God freely gives you all things

Romans 8:32 (NASB)

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 

The following is one of my favorite illustrations about the love of God, given by perhaps my all time favorite preacher (I was not a member of his church), the late Adrian Rogers of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, TN.

Suppose I approached you and told you that I wish to give you my son.  Not only am I willing to give you my son, but also I am willing to let you do anything you would like to do with my son, including mistreating him, hurting him, and eventually killing him.  Now, if I am willing to allow you to do all this to my son and then you ask me if you could have his toys and games and all other possessions, do you think that I would say “no” to you?  If I am willing to give my son to you and let you do whatever you wish with him, I am also willing to give you everything that is his. 

If God was willing to give His Son to be delivered to death for our sins, He is willing to give us everything else that belongs to His Son.  And what belongs to His Son?  Everything!  Read Colossians 1:16.  What “things” is Paul referring to?  In an earlier verse he wrote that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him…..” (Romans 8:28).  Later he wrote “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).  The Greek word for “things” is ‘pas’ in these verses and means ‘everything”.  In other words, there is nothing that God cannot give you, there is nothing that God cannot work through, there is nothing through or with which God cannot help you.

I heard a sermon many years ago where the preacher said that the three greatest needs all humans have are the needs of being, belonging, and becoming.  “Being” includes physical, emotional and spiritual health.  “Belonging” includes acceptance, security, community.  “Becoming” includes purpose, activity, and having goals.  All these “things” God will give to you because He has first given you His Son. 

Indeed, the number greatest need every human being was created to have is the need to have a relationship with his/her Creator.  God established that relationship in the beginning, but the sin of Adam and Eve broke it.  God re-established that relationship through the cross of Christ.  He “delivered Him up for us all” and now will freely give you whatever you need (not want) to have the quality of life God created you to have. 

Steve Green wrote and sang a most beautiful song, “People Need The Lord”.  Read and think over the words of his song (better yet, find the lyrics and enjoy this beautiful song with such a powerful message) and pray over the “things” that you need (again note that it’s not your wants, but your needs) from God through Jesus Christ.     

Everyday they pass me by, I can see it in their eyes. Empty people filled with care, Headed who knows where? On they go through private pain, Living fear to fear.  Laughter hides their silent cries, Only Jesus hears.

People need the Lord, people need the Lord.  At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door. People need the Lord, people need the Lord.  When will we realize, people need the Lord?

We are called to take His light to a world where wrong seems right.What could be too great a cost for sharing Life with one who's lost? Through His love our hearts can feel all the grief they bear.They must hear the Words of Life only we can share.

   People need the Lord, people need the Lord.  At the end of broken dreams, He's the open

   door.  People need the Lord, people need the Lord.  When will we realize that we must 

   give our lives for people need the Lord.  People need the Lord.