Remember how Romans 8:28 assures us that "All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose?" Two biblical examples of this very thing come to mind:
First, when the Apostle Paul heard of some basic no-no's happening among the Christians in Corinth, he wrote a letter to chastise them. Eventually, however, he tried another approach, and by Chapter 13 of First Corinthians, he gave us one of the most profound treatices ever written on the true meaning of love. That "Love Chapter" as it's often called, provides a way to assess our attitudes and actions, but would we have been given such a beautiful, poetic definition of love if the Corinthians had not been behaving so badly?
Then, in the book of Revelation, the Apostle John wrote down the vision the Risen Christ had given to correct and encourage the seven churches - lauds and warnings that still apply today. When it came to Laodicea, the last church mentioned, the Lord sharply rebuked them, saying they were neither hot nor cold, but so lukewarm in their fath that He was ready to spit them out of His mouth. Or, as some translations suggest, they made the Lord Christ want to vomit!
And yet....
After explaining what the Laodiceans lacked, Jesus let them know He only chastises those He loves. And, in verse 20, He offered up an often-quoted invitation that would not have been needed if the Christians in Laodicea had already been strong in faith. Jesus said, "Behold! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in, and we will dine together."
Surely, the Lord would rather not fuss at us! Yet, it's a blessing to know He wants to turn our mistakes, bad attitudes, and poor choices into something good. Praise God! He can!
(c) 2024, Mary Harwell Sayler
2 comments:
So true, Mary. God means our bad situations for good.
Hard to remember sometimes in the middle of it
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