According to His Purpose - Romans 8:28

Introduction

Verse 28 is a verse that many know and draw comfort from because it stresses the point that we can know that all things work together for good. Now, some misunderstand this verse and think it means that if you are Christian that everything in your life is going to be good, but that is not what this is saying. It does teach us that God is involved in our lives and though at times we will have bad things happen to us, when we look at the big picture, we will see that our connection with God will work out for the better in the end. If not in this life, it will certainly work of for the good in our eternal lives with God.

Sometimes, people will allow bad moments in their lives to cause them to leave God, but that should never be our attitude. There are so many examples we could use to show God making some good come out of something that could be perceived as bad.

First, is Joseph. He found himself sold into slavery by his brothers and even thought his dad had abandoned him, but in the end, God used this bad situation to make Joseph able to save the lineage of Christ. He was put in second command over Egypt, which caused his family to be saved from the famine that struck the land. It was a hard lesson for Joseph to accept, but he did and even told his brothers that their salvation was the will of God (Gen. 50:19-21).

Second, is Paul. He found himself in a lot of bad situations, but he could always see good in his circumstance. Many would view being locked up as a bad thing, but notice what Paul says about his imprisonment.

Philippians 1:12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Let’s never forget what Paul wrote in:

2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

This is something that only Christians can benefit from. As Paul wrote in our Roman text, God makes things work for the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Every person that becomes a Christian is called by the gospel (2 Thess. 2:14). When we love God and live according to His will, He will be there for us even when things are going bad. We can know that no matter how bad things get in this life, we have an eternal glory waiting for us in heaven.

2 Chronicles 32:6-8 6 And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying, 7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: 8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

2 Timothy 1:7-9For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,