All Things Work Together for Those Who Let God Love Them

"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." (Romans 8: 28)

Many read this passage, in one of the most resplendent chapters on grace, and still bring out an element of law in it.

All things do not work together for us because we love God, or as a response to our loving God.

Let us never forget that apart from Him, from Jesus, we can do nothing (John 15: 5)

In his poem on love, First Corinthians 13, Paul makes it clear that if we do not have love (not actively give it, but receive it), then we are nothing.

First Corinthians 13 speaks of God's love for us, for when we understand God's love for us, then we love Him in turn.

His love takes from dead sons of Adam to sons of God living and reigning in life (Romans 5: 17):

"1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not." (1 John 3: 1)

Now, some will still charge that we have to love God for things to work for our benefit.

Yet what is love? While First Corinthians 13 describes love, First John defines it:

"9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4: 9-10)

Love is not about our love for God, but His love for us. It could not be any simpler.

Yet if this revelation is still not enough, consider these passages:

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19We love him, because he first loved us." (1 John 4: 17-19)

Love is perfected in our identity in Christ, not our activity through Him (which was mentioned in 1 John 4: 9)

Last of all, "for those who love God" refers ultimately to those who have let God love them first, for He has called us, and made us sons, and one with His Son and in His Son Jesus! When we understand how much God loves us, then we love him -- and thus, all things indeed work together for our good.