He Works for Good

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God. . . . Rom 8:28a KJV)

Some have used this verse to support the idea that every event or happening must be God’s will because it is for good. The verse does not say that. It says, all things work together for good.

Many evil things have happened in our fallen world—abuse, war, accidental death, crippling disease, distortion of personalities. None can be considered God’s handiwork. Human tragedy is never the will of God.

But the verse is a promise. When evil things do enter our lives—regardless of how difficult they may be—God can somehow bring them together so they work for our benefit if we look to Him and trust Him. They can even bring victory in the face of defeat or despair.

God is the great Creator. When tragedy strikes, He is at work—just as He is at work at any other time. No circumstance is so terrible that it is beyond His creative touch. He will even use it for good.

Originally published February 19, 1983.

Sound Doctrine

When people today use the word doctrine, they usually refers to specific concepts about truth and/or about God. Most Christians agree that doctrine based on Biblical teaching is important. We should examine our beliefs carefully—study them in light of God’s Word.

But a passage in Paul’s letter to Titus challenges our ideas about doctrine. Paul uses the word in a different context. He begins, You must teach . . . sound doctrine. (Titus 2:1 NIV) So far, so good. But the verses that follow indicate that his doctrine relates to lifestyle rather than concepts. For example, [T]each the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. (v. 2)

Paul continues with similar standards that are directed toward older women, then younger men and women, and then others. He concludes the segment of his letter with, For the grace of God . . . teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions. . . . (v. 11a,12a)

This doesn’t mean we should abandon doctrine as a belief system. It does mean we should expand the meaning to include applications. How do our beliefs affect our daily life? That is the true measure of doctrine.

Originally published May 6, 1983.