Romans 8:28 (2)

Introduction

The first word in v.28, “and” is a conjunction that attaches what has been written to what is going to be written. When I was a kid, I watched Saturday morning cartoons, one of the commercials was sponsored by School House Rock. An episode of their’s was entitled “conjunction junction what’s your function.” Knowing the function of a conjunction, helps us to understand the relationship between two words, phrases, or as in this case, two thoughts.

The word “and” means “moreover.” It takes what was said, and adds to it.

The preceding thought - Romans 8:26–28 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

The Holy Spirit helps us with our infirmities -

Weak, sick, feeble, impotent

Usually, the idea is one of a physical ailment. However, there is a broader application to whatever it is that causes us to be frail, feeble, weak, sick, or strengthless.

It could include bad news from your doctor, employer, family member, stock broker, or mechanic.

It could be physical disabilities or emotional distress or depression.

The point is, whenever we are at a place of weakness, where we are not even sure how to pray or what to pray for, the Holy Spirit helps us.

He does not remove us from the situation,

but He intercedes on our behalf because not only does He have the mind of God, but He knows more about us than we know ourselves.

This truth speaks of a Christian who is vulnerable - exposed

When we are at a loss, not knowing what to say or how to proceed. The Holy Spirit prays for us - Moreover, while in this state, Paul wanted his audience to know another truth is working for us - Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

When you are hurting, going through a tough patch in your life, the floor underneath you has collapsed, please understand that God is actively working.

Know

There are two words for “know.”

Experience

Intuitive, perceptive, instructional

The word Paul chose was intuitive, perceptive and instructional.

Why? We need to put some context to this

Experiential knowledge

1 Corinthians 2:14 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

Romans 10:19 “But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.”

“Did Israel fail to know?”

Much of Christianity is about experiential knowledge:

Ephesians 3:19 “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

Philippians 3:10 “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”

However, when you get to arguably the most important verse in all the Bible for the Christian who is hurting beyond measure the word for “know” is not experience.

Would not life be easier for the Christian if the word was experiential?

You know all things work for good because you have experienced this truth every time.

This is what the Word of Faith movement teaches: We have to be careful not to view God’s word through the lens of the Word of Faith movement. The Word of Faith movement is a fairy tale religion.

We love the Daniel in the Lion’s den story, David and Goliath, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, Israel crossing the Red Sea. And, this is how we want our story to end.

But what if the story does not end that way

Hebrews 11:36–39 “And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:”

The point is we may never see or know how God has turned an event into good for those of us who love Him. Therefore, the key is believing without seeing.

Understand Paul’s point, even if we never see how past negative events have been turned for good, we do know they have been for our good.

Why? It is not because of the anecdotal stories we read in the Bible. It is because of God!

Who is God?

God makes all things work for good to them who love Him.

So, in your weak moments, when you do not think that there is any hope in the particular situation you are going through, understand that God is turning the hopeless moment into a beneficial moment.

This truth is designed to encourage us as we go through the storm that batters our ship, and not to remove us from the storms.

What does this mean?

It is not our situation that brings hope.

Illustration: I do not see how this can be turned into good.

Infinite God in power, planning, purpose and love brings hope - through and not out of situation.

Do you believe this to be true?

Romans 14:23 “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”

I do not need faith when things are going well but when they are not going well.

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Do you believe God to be who He says He is?

If you do not believe God is who He says He is then your life will be miserable because you have to exert energy to deny God is who He says He is.

Romans 1:18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”

You are believing Satan who hates you instead of God who loves you.

Love

Truth is, it is more than believe - it is love

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

The love that Paul used is selfless love -