by Pastor Steve Ellison
Pestilence brings many questions. COVID-19 has brought to light many of the most important questions that have ever been asked and that could possibly be asked. Who caused COVID-19 and other viruses? I will not attempt to answer that question here except to say that God is not the author of evil and that humans really do a poor job of defining evil. What good could possibly come from COVID-19 and other pestilence? Romans 8:26-39 sheds light on this all-important question.
The passage begins by reminding us that we have an indispensable aid in the person of the Holy Spirit. Do not neglect to avail yourself of the Holy Spirit’s help in this and every matter. Romans 8:28 is a very familiar and much misinterpreted verse, “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (NASU) Read properly and especially in context, this verse generates difficult questions about me and others. How is this thing that I view as bad, working together for my good? Do I love God? Am I called according to His purpose? The answers could not be more important. Perhaps the answers will be painful to face, but face them we must. God has spoken fully and completely in the Bible. You will find the answers there.
The passage continues, “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.” (v.29-30, NASU) Clearly, the point here is to define exactly what is meant by God causing all things to work together for good. I see no mention of my comfort, safety, or happiness. What I do see is that which will bring joy which supersedes those three concerns. “The good” is being conformed to the image of Christ which will one day be concluded in joining Christ the firstborn in the resurrection from the dead. Future glorification is part of the promise. Saved from the penalty of sin, saved from bondage to sin, and saved from the very presence of sin is part of the package also. How certain is this declaration from God?
The passage answers, “If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (v.31b-35, NASU) If the triune Godhead, delivered the Son to Incarnation and Crucifixion, is there any possibility that God will neglect to complete the transaction? Certainly not! God will complete the good work He has begun in you. If you love God and are called according to His purpose, there is nothing that can separate you from Him or thwart His purpose in you and for you. Tribulation cannot, persecution, famine, war, and COVID-19 cannot. I implore you to let the Bible search you and try you to see if you pass the disclaimer at the beginning of the passage. Is there concrete evidence that you love God? Is there tangible evidence that you are called according to His purpose?
