We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8: 28 (HCBS)
Scripture: Romans 8: 18-30
At times, it seems like people think that only good things will happen to followers of Christ. This is because people misread Romans 8: 28. In this devotion, we will see that it means that, no matter what happens, God promises that it will be what believers need and it be what He needs to further His kingdom.
People sometimes misread Romans 8: 28. They take it to mean that God has promised to always give us good things. That isn’t exactly what it says. So, what does “all things work together for good” really mean?
Some people think that, once you become a Christian, it will be smooth sailing. I mean, we made the decision God wanted us to. Shouldn’t we be rewarded?
But it doesn’t work that way. Let’s look at a couple of things.
How do we learn? Most of the time, we learn through our mistakes and failures. Mistakes and failures hurt. They are embarrassing. They can be mind-numbing. They make our self-talk really start trashing ourselves.
Mistakes and failures make us say, “Ooo, I don’t want to do that again!” When we do something right, we will sometimes say, “Ooo, I need to remember that and do it again.”
Unfortunately, we focus on the negative so much, we forget about that positive. So, when something happens again, we are much more apt to say, “I don’t want to feel that way again” instead of “remember what I felt when …”
We go through the trials so that God can grow us. The hurt, embarrassment, and mind-numbing pain helps us grow in our faith and love for Him. We grow to be better people.
But there is more to that verse. When we look at Romans 3: 28, we kind of gloss over the “those who love God” and “according to His purpose” parts. Those are also important to the “good” equation.
It amazes me that some non-believers think they should be able to reap the benefits to Christianity without believing in God. I guess they think God works like the union. Unions always say they are fighting for better working conditions for all employees, not just those who pay union dues.
It doesn’t work that way. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6: 23 HCSB).
We do know that “… He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Mt. 5: 45 NKJV). But the Bible also says, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” (Jn. 3: 18 ESV). Those that haven’t professed their faith in God won’t always be rewarded here on earth either.
Whatever good is done is to further God’s kingdom. “For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose” (Phil. 2: 13 HCSB). He has a purpose and a plan for us.
But that purpose is a kingdom purpose. “Good” isn’t for us to win the lottery or even live happily ever after with our soulmate. The purpose is to be a witness for Him. It is about Him, not us.
Sometimes things that will eventually turn out good hurt for a while. Maybe we can’t see the reason why something is happening because it isn’t our reason — it’s God’s. We just have to take it on faith that God loves us and all things work together for the good of those who love Him.
Merciful Heavenly Father. You are a loving God. Your intent is to save as many people as who will put their trust and faith in You. In order to accomplish Your purpose, You use us. You grow us and equip us to perform our tasks. Sometimes that growing and equipping hurts, Lord — especially when we just see You as Someone who will only reward us. Help us to put our trust in You and Your divine Will. Amen.
What do you think? How do you interpret this verse? Leave me a comment below (about this or anything else) or head over to my Facebook group for some interactive discussion.
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