Romans 8:28

Whilst I was reading a commentary on this verse, I was reminded of the times when people reassure a hospital patient or someone who has been in an accident, that they were not to worry as everything would be alright.

On a First Aid Course we are told to comfort the patient. If we were to see that they may lose a limb or that they had severe heart problems, although we may know nothing about surgery, our words are meant to instil confidence knowing that soon the surgeons would do their best. We wouldn’t be so cruel as to say, “You may lose a leg,” or “You may not recover from your heart attack.” To give words of comfort is the best thing to do, knowing that the patient will soon be in safe hands, although the outcome could be serious.

What does it mean to LOVE GOD ?

Although we may not know anything about the injuries, nevertheless we have done our best under the circumstances. But here in Romans Chapter 8 Paul is giving 100% assurance to Christians verse 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”.

Unlike ourselves at the scene of an accident, Paul spoke with authority. He was a man called by God and well aware of the blessings brought about through the sacrifice of our Lord. Because of his knowledge he could say with confidence, “All things work together for good to them that love God”. If you love God, then there is a relationship “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of God” (Romans 8:14).

The assurance that Paul gives in verse 28 cannot apply to everyone. It is directed at those who love God, and to those who are called according to his purpose. What does it mean to LOVE GOD? It means to be obedient to Him and obey His commandments. The scriptures tell us: “In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.”

Throughout his life, Paul was no stranger to suffering – persecutions and hunger. He accepted these things because he loved God and through his conversion he had been called to God’s purpose, which is that all the earth should be filled with His glory in a Divine, Eternal Kingdom. So, for those who are called of God and are baptized into the saving name of the Lord Jesus, all things work together for good. Good is the objective and reward. However, it is wrong to think that our life will be without difficulties and disappointments.

... It means to be obedient to Him and obey His commandments

Let us look at some passages of Scripture “Confirming the souls of the disciples and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulations, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

The “Good” of Romans 8:28 is not how much wealth we have, or our comfortable home or good health. It is conformity to Christ and acceptance at his hand to a place in the Kingdom of God. “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” v18. The good is summarized in vs29-30; “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”

All things will work together for good to those who love God

We have examples in the scriptures of the glories ahead. Consider the last words of David in 2 Sam 23:4-5 “And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain. Although my house be not so with God, yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.” There are two key words in v5: although and yet. We remember how David had sinned before God and the punishment he received, so he says that although his house was not perfect, yet God made a covenant with him. “All things work together for those who love God.”

Another example is Habakkuk 3:17-19 which records a disaster “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olives shall fail and the fields shall yield no meat, the flock shall be cut off from the fold and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation” The key word is yet. “The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instrument.”

Hebrews 12:1 is a great example we have of truly understanding that all things work together for good. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith: who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Very briefly, the writer to the Hebrews is exhorting us to prepare ourselves fully as in a race, to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. He lists only some of the dreadful things that our Lord endured, until he was put to death upon the cross. During his life, he endured the shame of it all; and he did it by faith in the promise of God, by which he saw the joy before him; and encouraged by this prospect, he was sustained and triumphed and is now at his Father’s side.

We may not be asked to give our lives, but we do have the example of the Lord Jesus to follow, and if we do this faithfully, then when our Lord returns to establish his Father’s kingdom, we pray that we may be invited to share in the glories that will be revealed. We will then fully understand that all things will work together for good to those who love God.

Bro Roy Soffe (Fareham, UK)