“And we are aware that all things work together for the good of those who love him, who have been called in accordance to his purpose.”(Romans 8:28)
This Scripture brings guidance, comfort and hope to Christians every day. Sadly, it’s also one of the most misquoted and misinterpreted verses in the Bible.
I’d like to share three things about this common verse you may never have noticed.
First, Romans 8:28 doesn’t mean we can live any way we desire, and God will fix our disarrays.
To understand the truth of Romans 8:28, we can’t just quote the part of the verse we like: “And we know that all things work together for good…” and ignore “to them who are called in accordance to his purpose.”
This verse says to those who love God and are doing their best to observe his commands, “Even though evil/miserable/immoral/wicked things will touch your life, I (God) will use them to eventually bring about good, both in your life and in the world.”
Second, Romans 8:28 say that God can use all things together for good. He didn’t say all things are good.
No matter how rose-colored our glasses are, there’s nothing good about tumor, sex trafficking, or death. Until Jesus lands and defeats Satan finally, sin will continue to drag its poisonous tentacles across our world, injuring and destroying everything in its wake.
The truth of Romans 8:28 remind us that although sin and Satan are powerful, God is more powerful; He is able to redeem and restore anything for our good and his glory. Things may not be pleasant and rosy, but God can, and will use things entirely for good.
The final thing you may never have noticed about Romans 8:28 and its accompanying verse, Romans 8:29 is the ultimate good God wants to accomplish in the lives of his children:
“For those God foreknew, he also fated to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (v. 29).
A brilliant Bible tutor once told me, “God sanctions everything into our lives for purposes—either to get us into a relationship with himself or, if we already know him, to make us more like his Son.”
As long as we dwell in this world, people will try to reconcile God’s sovereignty with humanity’s suffering. Verses like Romans 8:28 assure us that no pain is wasted, and God always work for our good and his glory. When we cannot understand why trials come and struggle to imagine that anything good can come from them, we can rest in the security that God is in control.
Also Read: How to Find and Fulfill Your Destiny
Please pray with me:
Father, sometimes I can’t comprehend how you can bring loveliness from the ashes of my life. I struggle to trust you with the broken pieces. You say in your Word that without faith it is difficult to please you, and I want to please you. I want to trust you. I want you to make me more like Jesus and use my trials for my good and your glory. Help me believe the promise of Romans 8:28. In Jesus mighty name, Amen.
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