Everything!
When I hear that word, I believe it’s an absolute. Everything means “every single thing”. There are no exceptions to the word. It’s an “all inclusive” word. Most words that I use have an exception or an option. It’s a challenge to wrap my mind around a word like this as it’s so encompassing and massive.
Paul is trying to communicate to the church in Rome the vastness of God’s Love and Mercy. He’s also addressing our purpose and our proper perspective while we are here on earth. Check this out…
33 Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!
34 For who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
Who knows enough to give him advice?
35 And who has given him so much
that he needs to pay it back?
36 For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. (Romans 11:33-36 NLT)
If I take the work “ands” out of the last verse, it makes it sound more absolute.
Everything comes from Him.
Everything exists by His Power.
Everything is intended for His Glory.
I’m so thankful for His mercy and grace toward me when I really goof this up. My actions and attitude should reflect the Glory of God. My life exists to bring honor and glory to Him. There are no exceptions to my choices, actions, and words – NONE. Everything I do, think, and say should bring honor to Him!
Pressing On!
Dwayne