The sermon this morning was on prayer. My pastor briefly refreshed last week’s theme on 3 John 2, and went on to point out how God knows our needs before we ask (Matthew 6:8). If that is true, then why does God want us to pray? Can’t he just provide for our needs and not require of us to ask Him? God, as with our salvation, do not want to force Himself upon us – He wants us to seek and desire what He wants to give. Well that makes a lot of sense. And prayer need not be long, be showy, be ….. substantiating with scriptures throughout. We ended with the congregation praying the prayer of Jabez.
We were also guided to meditate on Romans 8:32
32 “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
If the Lord gave us Jesus, surely he will freely give us all things!
There was the implication that “all things” includes Health and Wealth which humankind all need and desire. This is so smooth, so reasonable – just like many teachings and themes popularly followed by the Word of Faith proponents. As I sat listening, I wondered whether the text a ‘proof-text’ often cited by the WOF?
Returning home I read Romans 8. Could the “all things” in context referred to eternal and enduring inheritance like no condemnation, the Holy Spirit, sonship, hope, justification, glorification etc
Romans 8 is best understood in the context of the epistle, of the church in Rome and what the believers were going through.
And the emphasis on Health & Wealth in the “all things” in Romans 8:32 definitely is an attractive and compelling good news.
Then I suppose we need to be consistent. What about the “all things” in Romans 8:28 – do those things refer to good things?
28 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.
Hence, I need to be discerning. Is the WOF teaching a promise, a presumption or a preference?
Do I love Him, worship Him and follow Him for the ‘all things’ that He gives – H&W, or I love Him in spite of my health and my wealth, knowing that ‘all things’ work out for good.
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