Everything is an Opportunity Part II

Everything is an Opportunity Part II

Yesterday we talked about finding opportunity in everything to share the truth about Jesus. Today we are going to look at another way that everything – both good and bad – has the potential to be an opportunity if we choose to use it as such. 

Today we will be looking at Romans 8:28-29. Now, if you want to hear an excellent sermon on this text follow this link: https://subspla.sh/qqwf3x4. Adam, our worship arts minister, delivered on this text and really dove deep into the point we are going to skim over this morning.

The text says this, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” We like to stop there! And you know why we like to stop there right? Because we want to define “good”! We want this verse to mean that if we love God enough, He will heal us or protect our employment or make sure this ministry works exactly as we envision it working. We want good to mean – if we love God enough, He will make our wishes come true! We often fail to read the next verse where God actually defines what “good” here means, and in doing so God is actually telling us what is best for us – better for us than anything we think we need or want. 

“For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son…” There it is, the point we want to make today is this: becoming more like Jesus is the best thing for you.

In Roman’s Paul is saying, “For those who truly love God – all things will work together to make them more like Jesus.” I love how Adam puts it in his sermon, he says, “…it seems that we see [becoming like Jesus] as some sort of goal to achieve instead of a gift that is being given to us by God. Because it is a gift. You see this is the greatest good God can do for you: make you like Jesus by any means necessary.” I love that!!! In our salvation we are given the righteousness of Jesus so that we might be saved, and we get to spend the rest of our lives learning how to be more like Jesus. Learning how to live out of power rather than fear, as sons and daughters of the Almighty God rather than slaves of sin and human understanding. We learn how to truly love and truly help people in eternal ways.

So, if Paul is right, and “all things” work towards helping us become like Jesus than so does this! The lock down, the job loss, the health struggle and more. All of these things have the potential to make us more like Christ if we love God -meaning we are looking to Him, seeking Him. 

I want to end with a few ways you can use this as an opportunity to become more like Christ.

Be present with your family. A good friend of mine posted on Facebook recently that this may be a time that teaches us to finally slow down and look at each other! Jesus was present with the people around Him – not always pre-occupied with worries or other things to be done. I like the language Mark uses when Jesus is with the Rich Young Ruler. Mark says, “And Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said to him…” Jesus looked at this young man long enough to know him and gave him a great gift: truth.

Be present with God. How many times do we have to say it? If Jesus had to often get away and pray than you better believe that we do! Are you tired of hearing that? Are you doing it? If you are racked with fear and worry, then might I suggest you are not in tune with the Holy Spirit in this moment? Take time every day, multiple times a day, and “Be still and know that He is God.” Let that truth wash over you and there you will find life and peace and your greatest good – to be like Jesus!

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