58. All Things New (Redemption Intro)

“Christ became for each of us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).

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A few years ago I read Abba’s Child by Brennan Manning. In that book he reminds us of some of the perplexing truths in Scripture—

* “All things work together for the good” (Romans 8:28).

* “All things are made beautiful in His time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

Notice— Paul (who wrote Romans) does say that all things are good. Rather, he contends that all things— even the worst of all things— work together in our favor.

Manning suggests this includes the horrible things other people (i.e., government officials rolling over and asking for payoffs in order to follow the laws they’re elected to actually adhere to, people turning against us), as well as the sins we commit.

Even then, at our own worst moments, God works on our behalf.

Though waiting is often involved— and thew “new” doesn’t appear overnight— God often uses these times to impart something to us that can’t be acquired ay other way.