All things are for Him and through Him
“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” – Colossians 1:16-17
Christ was present during creation, as part of the Holy Trinity. This verse adds that not only was Christ there but all things are created through and for him. Paul’s reason for making these claims is to demonstrate Christ’s power and love. To convince his readers to glorify God, as in Romans 11:36 “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”
If all things are through Christ and for Christ, we must remember to give glory to Him no matter the circumstance. Reality is the result of God’s plans for us, and though we may not understand due to our limited sinful human understanding of things, we know that he loves us.
Things will work out
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28, ESV
On the surface, Romans 8:28 seems a simple verse to understand. Love God, and things will work out well for you. However, this is not the case as “good” does not translate to our human and earthly understanding of the word. When we think “good” we understand it as going well or comfortable. The following verse, Romans 8:29, elaborates “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.”
“Good” here means that we will draw closer to parity with the image of Jesus the more we love God and obey him. Our takeaway is that love and obedience to God may not materialise goodness in the way we imagine, but instead draw us ever closer to him.
God’s will in our lives
“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.” Ephesians 1:11 ESV.
Sometimes, we can feel very overwhelmed by our responsibilities and forget that our sovereign and loving God and has a plan in store for us. Paul tells us here that our inheritance is predestined to us, in accordance with his will.
We should take comfort in this plan, especially in turbulent times such as these. Take heart, for though uncertainty and chaos may seem to surround us, our God will bring order in his own time.
Stay safe, be patient and remember that the Lord our God is our strength and shield.
Pray for all
1 Timothy 2:1 ESV: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.”
Paul’s instruction here is simple, pray for everyone, everywhere. Not forgetting about our neighbours as we draw close to God in our prayers.
The verse is followed soon after with 1 Timothy 2:3-4 which states “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.“.
Do you have any blind spots in your prayers? It can be difficult to identify things we are missing when we pray alone, and finding a partner to pray with can be helpful in finding our blind spots.
Paul calls us to pray for all. Today can think of something or someone you haven’t prayed for in a while and bring it to God.
Pray in accordance to His will
1 John 5:14 “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.”
To “pray according to his will” simply means to pray following the plans that God has laid out for us in his word. Ephesians 5:15-17 “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
As long as we do so, God will hear our prayer. Think back to your prayers this last week, have you prayed in accordance to His will? If not, what changes will you make to the way you pray?
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