"The Redemption That Comes all at Once, Then a Little Later, and Then at The End."

Romans 8:26-29

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

"The Redemption that comes all at once, then a little later, and then at the end."

Greetings NewDay, and happy Friday. This Sunday we'll be exploring God's active redeeming work in our lives. In Romans 8:26-39, we catch a glimpse of God's intention to offer his redemption and kindness in our times of need and sorrow. In preparation for this Sunday, please read Romans 8:26-39 and recall those moments where you have felt redemption in your time of need or sorrow.

But when you get to verse 28, I learned a few years ago that, given the context of the verse and the point that the Apostle Paul is trying to make to the church, we should perhaps translate verse 28 as "God makes all things work together for good with those who love him." So, adapting verse 28 from the NIV, read the text this way:

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

And we know that God makes all things work together for good with those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

As you recall God's redemption in your life and in the lives of others, come this Sunday with a heart of gratitude for the ways you have been invited to be a participant in God's redemption with creativity, kindness, and grace.

Peace to all of you, and I look forward to seeing you this Sunday.
-Zach