Comfort or Call to Action?

The last two posts have mentioned the comfort (and confidence) given to believers by the promises in verses like Romans 8 : 28.

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]

Interestingly, the sentence structure of this verse in the Greek is not really clear.
The above ESV translation, and many others, translate on the assumption that "all things" is the subject of the sentence, so that the "all things" are what work for good for those who love the Lord.

However, it is quite possible that "God" is the subject of this sentence, so that it is God who does the work.
The NIV nudges itself in that direction with:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
[NIV]

It is also possible that it is God and those who love Him is the subject and therefore are those who are working together for good.
The NIV offers this alternative in a footnote:

that in all things God works together with those who love him to bring about what is good—with those who have been called according to his purpose.

The Good News Bible and the Revised Standard Version offer this construction in the body of their translations.

We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.
[GNB]
We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.
[RSV]

So although our comforting version (where God works all things for our good) is by far the most popular English translation, it is possible that this verse is also calling us to work with God to achieve the good He has planned.

Which fits nicely with:

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
[Ephesians 2 : 10  NIV]

The question: Comfort or Call to Action?
I say: BOTH.

It's good to know that God has everything in hand for my good 

AND 

providing I am doing what God has called me to do, He will be working with me to see it achieved.

Blessings, Barry

Handling Life's Adversities

There are two verses I find helpful in handling the hardships and temptations of life. The first is:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
[Romans 8 : 28  NIV]

This verse is a great comfort and assurance for those who trust God in all areas of their lives.

We mentioned it in the previous post called "Go With the Flow - with Jesus".
So we'll look at the second verse.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
[1 Corinthians 10 : 13  NIV]

The first part of this verse assures us that God doesn't try to break us down, but to build us up.
Consequently our temptations are custom-designed for us, God ensuring that they never push us too far in doing their job in making us stronger.

But what about the second part of the verse?
Is it your experience that God always makes a way for you to escape your hardships?
That's not mine.

Nor does this part sound logical.
How can an 'escape' or a 'way out' enable us to endure something?

So I wonder if there is a better English translation of the Greek that is usually translated 'an escape' or 'a way out' so that it more closely matches our experience - and is more logical?

The Greek word involved is 'ékbasis' which means 'moving out from and to an outcome'.
It is used only once more in the Bible - in Hebrews 13 : 7.

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. [NIV]

'ékbasis' is here translated as 'outcome' - not a way out or moving out, but an outcome.

So let's use this translation, and tidy up the structure of the sentence a bit, in the second part of our Corinthians verse.

But when you are tempted, he will a provide an outcome also, so that you can endure it.

If we can trust that God has provided a custom-designed outcome for our circumstances, then we can endure it, even eagerly submit to it, as we look forward to seeing that outcome come to pass.

That's peace in adversity.
Blessings, Barry

Go With the Flow - with Jesus

Many of you know that I'm a bit of a Bible junkie.
I just love Bible study and exploring God's purposes and the plans He has chosen to achieve them.

However, for much of this year I have been diverted to a study of us - in particular, the heart, spirit and soul of us.
What are they, how do they interact with each other, how are they impacted when the Holy Spirit comes to live in us?
It's been a fascinating exploration.

But more recently I have returned to focus on God's plans and have commenced my fifth (?) study of the The Revelation, the last book in the Bible.
And loving it - learning and understanding a bit more on each time through.

Even so, when I take a step back and ask myself what value there is in such studies, I have to admit they are of little eternal worth.
Knowing the Bible inside out or being a scholarly theologian will mean nothing without a relationship with Jesus.

Last week I was discussing the current state of affairs in the world with one of my adult grandsons.
Eventually the topic of prophecy came up and the possibility that our current situation could be seen in the yet-to-be fulfilled prophecies of the Old and New Testaments.

But we finished the discussion agreeing that ...
If you're connected to Jesus then it won't matter what or how events and situations happen, because you'll travel through them in good company.

Our concluding slogan became, "Just stay connected to Jesus and go with the flow."

For believers, this is really good advice.
Also for believers ...
Be ready to share the good news about Jesus with not-yet believers as and when the Holy Spirit leads, so that the others God brings across our path whom He has chosen to become believers in this age will become connected to Jesus too.

"And this is life in the Age; that they may know you, the sole true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus the Anointed."
[John 17 : 3  DBH]

Blessings, Barry