For Him

A song comes on. I hear a common phrase for modern Christianity. “You make all things work together for my good.” Somehow what is Scriptural truth suddenly feels wrong. We have become a culture where everything is about “me.” Is God truly about “me”?

Colossians 1:16b says, that we were created “through Him and for Him.” “For Him.” Today in devotions I read that “David knew” that God had “exalted His kingdom for the sake of His people Israel” (2 Sam. 5:12). There is a bigger purpose than “me.” The “me” is still true. God loves “me,” but when the emphasis shifts from mankind or from the body of Christ to “me,” it starts to feed the selfishness that is so rampant in our culture.

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (NKJV). In my younger years, I often read out of the RSV version of the Bible which gives a whole different feel to this verse, saying “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.” This translation completely takes the “me” out of it. We work together with God for good. It does not say that God makes everything work for “my” good.

We live in a culture that struggles with entitlement and selfishness. Everything that doesn’t perfectly fit the whims of self is a wound. By taking these verses as all about “me,” we feed that selfish fire. Sure these truths apply all the way down to “me,” but in today’s world, “we” is much more helpful and healthy than “me.”

We are created through Him and for Him. David’s kingdom was raised up for a much larger purpose than David. It was not all about him. There are times in our lives that to say it is all about “me” just doesn’t work well. It may be more about my family or a friend at a particular moment. I may be called to sacrifice in a way that seemingly has no benefit to “me.” If we understand the justice of God, every sacrifice that does not benefit us now will be rewarded, if only in the next life. So yes … everything does benefit “me,” somehow, someday or some way if I walk according to God’s purpose.

We are created through Him and for Him. “We” is better than “me,” especially when the “we” includes God and the purposes He has to build His kingdom. For Him. Are you for Him today? Or do you get bent out of shape when it seems that He doesn’t work all things together for your good? Partner with God for good today!