A Comforting Knowledge

Paul, an apostle to the heathens, wrote in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” This is a comforting knowledge for God’s children. It is therefore an important lesson for each and every one to learn that “we love Him, because He first loved us.” They learn to love Him because of His goodness, longsuffering, and forbearance, and also because of the gift of His dear and only-begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ who was willing to merit salvation for them and to make the Father’s love experientially known.

The external calling is very important but it is not sufficient for salvation. The external calling in itself does not quicken the sinner into a state of grace but leaves Him outside of Christ. The internal calling is something entirely different. It is a powerful work of God the Holy Spirit, given freely in the hour of God’s good pleasure, by which the elected sinner is brought out from a state of spiritual death into a state of spiritual life and in communion with Christ, the Prince of life.

The true believer’s comfort is based upon the Person and power of Christ. He declares, “I am the First and the Last.” He is the everlasting God. He is the Word who was in the beginning, and by Him all things were made.

God’s child may be fearful about circumstances in his personal life, in the church, and in the world. But he need not fear that God’s purpose regarding his soul and the church will not be realized. Believers may feel like the captive Israelites in Babylon who hung their harps of praise upon the willows and wept at the state of Zion, but God will bring back His captive people and restore the desolation of Jerusalem. As frightening as circumstances may be in themselves, true believers have not to fear! Their Savior is the Lord of glory. He is the sovereign Ruler of all things.

World events, church developments, family or personal trials, or even conflicts in the soul will not threaten God’s purpose for His church. These things will serve His purpose. He will certainly cause all things to work together for good to them that love God. He is the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last. He is the Author, but also the Finisher, of their faith.

The prophet Isaiah wrote in the first verses of chapter 40 of his prophecies, “Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.” But the comfort for His people may not be applied to all men. It is not for the unbelieving world, nor for the mere professing church members, but for the true believing followers of Christ, for those in sorrow for their sins. They may flee by soul-saving faith unto Christ for forgiveness and for comfort from heaven. The Lord has made plain what the basis is for this word of comfort. God’s child’s comfort is based upon the Person and power of Christ Jesus. Don’t forget that the Lord tells us very clearly, “And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent” (John 17:3). It is a great wonder if we may know that—not with our mind, but with our heart. It would be for our eternal welfare.

May God’s people learn more and more that we often have to walk a steep and rugged road which requires toil and suffering. But even if it is the only way which leads us to our destination, the almost impassable road is nevertheless a good one, and we then become reconciled to our suffering. Then one may experience more and more “that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

Jesus told His disciples in John 10:28, 29, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.” Although death is the last enemy, if we may live near to God and have learned that safety is in Christ alone, then with Paul we can say with gladness of heart, “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”

But remember, dear reader, we are by nature dead in trespasses and sins. We are worthy of hell. We have not a penny to pay for the great debt which stands against us. God alone, through the work of the Holy Spirit, can tell us that there is a way of escape. That way is Christ alone, and there is none other.

We know that all things seem so impossible. All things seem to go against us, and it seems that our punishment awaits us every morning. Therefore it is very important that we learn that it is only naked sinners who can be clothed with the garment of righteousness which Christ has merited. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He is the center of all things. Therefore, shall it be well, seek by grace your safety in Christ, and Christ alone!

We wish for our fellow-travelers that we may be taught this out of heaven. It is a great miracle if we may say with heart and mouth, “I am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior.” More is not necessary; less is too short for eternity. May the Lord remember us all as we travel to eternity.

Rev. A.W. Verhoef is pastor of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation (Gereformeerde Gemeente) of Beekbergen, The Netherlands.

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