All Things for Good

Introduction

Well I have a few favorite verses for different situations. Matter of fact, I have very few favorite “verses”, but rather favorite “passages”. For instance, how could I quote Philippians 3:7: “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.” without quoting the rest of the passage. Or how could I quote James 1:2 without continuing into verses 3-11 and even beyond? But I do have verses that are singled out that help me such as Isaiah 26:3.

Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)

You will keep him in perfect peace,

Whose mind is stayed on You,

Because he trusts in You.

Romans 8:28 is one of these verses that I can see it by itself and have hope and peace in different situations, but of course it needs its fuller context to be rightly understood, amen? So, let’s look at that verse and then we can begin to unpack some of the things in the passage around it that has been beneficial to me and that I believe will be beneficial to you. Follow along with me on the screens as I read Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28 NKJV

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.

By itself, that’s a really helpful verse isn’t it? Yes it is. With this verse, I have three questions that I’m going to ask as we unpack the context surrounding the verse that I believe will be helpful as we meditate on this verse.

What Does “All Things” Mean?

Paul says that “all things” work together for our good, and we know that the one who is working all these things together is God and not some force within the universe. But when Paul says that “all things” work together, does he really mean everything in the whole universe? Does that mean if I go outside and pick a blade of grass from the ground that God is working that for my good? Well, God’s ways are above our ways and I do believe that God could surely work any of the things that we do and don’t do together for our good such as picking a blade of grass. However, Paul is zeroing in a something more specific. At the end of chapter 7 Paul makes the transparent declaring of himself by posing the question, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (v. 25). He then answers his own question as we heard pastor Stephen preach about this recently. When Paul turns the page and directs his focus to the climax he has been building to through the whole beginning of his book in chapter 8, he opens with this statement: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” (v. 1) For the sinner, we can rest assured that there is therefore now no condemnation if we are in Christ Jesus. That’s a simple equation for me: If I am in Christ Jesus, I don’t have any condemnation. Hallelujah and amen. Paul shows us that we are now free from that sin that dwells within us. We have died to sin and now we can live for the Lord. This is an amazing truth indeed. But notice that Paul says something interesting in verse 17: “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and join heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

Paul was just speaking of how we are free from sin, but then brings up suffering. Very interesting. Verse 18 starts this passage that leads us to one of my favorite verses. Take a look at verse 18: Romans 8:18

Romans 8:18 NKJV

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

That’s quite a statement! After showing us that we are freed from sin, Paul tells us that we will we one day leave these sufferings behind as well. That’s great news church. Th sufferings that you are now enduring will one day have an end as we step into glory. Ah! That’s enough to rejoice over, isn’t it? We could just chew on that verse alone for a lifetime and be “re-amazed” each day at its consistency. Even creation is groaning, and waiting for the “revealing of the sons of God according to verses 19 and 22. Even our bodies grown as they and we wait for the redemption of our bodies and the adoption according to verse 23. There is this direction of ourselves as believers and creation that is leading them to the day that it all ends, the day that our thirsty, panting souls will drink from the Living Water in glory.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

However, look at verse 28: Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28 NKJV

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.

Remember the question I asked earlier? What does Paul mean by “all things?” Surely, he could mean everything in the universe, and I believe that this verse reaches that far, but I also believe that the focus of this verse is in the suffering that Paul was speaking about in the previous verses. There are supporting verses regarding the “working together” part. Just look at verses 26-27 where the Spirit helps us by making intercession for us and verses 29-30 where God has predestined us based on His foreknowledge of us to conformed to the image of Christ and calls us, justifies us, and will one day glorify us. God foreknew, predestined, called, justified, and as we wait to be glorified, the Spirit makes intercession for us as God works our sufferings together for good.

You might ask, “So, what is your point?” That’s a great question. What shall we say of these things? Paul asks that same question. Here is his reply and the one I give to you: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (v. 31). Oh the wonderful works of God! How can we not give Him praise daily? God promises us that the sufferings that are experienced today are worked for the good of those who love God, who are the called according to His purpose. So, we established God’s work in here. This leads me to my next question.

Are You Part of “The Called?”

Notice the position that is given in this verse. It’s those who love God, and those who are the called. Are you one of the “called out ones?” In short, are you a believer? You can’t love God and be an unbeliever. If you look back towards the beginning of this chapter, the carnal mind is enmity against God. Those who have a carnal mind, which I would argue that unbelievers only have a carnal mind since the alternative is the Spirit with a capital ‘S’, are enmity against God. So loving God is only possible if you are a believer and this working of all things for good is reserved for those who are called. If your answer is “yes”, then rejoice friend because God is working all things for your good. If your answer is “no”, then it’s possible that God is bringing this opportunity to you now to see His goodness and respond to the Gospel. You are a sinner and have sin that must be paid for. Christ paid that price. He became sin so that those who put their faith in Him as Lord, what He did on the Cross, and His resurrection may receive everlasting life. Place your faith in Christ today. That’s the furthest this verse goes for you. Look at the lush garden on this side of the Christ. The sufferings that you’re going through, the sin you’re struggling with. Christ is the answer to them and the only hope you can have of overcoming any of them. If you’re a believer, then this verse is an ever present reality that you can rest in. There is one thing then to make sure of and this leads me to my third and final question...

Do You Love God?

Church… aren’t you glad that God works even when we are disobedient? This verse doesn’t say that God will only work things together for your good if you love Him. God will work all things for good. This love we have for Him is only possible because we have been made alive. However, let me encourage you that you, at the very least, will fail to recognize the reality of this verse if you don’t love God.4