What Good? Revisited -‘A Friend’s Business’

The previous article, “What Good?” details some of Fred’s, hardships and his attitude. I wanted to revisit it.

Whenever someone suffers tragedy or loss, many are the ‘well-wishers’. Christians, non-Christians, friends even strangers telling them that, “The Bible says, “All things work together for good…”” A reference to Romans 8:28.

How often is that verse misquoted, and not an encouragement as much as a discouragement. Sorry, but telling a person that just lost a loved one ‘everything works for good’ can evoke all manner of negative feelings. Unless, one uses that verse for what it says, not what we ‘want’ it to say it can be more hurtful than helpful.

That begs the question, “Then what does that verse say?”
“Everything works together for good.” Is that what it says? Is that all it says?

Romans 8:28a, “And we know that all things work together for good”.

Romans 8:28b says, “…to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” There appears to be a discrepancy with the flippancy we use this verse.
Look at it more closely.

1. All things work together for good.
2. Condition: ‘to those who love God to those who are called according to His purpose’. Study reveals this is means ‘Christians’, not ‘everybody’.

The conclusion is then, “All things work together for good for Christians.”

However, we still have not defined “Good”. What is the “Good”? What Good is there in dying a long painful death? What Good is there in a terrible tragedy?
We need to look at the next verse to understand its meaning and promise.

Romans 8:29, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

Take out the parts that ‘identify’ that this verse is written to Christians. Two phrases remain, “to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” What does that mean? We know that brethren means - Christians, and we know ‘His Son’ and ‘He’ is - Jesus. “To be conformed to the image of Jesus, that Jesus might be the firstborn among many Christians.” ‘The Firstborn’ used in conjunction with Jesus, is an adjective ‘honorific’ - the first to be resurrected to glory, the highest, the greatest, the Christ.
“To be conformed to the image of Jesus, that Jesus, will be the Christ of many
Christians ‘in the family’.” That would be, “To be conformed to the image of Jesus, that Jesus, The Christ, will have many ‘in HIS family’”.

What does it mean then “to be conformed to the image of His Son”? That is straightforward, it means what it says, to become literally a ‘Christian’ a ‘little Christ’ not just a believer. There is a promise here. “To become like Christ so that Jesus, will be THE Christ of many ‘in the family’. Our becoming ‘like Christ’ results in ‘many brethren’.

There is the old saying, “You are the only Bible some people will ever read”. The promise is that our becoming ‘Christ-like’ will present an ‘example’ that will result in ‘many in the family’. That is a responsibility, and a privilege.

Verse 29 then says, “Christians are to become like Jesus Christ so that we result in Jesus being the Christ of ‘many in the family’”.

We take Verse 28: All things work together for good for Christians. Add to it Verse 29: To become like Christ so that Jesus will be the Christ of ‘many in the family’.
We now have a very pertinent promise and admonition:
Promise: All things work together for Good.
Condition: For Christians
Reason/Result: to be (made/become) more like Christ.
God’s Ultimate Purpose for everything that happens to Christians: So that Jesus will be the Christ of ‘many in the family’.

We now have a definition of the “Good”. The “Good” is so that Christians become more Christ-like, and in so doing, others come to know the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It does not mean that bad things will not happen to us. It does not mean that we fatalistically and blindly accept things. We no longer have to wonder why things happen; the answer is right there.

We have, in these two verses the ENTIRE purpose of the Christian life… Everything that happens to a Christian is for one purpose - to mold us into the image of Christ. That purpose is to set an example for others, so that they too may come to know Christ.

That is it - the entire Christian life - God’s Ultimate Purpose Revealed!

THAT is Good!

Friends, whatever happens - whether heartbreak or blessings - everything that happens, happens with that purpose. With that in mind, constantly seek to grow to be more Christ-like, to further the Kingdom of Heaven…

Jesus Christ tells us in John 15:15, “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.”

These verses in Romans tell us exactly what our ultimate purpose IS.

One of Jesus’ first statements sets the stage, “…Did you not know I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:49

Jesus Christ set the example - “Father, not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:39a

That is our Friend’s instructions for us…

Wild Weekend

Wow, it is Wednesday. This has been a tumultuous week.

Friday last, my best friend, D.L. went to the hospital for a ‘routine outpatient surgical procedure’. Arriving home from my own doctor appointment, I saw his and his wife’s trucks outside their house (they are my best friends and next door neighbors - makes things convenient). Calling to check on him, received the disturbing news that, “Something is not right!”

Later Friday night, he was an admit to the telemetry ward (one step below I.C.U.). It seems the ‘routine’ part of the surgical procedure was not.
He is bleeding internally. It is a dangerous and extremely painful situation. The doctors are trying to get the bleeding under control without emergency surgery, and seriously concerned about infection.
So there he is Saturday morning hooked up to every machine the hospital has got - looking like he is at death’s door - doped up - crying he is in so much pain.

First visitor Saturday, hoping, praying and willing for his recovery, I waited and watched, the only thing truly helpful I can do is pray.

Later in the day, he seems to be stabilizing. Taking a break to make room for the numerous other friends and family there to see him - and tired of seeing the serious concern on my face mirrored on theirs - I went to the hospital lobby.
Running headlong into a crowd, it was obvious someone had died. Not just someone, from the size of the group, someone well loved with many family and friends. The group extended outside; there were easily more than twenty people there. All of them deep in sorrow, tears flowed from just about every face, men, women and children.

Two thoughts struck in quick succession. The first was that I had not really thought about the ‘if’ of eternity when I was with D.L. I thought about the loss to Linda, his son, his family and to me, but I had not even considered the consequences of D.L.’s death and eternity. Simply because I know that D.L. is a Christian. I know he knows that Jesus Christ died on the cross for his sins and to cleanse him from all unrighteousness [1 John 1:9]. The thought never occurred to me to be concerned for his eternal welfare - because I already know.

The second thought that struck me was that the family that had just suffered the loss of a loved one was doing it without hope. It was obvious from every face that all they felt was pain, loss, helplessness and hopelessness. There was no one there even trying to offer solace that the deceased was ‘in a better place’. These people were lost and there was no comfort.

How sad. I am sure that at some huge memorial service someone will try to intimate that since the deceased was a ‘good person’, or a ‘good parent’, or a ‘good child’ or an ‘outstanding member of the community’ that the person is now ‘in a better place’. That by some virtue of their own they are somehow deserving of heaven… Sadly, some of the family and friends will take comfort in that thought. Sadly, few will consider the truth.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

D.L. is recovering and is now recuperating at home.
I am not.
Running into that family was a poignant reminder that there are people, our neighbors, friends, relatives or just acquaintances that have not heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Moreover, all of us are running out of time - to share it - to hear it…

What about me?

Recently I have been telling you about the two godliest people I know, my mother and step-father. I have been relating their hearts for God, and how each of them are continuing to persevere in being about our “Father’s business”.

I ended the article “What Good?” with this paragraph, “Friends, the next time you are faced with pain, heartbreak, or grief; the next time you are faced with trying to comfort someone going through a difficult time - think about these verses. Then ask how you grow to be more Christ-like, to further the Kingdom of Heaven…”

Jesus Christ set the example - “Father, not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:39a

Loren, a beloved brother in Christ, and author of the POLD blog has constantly been an encouragement in word and prayer… Last week he gently chastised me (deservedly so) for worrying about what is going to happen to my mom and step-dad with this verse, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34

The Message Bible (Remix) puts it like this, “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”

I went back and reread “What Good?” Something occurred to me. Romans 8:28 starts with this phrase, “And we know that all things…” We have already discussed what the “Good” is.

However, here is a thought that I am not sure I communicated…
I see how God is moving in Fred, my step-dad’s life. I see him as a godly inspiration on persevering to further the Kingdom of Heaven… Mom, also, her godliness, her spirit, her perseverance are inspirations. Their example humbles me.

But Loren, when he chastised me, pointed out a little simple something…
If “all things” is true - then what about me? What effect is “what God is doing right now” having on me? I have to look in the mirror and ask myself, “How is their experience making ME more Christ-like?” “How am I growing to be more Christ-like because of what they are teaching me?”

In other words, I have to stop ‘watching’ their inspiring story, and start living the lessons they are teaching. I have to stop asking myself if I could be as perseverant (NOT) and start becoming - so that I learn what God is teaching me. Yes, my folks are godly, but am I? Am I becoming more Christ-like, learning, and living their example and testimony?

In “Unbelievable” I wrote, “I just pray I have that kind of heart for God, and Christ-like attitude…” The truth is I will not if I do not start doing instead of watching. In “Unsung”, I wrote, “Every time I talk to her [my mom]; she tells me about something NEW she has learned from it. [The Bible]” Can she say the same thing when she talks to me?

An inspiration is only as good as it inspires… That is, if I do not change, becoming more Christ-like, then I am not truly inspired.

Developing a Christ-like attitude is not about watching, it is about doing…