GOD'S PERFECT WILL

Passage: Romans 8:26-30

Key verse: 28

NIV

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit(A) himself intercedes for us(B) through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts(C) knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes(D) for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good(E) of those who love him, who[a] have been called(F) according to his purpose.(G) 29 For those God foreknew(H) he also predestined(I) to be conformed to the image of his Son,(J) that he might be the firstborn(K) among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined,(L) he also called;(M) those he called, he also justified;(N) those he justified, he also glorified.(O)

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Footnotes
  1. Romans 8:28 Or that all things work together for good to those who love God, who; or that in all things God works together with those who love him to bring about what is good—with those who
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For (A)we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but (B)the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And (C)he who searches hearts knows what is (D)the mind of the Spirit, because[a] the Spirit (E)intercedes for the saints (F)according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together (G)for good,[b] for (H)those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he (I)foreknew he also (J)predestined (K)to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be (L)the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also (M)justified, and those whom he justified he also (N)glorified.

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Footnotes
  1. Romans 8:27 Or that
  2. Romans 8:28 Some manuscripts God works all things together for good, or God works in all things for the good
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. The Spirit helps us in our weakness (26-28)

God's will for each person is that he be conformed to the image of his Son (29). It is more important than where we work, or who we marry. His Spirit is working in us for this purpose. We are spiritually so weak that sometimes we don't even know how to pray; but prayer is our lifeline to God. So God's Spirit prays for us according to God's will. When we commit our hearts to God, he uses every circumstance to build our character, to deepen our faith and love (28).

2. God works through the gospel (29-30)

These verses summarize gospel work from God's point of view. God wants to create a new humanity, a people of God who bear the image of his Son Jesus. He called us in love. When we responded in faith, he justified us through Jesus' blood and began the work of bringing us to glory through the resurrection power of Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, work out your perfect will in me. Mold me into the image of Jesus.

One Word: God works in us for good