And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (NLT)
Believers in Rome to whom Paul penned this letter either were or would be suffering, else why his words in 8:18-25? And, contrary to the prosperity gospel, there is no indication that such suffering would be the result of some disobedience or unbelief on their part. That doctrine is more than nonsensical. It is even more than unbiblical. It is downright hurtful to those who are hurting, adding guilt to an already heavy load. But we move on.
First, remember to view 8:28 together with 8:29-30:
29 For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified.
That done, lets remind ourselves of what seem to be the salient aspects of Paul’s words. What can we see here? Consider the following:
- CERTAINTY. “We know,” says the apostle. We may not know the immediate reason(s) for our trying circumstances. (This can lead to the “Whys” of the preceding article. It is not that we suddenly have become unbelievers. It means that we are in a lot of pain and/or confusion, and not ourselves at the moment.) But the good news is that Paul assures us of something we can KNOW. How so? We can KNOW for a certainty that God is in control and at work on our behalf in it all. On what basis can we so know? Well, for one thing, God has a track record, a performance history of doing just that. Think of the many biblical situations wherein God worked all things together for His purpose and glory. Now, remind yourself that He is doing that now as much as He did then. Now, assure yourself that He is doing that for and with YOU. Trust Him.
- COMPLETENESS. So much of life can be uncontrollable, unpredictable, and unexplainable (inexplicable). “Everything” and “all things” being worked together can only be said of God. It can only be done by God. Ask Joseph if that is not so. Mark the numerous things “against” that man of God and see how the Lord made them “for” him. Mark Genesis 50:20. Perhaps that kind of thing is what Paul had in mind in this same text, vv. 38-39. Whatever your circumstances, God is not awed. He is awesome and able to work it together for your good. Trust Him.
- CAUSE. The real focus of this text is not trials, sufferings, setbacks, so forth. It is the God Who cannot be defeated or controlled by them. The issue is God! Settle that in your heart and thoughts, and experience His peace in the midst of it all (Philippians 3:5-6). Fix your mind upon the One Who can cause a glorious outcome for even the most forbidding situations in life. My trials will clamor for center stage. I am tempted to look at, give most attention to my pain, fear, negative situation, uncertainties. But He Who is the first Cause of all things is the Cause of my confidence. How does Psalm 23 begin? Check the first two words out of David’s mouth, then, pause in your heart to ponder it. Do it for yourself.
- CONDITION. The assurance of this great promise is for the one who loves God. Not that it depends upon the perfection of it, but the presence of it. I will be perfect in nothing I offer the Lord, but I can be pure in it. I will not allow my suffering to steal away my love for the God Who eternally has loved me. For that matter, it is not my love for Him that will sustain me through my trials. It is His love for me. Check out I John 3,4 on that. Remember the high premium Jesus placed upon this things of loving God – Matthew 22:34f? Well, it didn’t start with Him – Deuteronomy 6. It always has been that way with God and His own. No matter how many my hurts, fears, tears – I will love God. Trust Him.
- CONSEQUENCES. What is the “good” of 8:28? Well, I am sure it is more than I realize, but v.29 helps me with it in two ways. First, the “good” of v.28 is the fact that my sufferings are used by the Lord to shape me into the image of His Son. There is no higher good on earth than to be like Jesus, right? The aim of God’s working together all things on my behalf is not to make me happy or healthy. It is to make my holy: separated for the use and glory of His Son. Second, the “good” of v.28 is the fact that God’s eternal redemptive purpose for me already is activated and shall be fulfilled in His glory. The trials of this world cannot stop it. They cannot stop me in it. The consequence or outcome of it all shall be unspeakably blessed. Trust Him.
In His sermon on the Mount, the Lord spoke of the blessedness of kingdom-living in this world – Matthew 5. There is no greater life than that of knowing and trusting God. Yet, in the midst of that blessed walk with Him, the Lord readily acknowledged that there could be pain and suffering. Following Jesus is no vaccination against heartache and hardship. And Paul in Romans 8:28 is not promising anything different. But, as one who would ultimately suffer to the point of death, the apostle shares his supreme confidence that God is before, above, and after all that can come upon me in this life. That He alone shall have the last word in my case. That His purpose for me cannot be vetoed. And that I can know that as well as he had come to know it.
robert
