderful” we were expecting.

The sovereignty of God is a key doctrine for the spiritual health of a Christian. If He is not Ruler over all then we have elected ourselves to take His place and decide how to respond to life on our own terms.

If we say He is sovereign, then we must worship and follow Him as if He is the all-knowing, most holy, God who has all the answers to the circumstances of all of life.

So,

• What if we would not blame God?
• What if we ask Him what it is He wants to accomplish in our lives through the circumstances He brings?
• What if we would worship Him and offer thanksgiving in every circumstance because we trust Him and His Word?

His Word says that He rules over all. Does He rule over every area of our lives?

 

 

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